Join Claire-Louise Hardie and learn how to tailor your very own fit buddy with an adjustable mannequin and begin making garments exactly the way you want.
“Arrived at the class not knowing anything about toile construction…in my head it was a thing that very experienced people did…Came away confident with my new found skill. Let the fun being!”
Frustrated that you can never find patterns in styles you like, or do you find your body is not a standard size?
Why not learn the art of pattern draping and make a torso block tailored exactly to your own fit buddy with.
Over this weekend course you will measure yourself and create your own body double mannequin based on your measurements. Bring your own mannequin and the first part of the class will be dedicated to padding and shaping your mannequin to be the perfect fit buddy that you can take home.
During the second part of the class, you’ll learn the basics of draping and create a dress (torso) pattern block, tailored specifically to your body.
From your block we’ll make a fitting toile which will be fitted to you, and then alterations to the block will applied before it’s finalised and there will be time to work on some fun draping exercises too
Using your pattern block and your mannequin you can begin to draft your own patterns in any style you like. It’s also a great tool for making adjustments to commercial patterns too.
Our sewing classes are relaxed and friendly, taking place at our beautiful studio at Holme Grange Craft Village in Wokingham, Berkshire. Students get to use our brand new digital Janome sewing machines and class sizes are capped at 8 to ensure everyone gets the time and attention they need.
Please note we are a Covid-19 Secure Further Education venue and have implemented all government guidelines. Please see our FAQ’s page for further information.
In this class you will learn:
- How to take your own accurate body measurements
- How to pad and shape your mannequin so it’s an accurate fit buddy
- How to drape a torso/dress block based on your own unique measurements
- Making a muslin or toile (a mock-up version of your pattern)
- Simple pattern adjustments and manipulations