Dressmaking

A twoweek dressmaking session where you can come and work on your own choice of project. This class is suitable for all levels and we are happy to give advice on good projects to tackle depending on your level.

You will be given full tuition on how to lay out and read patterns, on cutting out and tackling different fabrics, and on sizing and fitting. 

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.

 Start learning to make your own patterns using your own measurements and create a skirt block.

You will learn to make a skirt from your own measurements and then use this to make a toile sample. Take your made-to-measure pattern home to make more!

Come and spend a whole day dressmaking with like-minded people, bring whatever project you would like to work on and get help with new techniques and fabrics. Suitable for all levels.

Winner of the Great British Sewing Bee, Heather Jacks, comes to Leicestershire Craft Centre to share her knowledge and couture sewing skills.

In this one-day workshop, bring along a pattern (vintage or modern) and fabric of your choice - if you can have your fabric already cut out, this will allow you more sewing time on the day - and let Heather guide you through the dress making process showing you the delights of couture!

Ideal for those who are relatively new to sewing who want to know how to do things 'properly' and also those who are more experienced who want to go to the next level and learn some couture techniques for a fantastically professional finish!

A block of six evening sessions where you will learn 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 give what help you need at each stage, whether you are a complete dressmaking beginner and just starting your exciting journey in making your own clothes, or whether you have some dressmaking experience and would like to further your skills.

You will need to bring your own pattern, fabric, thread and notions to this course. We have eight wonderful Brother sewing machines to use for this course, so you don't need to lug your machine here each week (unless you want to, of course!). We will also supply a sewing kit to use in the class (scissors, measuring tape, etc), so you have everything  you need to make a fabulous garment.

We sell patterns and fabric at the Craft Centre, so if you want advice on suitable projects to begin with, please come and visit and we can help you find something suitable.

Would you like to learn to successfully pattern match your fabrics when you dress make?

This full day workshop will teach you how to get the perfect finish when pattern matching fabrics.

We will make a simple A-line skirt with pockets - you will be given a choice of fabrics to select before the workshop (price included in the cost of the course), and you will be shown how to lay out, cut out and sew so that you can get the perfect pattern match.

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? Book both bodice and sleeve courses for £100 - call us on 01858 466692 to claim this special price.

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.

Recommended for experienced sewers.

Attend both days for the special discounted price of £100 - call us on 01858 466692 to claim this special price.

Come and perfect putting in an invisible zip - once you know how to do it, you'll never use ordinary zips again! You'll be shown how to put in an invisible zip in garments both with and without a seam to match. Then you'll make your own samples to take away!

When you are dressmaking, choosing the right fabric for your project is a very important part of the process for ensuring a successful outcome.

This session, will help you learn more about the different fabrics out there, and when to choose them. You'll also be given tips on how to best to handle tricky fabrics for a great finish.

A full day workshop where you will make either a lovely child's dress, or a great adult's shift dress from start to finish under the guide of our expert tutor. We provide a pattern, but you need to bring some fabric of your choice. You will go away with the ability to begin making more clothes for yourself, friends or family. Basic knowledge of a sewing machine is required.

You will need 2.5 metres of cotton for an adult dress, 1m for a child's dress and matching thread.

We have a nice selection of fabrics available to buy at the Craft Centre on the day.

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 tunic almost entirely on your overlocker. 

We have four 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 2 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.

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

This is a full day course where, in the morning, you will make your own block of a pair of trousers using your own measurements. Then you will use your own pattern to make a toile sample in the afternoon. Take it home and you can continue making your own made-to-measure trousers that fit perfectly!

It is advised that you have some sewing experience or have attended our Beginners Pattern Cutting course as this is a more complex project. 

All materials are provided, but please bring your lunch.

Spend a session learning to cut a pattern and sew a simple A-line skirt. A great introduction to dressmaking.

You will need to bring 1.5 metres of dressmaking fabric (either 115cm or 150cm wide), a 7 inch zip and matching thread. Mediumweight cotton is advised. Please avoid stretchy or very heavy materials. 

We do have a nice selection of fabrics here at the Craft Centre so you can come and choose on the day or click here to browse our fabrics and order ready for collection on the day.