Date/Time
Date - 25/06/2019 - 09/07/2019
9:30 am - 12:30 pm

Location
Knowle Village Hall, Solihull

Duration – 6 hours split over 2 sessions

Cost £65

(this includes a paper pattern to take home and step by step instruction booklet worth £15.00)

This workshop will run on 2 dates. You must be able to attend both dates to complete the workshop.

Tuesday 25th June 2019 9.30am-12.30pm – 3 hours

Tuesday 9th July 2019 9.30am-12.30pm – 3 hours

This workshop is suitable for those who have used a sewing machine before and can confidently thread the machine and bobbin. If you need a beginners class or a refresher then have a look at beginners classes available.

Learn how to sew a shift dress or top

The ultimate shift dress is a perfect project for beginner dressmakers. It is an extremely versatile dress that would flatter a range of body shapes due to the option of being able to team it with a belt, and add sleeves if you prefer. A classic shift dress really is a wardrobe staple. There is even a top version to make if preferred. Both are perfect for the Summer months.

You will learn:

How to take essential body measurements and select your pattern size
How to identify pattern pieces required
How to lengthen/shorten pattern pieces if required
How to accurately cut out pattern pieces
How to identify the grainline of the fabric and lay out pattern pieces correctly
How to cut fabric accurately
How to sew darts
How to attach facings
How to sew the dress with tuition along the way

What is included:

Full individual use of Janome sewing machines
Use of sewing tools
Full tuition to make your garment
Paper pattern to take home and step by step instruction booklet worth £15.00
Hook and eye
Tea/coffee

Sizes the pattern covers:

Smallest size

Size 8: Bust 33, waist 26, hip 36

Largest size

Size 20: Bust 45, waist 38, hip 48

For help taking your body measurements please see my blog post here.

What you need to bring:

Fabric:

Lightweight woven fabric e.g. cotton, cotton lawn. These will be the easiest to sew with. If you are more experienced, for for a softer look you could choose rayon or crepe.

Once you have taken your body measurements, compare them to the chart on the envelope back image below. If you are across sizes, go for the biggest size and then see how much fabric you need depending on whether it is 1.15m wide (45″) or 1.4m wide (55″).

If you are tall or will be matching patterns/stripes then you will need more than that amount.

If you have any questions at all then email your body measurements and I will help you.

Lorna says:

“The shift dress and top is a classic style of garment that suits a range of body shapes. I wasn’t sure whether it would suit me but wearing a belt with the dress for me is perfect as it nips me in at the waist. This would be a perfect summer dress – nice and cool and can be dressed up or down. As a shorter dress version it would look great over leggings or tights in the winter too! The top is the perfect Summer sleeveless top and will look so different in a range of cotton fabrics. It’s a great pattern for a beginner sewist and teaches you many basic dressmaking principles.”