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The A-Z of Pattern Cutting Summer School - FULL COURSE

The A-Z of Pattern Cutting Summer School - FULL COURSE

$311.00 USD
$311.00 USD
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Taxes included.

Join us this summer as we draft our way through the alphabet!

Across four live online sessions, we'll teach you everything you need to know about drafting your own patterns step-by-step - combining essential theory with practical draft-alongs you can follow in real time.

This course is designed to build both your knowledge and your confidence as we believe the best way to learn is to do! By the end, key techniques will feel like second nature, giving you the skills to design and sew a wardrobe that truly fits you.

Everything will be recorded and hosted in our private online community where you can continue to ask questions and receive feedback, if you can't make the live dates.

Live Session Dates

Sunday 24th May 10am-5pm UK Time

A-F 

A is for A-LINE SKIRT, B is for BLOCKS, C is for COAT + COLLAR, D is for DOUBLE DART DRESS, E is for EASE, F is for FABRIC

Sunday 21st June 10am-5pm UK Time

G-L

G is for GATHERED BLOUSE, H is for HOODIE, I is for INTERFACING, J is for JACKET, K is for KILT, L is for LININGS

Sunday 26th July 10am-5pm UK Time

M-R 

M is for MAC, N is for NECKLINES, O is for OFF-THE-SHOULDER DRESS, P is for POCKETS, Q is for QUILTED GILET, R is for RUFFLES

Sunday 23rd August 10am-5pm UK Time

S-Z 

S is for SLEEVES, T is for T-SHIRT, U is for UNDERWEAR, V is for V-NECK PINAFORE, W is for WRAP DRESS, X is for 'X-RAY VISION', Y is for YOKES, Z is for ZIPS

You can sign up for the full course, or pick and choose individual day sessions by clicking here, if you prefer.  

View full details

WHAT YOU WILL GET

  • By the end of the course you will be able to draft, from scratch, to your own measurements:

    • an A-Line skirt
    • a Coat with a collar
    • a Dress with multiple darts
    • a Gathered neck blouse
    • a Hoodie
    • a Jacket
    • a Kilt
    • a Mac
    • an Off-the-Shoulder dress
    • a Quilted gilet
    • a T-Shirt
    • a bias cut Underwear slip
    • a V-neck pinafore
    • a Wrap dress
    • a shirt with a Yoke

  • We will also have covered individual in-depth sessions on:

    • Blocks
    • Ease
    • Fabric
    • Interfacing
    • Linings
    • Necklines
    • Pockets
    • Ruffles
    • Sleeves
    • "X-Ray vision" - to be revealed!
    • Zips

  • AND you will have access to all these tasty resources to help you on your way:

    • x4 days of live online intensive sessions featuring step-by-step draft-alongs
    • Full Size PDF blocks for a darted bodice, skirt and sleeve (sizes UK 6-26)
    • Multi-size mini-blocks PDF in 50% scale to practice and play with
    • Multi-size croquis PDF to help you draw your designs
    • Access to our private online community where you can ask questions, share your progress and recieve feedback

  • By following this course and drafting our dictionary of designs you will build the knowledge and muscle memory of pattern-cutting techniques that can be applied to all your future makes.
SIGN ME UP!

WHY PATTERN CUTTING?

Pattern-cutting has gained a reputation as something difficult and complicated that only professional designers can do.

We're here to debunk that myth! In fact there are just a few key principles to learn, which will then unlock a whole world of possibilties, and put you in charge of the fit and design of your handmade wardrobe.

No more hunting around for the perfect pattern to match your creative vision! No more endless tweaks and fit adjustments which just end in misery and despair!

Once you've mastered the key techniques it will genuinely be quicker to draft your own pattern than alter someone else's.

Think of all the time and money you will save not having to buy any more expensive 'nearly-right' patterns - you'll be able to go straight from the vision in your head, or inspiration from a magazine, to the pattern you need.

HOW THE COURSE WORKS

  • Each class runs live 10am-5pm UK TIME (with lunch and tea breaks throughout!)

