Clone your Clothes with Dot n Cross
October 5 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
PATTERN CUTTING WORKSHOP
TELL ME MORE
Everyone has a garment that they wish would last forever, or that they could get in lots of different colours and fabrics. Come along on this class, and learn how to trace off your favourite dress or top, so that you have a fully workable pattern to take home and make again and again.
During this class, you will learn how to make a paper pattern from your favourite top or dress, without having to unpick a thing! We will be creating the pattern, adding seam allowance, and even making small pattern changes, such as changing the length, or adding a seam line.
There won’t be time to make your garment on the course, but we will talk about construction techniques and the order to sew it at the end. If your pattern has quite a few pieces, you might have finalised all pieces by the end of the session.
Please bring along something old and loved from your wardrobe or something vintage – we cannot trace recently purchased garments from the last 5-10 years.
TECHNIQUES YOU WILL LEARN
- Basic techniques of tracing off a garment onto dot and cross paper, using push pins, tracing wheels, tape measures and a pattern master
- Discussing pattern cutting theory including seam allowance and grain lines.
- Making some pattern pieces from scratch, eg. straight plackets, simple facings.
- Add seam allowance, then cut out your paper pieces and add notches
- Discussing order of construction
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
- We will provide all the pattern cutting tools you will need and pattern cutting paper.
- Course booklet to take home.
- Lots of attention from the tutor – maximum 5 students in class.
- Tea and coffee and cake, plus 10% discount in the cafe for lunch
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
- Your favourite top, shirt or dress – send me a photo once you’ve booked of the garment you’re thinking of making to hello@dotncross.com
- I strongly advise you to bring something simple – with just a few pattern pieces, eg: front, back, sleeve and pocket.
- Something in cotton or a sturdy-ish fabric will be best if this is your first time tracing. We wouldn’t recommend bringing a jersey or stretch garment, or a complex tailored garment.
- Please bring along something old and loved from your wardrobe or something vintage – we cannot trace recently purchased garments from the last 5-10 years.
WHO IS THIS CLASS SUITABLE FOR?
This is an intermediate class, meaning you should have prior experience of working with bought patterns and be comfortable with basic pattern cutting terminology. You will get a lot more out of the class if you’ve already made up a few different garments before and got a good grasp of garment construction. We will cover all the pattern cutting basics with you, such as: seam allowance, notch, drill hole, grain line etc. If you are wondering if this is the course for you, don’t hesitate to drop me a line to chat it through!
ABOUT YOUR TEACHER
Helen Shine is a skilled pattern cutter with over 12 years of experience in London’s high-end fashion industry, working with renowned designers like Victoria Beckham, Mary Katrantzou, and Karen Millen.
In 2019, she launched ‘Dot n Cross’, offering hands-on pattern cutting and sewing workshops and retreats in Cornwall, where she is now based. Helen is passionate about empowering others to create their own clothes, whether they are aspiring professionals or enthusiastic home sewers, by sharing her industry knowledge and love of the craft.
