Dressmaking

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.

Come and spend a day dressmaking with Katharine. You can bring whatever project you like, and get help with what ever techniques you need. It's a great opportunity to learn some new things in a friendly, sociable environment with like-minded people. Plus we'll have lots of tea and cake!

A block of four 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.

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 £120 - 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!

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.

A fabulous beginners make, this A-line skirt flatters every size and shape. You will make a knee length skirt with darts, invisible zip and facing.

We are so delighted to have Mark Francis, a Great British Sewing Bee Quarter Finalist in Series 6, join us for a Tie Making Workshop.

Learn how to make this classic piece of menswear, and get all the inside gossip on the Sewing Bee!