CLASSES – book 1 class or a group of classes
- Sewing Machine and Overlock – Get to know how to use your sewing machine and the different stitches it offers. How to thread machine and deal with problems.
- Get to know your Fabrics – You can take a class for this too, prior to fabric shopping.
- Yardage Requirements – How to work out how much fabric you’ll need to buy.
- Matching the Pattern on Fabric – When you are working with a fabric that has a pattern, you need to cut out fabric carefully and then line up the pattern at edge when sewing together to gain an uninterrupted pattern on garment.
- Store bought Pattern – How to read and understand the instructions of a store bought pattern.
- Fabric Layout and Cutting out Pattern – It is important to get the layout of fabric correct so that you are working with the grain of the fabric and just as important when you position your pattern pieces on for cutting out.
- Seams and French Seams – How to sew seams keeping within the seam allowance, sew French seams and finishing techniques.
- Insert Zip – Once you know how to do this you’ll be able to apply to lots of your projects.
- Insert Sleeves – This can be tricky for a novice but once you know you will be a master at it.
- Welted Pockets – Welted pockets placed in different places can make your design extra special.
- Collars and Cuffs – Learn how to make your collar and cuffs properly so that you have lots more options for your designs.
- Necklines – There are more than the obvious shapes and can make a garment design unique.
- Buttons and Buttonholes – How to correctly mark out your button positions; sew your buttonholes and buttons to complete.
- Darts and Placement – How to add darts to an existing garment for better fit and the best way to sew darts for seamless shaping.
- Front and Back Panels – Panels replace a dart and give a sleek look to a fitted garment. How to sew these together successfully.
- Cushions – There are many styles of cushions which you’ll just love.
- Bench pads – These are tricky to sew as they have long sides but there is a way to make the perfect boxed bench pad for your comfort.
- Tableware – You can choose what you want to dress your table for those special dinners with family and friends.
- Curtains – Perhaps you would prefer to have bespoke curtains made of that fabric you were checking out.
- Duvet covers and bed linen – Bespoke duvet covers allow you to have something no-one else has and you can choose the fabric to match your décor!
- Yardage Requirements – This will show you how to work out how much fabric you’ll need for the project.
- Personal Projects – You might have a sewing project that you have been grappling with. I might be able to help you with this.
- Pattern Cutting
- Garment Construction
Fashion Design – Pattern Cutting – Garment Construction – Finishing Technics
Below is process that goes into designing a garment:
Garment Design Many designers are inspired by other garments they see. A good way to find inspiration is to look through magazines or go window shopping. Take a photo so that you can refer to it when you are taking decisions as to how you want your unique design to look. Now design by drawing and taking notes on the shape and detail of your design.
Pattern Cutting Now that you have decided on your design it’s time to draft the pattern using a set of measures.
Sample Making Once you have drafted your pattern, you want to make a sample to check for fit and anything that doesn’t look correct. You can then amend and complete your pattern draft.
Choosing Fabrics It’s very important that the right fabric is chosen for the type of garment you are making. If the incorrect fabric was used, it will change how the garment looks and drapes. A good way to get to know your fabrics is by familiarising yourself with what the differences are. You want to consider the weight of the fabric and how it moves and drapes.
Pattern Layout Next step is to lay your fabric out so that you can place your pattern pieces on top. Good rule of thumb is to place the larger pieces first and then place smaller pieces around them. You can pin the pattern pieces onto the fabric or use weights. Make sure that you lay the pieces where the grain line is parallel to the selvage of fabric, making the most of the fabric and as little fabric waste as possible.
Cutting Fabric Taking tailors chalk, trace around the edge of the pattern pieces so that once you have removed them, you have the chalked mark which you will cut around. Before removing pattern pieces, make sure you have also marked any internal points for darts, pockets etc.
Sewing This is where you will be joining up shoulders, sides and making up the smaller pieces to attach to the garment e.g. cuffs, collars and pockets. You will learn by making up your first garment. Note that you need to press each seam sewn as you go!
Finishing Finishing a garment is important and will cover things like taking up your hemlines, pressing, adding buttons and buttonholes and any other embellishment desired.