Drafting Your Own Patterns Level 2

On this course we teach you how to make the basic body shape top or dress block pattern for your unique figure that you can then design into shirts, bodice tops, blouses, camisole tops, dresses - any style of top or dress you can come up with, let your imagination run riot!
You could choose to draft trouser block instead and adapt to different styles of trouser - or do this on our Making Trousers that Fit courses

You'll draft a block (basic fitted shape pattern template) from your own body measurements, then learn how to adapt it into different designs...The content of this course is for those who have already drafted a skirt block from their measurements with us on our Introduction to Fashion Design & Pattern cutting lessons (or elsewhere) or have a good level of experience of working with bought dressmaking patterns. We will focus on the creation of a block pattern and getting the right fit on your unique body shape in order to therefore get a great fit with every subsequent design and pattern you make using this block

Dates:
This course is now available in private one-to-one lessons rather than a group course. We can do dates to suit your schedule from our classroom in Hove - we may be able to come to you depending on your location and available workspace. Either book Book a 4 hour one-to-one lesson to draft your bodice/dress block, then see how many more one-to-one's you need to get your finished block completed - this will depend on adjustments needed to get a good fit, speed of learning etc. We can offer as many sessions as you like, helping you make full size patterns for your own designs including costumes if desired. 
To see prices of one-to-one lessons click here

Dress block pattern cutting sewing course Brighton
 

Course content (in one-to-one lessons):

Block making and adjustments  for dress/top - will be similar for trouser block making (4-8 hours):
  • Measuring up and drafting your bodice block with sleeves
  • Checking all block measurements fit your body allowing for 'ease'
  • Converting the block to a toile pattern 
  • Sew the toile 
  • Fit the toile and mark any adjustments to pattern
  • Extend pattern into a dress if desired & re-toile to check fit/adjust pattern accordingly
 
Design and final garment (4+ hours):
  • Look at top and dress designs and how we create them from your finished block (make miniature theoretical patterns for your reference)
  • Re-make toile for HW if neeeded
  • Choose from your design ideas (from Pinterest, sketches, magazine cuttings) which one you would like to make a full size pattern for
  • Mock up your chosen design in mini. Discuss fabric choice, interfacing, sewing order etc
  • Start make full size pattern for final top or dress
  • Toile full size pattern if finished or make in inexpensive good fabric
  • Fit full size pattern toile and mark any alterations/re-cut pattern where needed
  • Re-make final pattern in correct fabric with us or at home

Ongoing skills:

  • We may also be able to offer grading skills (making different sizes from your final patterns eg for manufacturing to sell garments) 
  • We can also help you draft other garment types - trousers, sportswear etc - or you may have a go at home with your own bought copy the pattern cutting book we use

Book one-to-one lessons here to do this course or the first level pattern drafting making a skirt block. You could just book the first 4 hours and see how far you get before booking the rest, or book a few four hour sessions - we can advise by email or phone based on what you want to cover in your lessons

Questions? Email us here