A date for our next Using Patterns workshop will be announced later in the year.
Download the enrolment form here.
When and where will the lessons take place?
The course will take place on a Sunday from 10am til 3:30pm. The class is held at Broughton Village Hall, 59 High Street, Broughton, near Brigg, DN20 0JX. If you need directions to find the venue, please contact The Party Frock on 01652 658516 or enquiries@thepartyfrock.co.uk
How long does the course run for?
This is a one day intensive workshop. Please see course date information sheet for exact dates for your chosen venue.
What will I be learning?
- What kind of commercial sewing patterns are available and where to find them.
- How to measure yourself or others to choose a size.
- Figuring out what you will need, to make the item.
- Deciphering symbols and terminology.
- How to prepare your pattern and cut out a garment.
- Sewing a dart and using fusible interfacing.
There won’t be a lot of sewing involved in this workshop, the morning will mostly be theory. I will have lots of pattern related resources for you to look at and we also have a fun little quiz! In pairs we will go through how and where to take measurements then look at choosing sizing. The afternoon will be spent working with the patterns you bring with you, cutting them out and marking them up, ready to construct.
How much does the course cost?
This 1 day course costs £45. A deposit of £20 must be paid when booking to secure your place, as there are only 8-10 places per workshop. The remaining balance of £25 must be paid 2 weeks prior to starting the course. Please see terms and conditions on the enrolment form for further information and get in touch if you wish to discuss payment options.
Do I need my own sewing machine?
It is advisable to bring your own sewing machine as it is better to learn on the machine you will be using at home as there can be a lot of variety between different machines. The Party Frock does, however, have a limited supply of sewing machines available during lessons for students that do not own their own. Please note that Party Frock sewing machines cannot be taken home with students.
Will there be a break and refreshments during class?
Yes we will have a couple of breaks at an appropriate stage in the lesson. There will be teas and coffees available, as well as biscuits! As this is a full day course it is recommended to bring a packed lunch.
Is this an accredited course?
There is no qualification at the end of the course, but you will learn skills for life. This means students get to have more of an input into the course, as there is no set criterion that you must follow.
What do I need to bring with me to class?
Your sewing machine if you have one and a pair of fabric scissors. A notebook, pen and pencil would be handy too.
You will also need to choose a very simple pattern and the fabric and notions (zip, buttons, elastic etc) to bring on the day as you will be making a start on your first pattern. I will provide suggestions for a pattern to purchase before the class. If you choose a pdf pattern please print and assemble this before class as it will slow you down on the day if you have to stick 20 pieces of A4 paper together.
Basic sewing kits will be available to purchase no less than 2 weeks in advance of the sewing class start date, allowing time to receive orders from my wholesaler. I will endeavour to have items such as sewing machine needles, pins, bobbins and a limited selection of moon thread available to purchase during each lesson at minimal cost.
Fabric, notions (e.g. thread, interfacing, buttons, zips) and patterns are not provided as standard, but they will be discussed with you at least one week before you need them.
Kit list
This is a suggested list of kit you may need during your sewing classes and beyond. You may not use every item during the using patterns workshop, however they will all be useful at some point!
- Fabric scissors
- Snips
- Unpicker/seam ripper
- Pins
- Pin cushion
- Safety pins
- Machine needles
- Hand sewing needles
- Needle threader
- Tailor’s chalk
- Loop turner
- Tape measure
- Folder with punch pockets for your portfolio*
- Paper scissors*
- Ruler and set square*
A kit can be purchased through The Party Frock for £19, or £13.50 without fabric scissors.
If you would like to order an aluminium metre ruler at £10 please make a note of this when booking the course and pay for it along side your kit and enrolment fee. This is not a necessity but will come in handy when working on some projects (including cushions and tote bags!)
*Please note the kit to order does not include a folder & inserts, ruler & set square or paper scissors.
Please tick the relevant box on your enrolment form and pay the additional fee alongside your enrolment fee.