Woman drafting sewing patterns on large paper while working with fabric blocks

Learn the essentials of patternmaking with this beginner-friendly sewing course in Sydney. You’ll gain hands-on experience drafting skirt, bodice, and pant blocks tailored to your own body measurements. Participants will learn to take accurate measurements, develop toiles to test fit, and finalise their designs using cardboard blocks. Starting with industry-standard templates, you’ll receive expert guidance in small class sizes to refine your fitting and construction techniques.

This course is ideal for confident sewers who want to take creative control of their garment making and transition beyond commercial sewing patterns.

Course Outline

  • Lesson 1: Drafting and toile fitting for a skirt block
  • Lesson 2: Creating a personalised bodice block
  • Lesson 3: Developing and fitting a pant block
  • Lesson 4: Refining blocks and exploring additional techniques such as pockets or waistbands

Schedule & Pricing

  • Offered as either 4 full-day sessions or 8 evening sessions
  • Pricing: $649 - $719 depending on term
  • Location: 2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039

Additional Information

  • Course held on the second floor (not wheelchair accessible)
  • 30-minute lunch break for full-day classes—bring lunch or explore local cafes
  • Closed-in shoes required

Details
6 hours 30 minutes

You will learn

  • Take accurate body measurements to draft garment patterns
  • Create skirt, bodice, and pant blocks tailored to your body
  • Fit and adjust toiles to perfect garment construction

You will get

  • Personalised cardboard blocks for skirt, bodice, and pants
  • Guided practice with pattern drafting and fitting
  • One-on-one support in small class sizes

Appropriate for

Confident home sewers and sewing enthusiasts comfortable using a sewing machine and seeking to create garments tailored to their body shape.


Preparation

What to bring

  • 5–7 metres of calico fabric (depending on width)
  • Patternmaking tools like rulers, tracing wheel, scissors
  • Sewing machine supplies: needles, bobbins, thread

What to wear

Closed-in shoes


Your Teacher
Sydney Community College

Sydney Community College

38 reviews

Sydney Community College is a registered charity with a voluntary Board of Directors

The College has a mission to offer innovative continuing adult education and training programmes that support individual efforts and facilitate sustainable social change.

We do this by:

  • Providing quality continuing adult education opportunities for people to build practical and theoretical skills and develop knowledge;
  • Leveraging from and developing community capacity and inclusivity;
  • Developing innovative affordable and accessible skills training programmes;
  • Partnering with like organisations to deliver learning opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and communities;
  • Partnering with all levels of government to deliver education policy objectives.

Terms

Cancellations & Refunds

If the organiser cancels the class:

You are entitled to a full refund.

If you can't attend the class:

You’re welcome to send someone in your place.

OR

  • A refund can be requested 10 days before class starts. An admin fee of AU$45.00 applies.

Terms & Conditions

At Sydney Community College, we know that plans can change unexpectedly. Whether it’s a shift in your schedule, a family emergency, or just a change of heart, we want to support you in the fairest way possible.  

At the same time, we’re a not-for-profit organisation that commits resources to running each class—so last-minute cancellations can significantly impact our ability to offer quality, affordable programs.

That’s why we’ve created a simple, transparent policy that balances your need for flexibility with our need to plan and deliver courses sustainably.  Our cancellation policy offers two clear options, depending on when you notify us:

Cancel More Than 10 Days Before the Course Starts – You can choose to receive a full refund, minus a $45 administration fee OR a non-refundable credit note valid for 12 months for the full value you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College. 

 Option 2: Cancel Within 10 Days of the Course Starting - You’ll receive a credit note valid for 12 months for 50% of the course fee you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College. 

Please note that both refund and credit options are only available before the course begins. Once the course has started—or if you decide to withdraw after it has commenced—no refunds or credits can be issued.  If you need to cancel your enrolment, just email us and we’ll take care of it based on the timelines above.

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