Dressmaking

Join Katharine for an immersive dressmaking experience - bring your choice of pattern and fabric and get all the expert help you need on measuring, fitting, techniques and working with different fabrics. Plus lunch, tea & coffee and lots of chat and laughter along the way.

What's included in the price? Tuition, use of our sewing machines, overlockers and faciities for 2 days. Lunch, tea, coffee and biscuits. 10% discount on anything in the shop.

Overnight accommodation can be included for you - please get in touch and we can book it for you.

Bring your own dressmaking project, and we will guide you through the process of cutting out, fitting and sewing.

This class is suitable for all levels. If you are a beginner, we are happy to advise you on suitable patterns and fabrics to start with. If you've made lots before, then choose some more challenging garments or trickier fabrics, and we'll help you build up your skills.

Bring your own pattern and fabric and embark on a dressmaking project in this lovely, relaxed class with full tuition. This course is suitable for all levels from complete beginner to those looking to work with trickier fabrics and techniques.

We sell patterns and fabric at the Craft Centre and we are always happy to advise you on suitable projects and fabrics to choose. Just pop in and have a chat with Katharine or Hannah.

Suitable for all levels.

Please Note: This course is currently full and has a waiting list - please contact us to register your interest.

Join us on all three of our Pattern Cutting Workshops - Trouser, Bodice and Sleeve and get a 10% discount across the workshops. Small groups and personalised fitting from Katharine means you can learn a huge amount about the shape of your body, and the alterations you need to do to make perfectly fitting garments.

We have two great hotels very close to the Craft Centre, where accommodation can be booked if you are coming from further afield:

The Three Swans Hotel & Restaurant - Market Harborough, Leicestershire

Travelodge | Market Harborough hotel - Market Harborough hotels

Feel free to contact us if you have any queries about coming to the area. Alternatively if you prefer to do single days of this course, you can book them separately.

This one day course will show you how to use your own measurements to draw a fitted bodice block. This will then be used to make a toile, which we will further fit and you will be shown how to transfer changes back onto your pattern.

This course is suitable for those with existing sewing knowledge who want to understand more about their own body shape and made-to-measure dressmaking.

Why not add on the Sleeve Block the following day?

If you have completed our bodice block pattern cutting course, come and learn how to draft the sleeve to go with it.

You will need to bring your bodice block with you, or attend the bodice block course on the previous day to be able to do this course. Once completed, you will know how to draft a sleeve for any garment using a few simple measurements!

Recommended for experienced sewers.

Do you struggle to find well-fitting trousers on the high street? Then this is the course for you! 

Using your own measurements, we will draw a trouser block pattern - flat-fronted with a dart and side zip. We will then make this up in a calico toile, make any adjustments and transfer those back to your pattern. So at the end of the day, you should go away with a usable trouser block pattern.

This course is suitable for those with sewing experience.

All materials are provided, but please bring your lunch.

Come and spend a relaxing and enjoyable day learning how to Make a Kimono Style Jacket to your own measurements. With expert pattern cutter Cath McBean, you'll be show how to measure, cut and piece your garment.

You will need to bring your own fabric for this course and will be sent the requirements closer to the time.

This five week course will teach you how to follow a dressmaking pattern and make an item of clothing of your choice (it doesn't have to be a dress!) guided by our expert dressmaker. We will teach you how to measure yourself properly and cut the correct garment size out; how to read your pattern and what the terminology means; and help you fit your garment properly along the way.

This class is suitable for all levels of sewist, including beginners. If you haven't sewn clothes before, please get in touch so we can advise you on a suitable first project and fabric.

This course is FIVE Evening Sessions. You will need to bring a pattern, fabric, thread and notions of your choice - we have plenty available at the Craft Centre to choose from if you wish - but we provide all tools and sewing machines.

This is the perfect way to get to grips with overlocking - learn how to use your overlocker to create a fabulous garment!

Using Japanese pattern cutting techniques, you will measure and make a flattering jersey t-shirt almost entirely on your overlocker. 

We have five overlockers available for use at the Craft Centre, so if you want to use one of these, please call us to reserve one. Otherwise, please bring your own machine.

You will also need 1.5 metres of jersey fabric. We recommend a ponteroma or double knit jersey if you have never worked with jersey before. We do have a selection here at the Craft Centre which you can buy in advance, or on the day.

This five week course will teach you how to follow a dressmaking pattern and make an item of clothing of your choice (it doesn't have to be a dress!) guided by our expert dressmaker. We will teach you how to measure yourself properly and cut the correct garment size out; how to read your pattern and what the terminology means; and help you fit your garment properly along the way.

This class is suitable for all levels of sewist, including beginners. If you haven't sewn clothes before, please get in touch so we can advise you on a suitable first project and fabric.

This course is FIVE Evening Sessions. You will need to bring a pattern, fabric, thread and notions of your choice - we have plenty available at the Craft Centre to choose from if you wish - but we provide all tools and sewing machines.

Bring your own choice of pattern and fabric and be guided through the dressmaking process  by industry expert, Cath McBean.

This is suitable for all levels of sewist. If you are new to dressmaking, we advise that you come in and chat to us about suitable patterns and fabrics for a first project.