Introduction to dress making

Master a lifelong skill this May for just £165. Over six weeks of 2.5-hour sessions (£11/hour), you’ll trade fast fashion for self-sufficiency—moving from machine basics to professional garment construction. Your fee includes 15 hours of expert tuition, full studio equipment, and all essential haberdashery. Don’t just buy clothes that "almost" fit; learn the architecture of sewing to create, repair, and tailor a wardrobe that is uniquely yours.

• No "Home Work" Stress: 2.5 hours gives us enough time to finish each stage in class.
• Spring-Ready Projects: We focus on breathable fabrics (cotton, linen, chambray).
• Small Community: Meet fellow North East creatives in a relaxed, social environment.
• Bervages

We provide all the "hidden" essentials so you don't have to worry about the technical bits. Your £180 fee covers:

• Thread & Bobbins: Unlimited use of high-quality Gutermann (or similar) polyester threads in various colours.
• Machine Use: Full use of our modern, easy-to-use sewing machines (though you are welcome to bring your own if you’d like to learn on it!).
• Specialist Tools: Access to fabric shears, rotary cutters, pattern weights, heat-erasable marking pens, and measuring gauges.
• The "Support" Materials: * Interfacing: Professional-grade iron-on stiffener for waistbands and facings.
• Elastic: High-quality non-roll elastic for your first garment.
• Tracing Paper: For those who want to preserve their patterns without cutting them.
• Practice Fabric: Calico or cotton scraps for your Week 1 & 2 "stitch trials.
• .

Because everyone has different tastes and body sizes, please provide the "fashion fabric" for your main project. This ensures your finished garment is exactly your style!

For Week 3, you will need:

1. Main Fabric: Approximately 1.5m – 2.5m (we will confirm the exact amount in Week 1 based on your size).
2. Recommended for May: Linen blends, Cotton Poplin, or Chambray.
3. Matching Thread: If you have a very specific or unusual fabric colour you want to match perfectly.

Week 1: The "Machine Whisperer" Bootcamp 7th May

• The Anatomy of a Machine: Learn exactly what every dial, lever, and button does.
• Winding & Threading: Master the bobbin and top-thread until it becomes second nature.
• Precision Driving: Practice "stitch control" on paper and fabric—learning how to turn 90° corners and navigate tight curves without losing speed.
• Troubleshooting: Why is the thread bunching? How do I change a needle? We’ll cover the "Why" so you never feel stuck at home.

Week 2: Seams, Steams, and Samples 14 May

• Joinery Techniques: Create a "stitch library" of samples, including standard seams and the luxurious French Seam (perfect for the light, airy fabrics we use in May!).
• The Power of the Iron: Learn why we spend as much time at the ironing board as the sewing machine. We'll cover "pressing for shape" vs. "ironing for flat."
• Edge Finishes: How to use the Zig-Zag stitch or an Overlocker to ensure your clothes look as neat on the inside as the outside.

Week 3: The Blueprint (Pattern & Prep) 28th May

• Cracking the Code: Reading a commercial pattern envelope (understanding "ease," "seam allowance," and "notions").
• Finding YOUR Size: We’ll take professional body measurements to ensure you cut the size that actually fits you, not just your high-street shop size.
• Cutting with Confidence: Layout, pinning, and using fabric shears correctly to avoid jagged edges.

Week 4: Architecture of a Garment 4th June

• Stay-Stitching: The "secret" step that stops necklines from stretching out of shape.
• Darts & Gathering: How to turn a flat piece of fabric into a 3D shape that curves around the body.
• First Assembly: Pining and basting the main panels together for our first "try-on" session.

Week 5: Structure & Waistlines 11 June

Casings & Channels: Creating the perfect tunnel for elastic or drawstrings—the most beginner-friendly way to get a perfect fit on skirts or trousers.

• Interfacing: Learning how to add "bones" to your fabric to make waistbands and necklines stay crisp and professional.
• Fit Adjustments: Identifying where to take a garment in or let it out for your specific comfort.

Week 6: The Professional Reveal 18th June

• Hemming 101: From a sturdy machine hem to the "invisible" hand-stitch.
• Bias Binding: A beautiful, colourful way to finish raw edges on summer tops.
• Garment Aftercare: How to wash and press your handmade clothes so they last for years.
• Show & Tell: A celebratory look at everyone's finished pieces!

• No "Home Work" Stress: 2.5 hours gives us enough time to finish each stage in class.
• Spring-Ready Projects: We focus on breathable fabrics (cotton, linen, chambray).
• Small Community: Meet fellow North East creatives in a relaxed, social environment.

Any questions, contact me directly via [email protected].

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High Bridge Works, 39 High Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

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