    There will be a mixture of activities throughout the day - some parts will be practical exercises you can follow along in real time, and some will be watching, listening and absorbing with a cup-of-tea.

    The sessions are hosted online via Zoom and we aim to make them as interactive as possible - questions are encouraged!

    If you can't make all/any of the live sessions the recordings will be made available the day after each class - these are hosted in our private online community where you can continue to ask questions, post your makes and get to know your new fellow pattern-cutting friends!

    WHAT YOU WILL NEED

    To follow along with the live sessions you will need:

    • print-outs of the PDF mini-blocks or full-size blocks provided (we'll let you know which tutorials are appropriate for drafting along in full size)
    • paper scissors
    • pencil (we prefer a mechanical one)
    • rubber
    • ruler
    • sticky tape

ABOUT THE BLOCKS

  • The foundation of pattern cutting is the 'block' (or 'sloper' if you're in the US). This is a base pattern from which you create different designs through the process of adjustments and manipulation that we call pattern cutting/drafting.

    In an ideal world you have a block that is drafted to your specific measurements, and fits you like a perfect shell around your unique body shape and size. This means that you can be confident in the fit of your design from the very beginning - no more fiddling about with fit adjustments - can you imagine!

    If you already have your own well-fitting dress block (perhaps drafted at one of Alice's Telestia classes!) then you can use this as the basis for your designs.

    If not, no worries! We have created the next best thing - a set of specially drafted dress blocks that come with the A-Z of Pattern Cutting course. These blocks were created using the Telestia system we use for our patterns to ensure a good fit for most figures. The size range is UK 6 to 26. The blocks are downloadable as a pdf in paper sizes A4, US letter and A0.

    These blocks were developed for our BEHIND THE SEAMS course and consist of a separate bodice, skirt and sleeve.

FAQ

What level of experience is the class aimed at?

Honestly, this course is for everyone! If you're a complete newbie you'll learn good habits from the start, and if you're an experienced sewist, you'll love adding all this information to your repetoire.

Will I lose out if I can't attend some/all of the live session/s?

No! Around 40% of people who sign up for our classes don't watch live and just use the recordings. That's why we also have the online community so you can continue to ask questions (and everyone can benefit from the answers). You are also always welcome to email us with any questions if you prefer.

How long do I get to access the recordings?

The recordings are yours to keep forever! We host them within our private online course + community platform (called Mighty Networks) so you can access them whenever you like.

Will we be drafting a block during the class? 

No - this course will focus on how to turn a block into a finished pattern for a design.

If you already have your own well-fitting dress block (perhaps drafted at one of Alice's Telestia classes!) then you can use this as the basis for your designs.

If not, no worries! We have created the next best thing - a set of specially drafted dress blocks that come with the A-Z of Pattern Cutting course. These blocks were created using the Telestia system we use for our patterns to ensure a good fit for most figures. The size range is UK 6 to 26. The blocks are downloadable as a pdf in paper sizes A4, US letter and A0.

I have << insert specific fitting issue here >>, will the class work for me?

Yes! The point of drafting your own designs is to control the fit and the finish so you feel fabulous in what you make. You will find that once you have a block that fits you and the understanding of how to use it, you don't need all those fiddly pattern adjustments any more, and those 'issues' are no longer relevant.

How does the online community work?

Our private online community is hosted by Mighty Networks. When you purchase the course you will receive a Welcome Letter with a link and details of how to set up your account with your name and email address. Once logged in you will be able to access all of the resources including the full size blocks, and the community space where you are able to make posts and share pictures and ask questions. This is also where you will find all of the recordings the day after each live class.

Will this course cover trousers?

No. This course will focus on manipulating bodice, skirt and sleeve blocks. However all the skills you will learn are the same as you would use for trousers. For a trouser-specific course we have done an ALL ABOUT TROUSERS class - let us know if you'd like us to run it again!

Can I use this information to adjust my existing patterns?

Yes! The information you will learn will be very useful to adjust existing patterns, but you may find that it becomes quicker and easier to draft your own from scratch.

Individual Day Sessions