TOP UP YOUR WARDROBE WITH EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS – BEGINNER DRESSMAKING COURSE LEVEL 2 – CREATE A TOP & SHORTS OR PANTS.

If you finished our Level 1 course, then you pass your progress check to this dressmaking course! If you haven’t done our STL1 course, but you know how to set up and troubleshoot your sewing machine. You have done enough of straight stitching projects and wish to make some clothing for yourself! Congratulations you graded to Green Belt in sewing!

Studio Thimbles Level 2 Dressmaking Course (STL2) is like a Green Belt in Martial Arts. You know the basics, but you still a long way away from your Black belt. So, let’s put our knowledge to test. Let’s start from easy to execute and follow patterns, fill your wardrobe with handmade essentials tops and pants! In this course we choose to use Pattern Union pattern for blouse simple style with no sleeves. And second project is Megan Nielsen patterns for pants.

There are so many options in sewing and so many techniques. You simply need to start making some garments for yourself or others and learn slowly some techniques as you go. One garment simply would not cover it all. So, we will start from the beginning – everything starts with picking the pattern. Pattern Union and Megan Nielsen patterns are great for beginners project, so simple to use with great instructions to follow. They are available in paper or PDF format.

What will you learn?

As we learn during our sewing for beginners course we will complete the following projects:

• Theory on different types of patterns and how to work with them (pattern sheets from fashion magazines, PDF patterns assembly, paper patterns).
• Checking your size, picking the right pattern size.
• Checking/adding seam allowances, laying out pattern pieces on fabric.
• Making blouse using PDF pattern (included in the course) Will be using local Perth designer pattern Cora Blouse from Pattern Union.
• Armhole and neckline finishing with bias binding or facing.
• Edge hemming.
• Making Pants/Shorts relaxed fit, high waist, paperbag elastic waistband (Megan Nielsen Opal pants pattern included in the course).
• Inseam pockets.
• Crotch and inseam doing it the right way.
• Waistband finishing with beltloops.
• Introduction to Overlocker machine. Overlocker machines are provided for use.

At the end of 7 weeks dressmaking course, you would add to your wardrobe a top and pants/shorts. You would have your Pattern Union and Megan Nielsen patterns to keep and all the techniques to replicate these garments at home in different fabric variations.

Remember Sewing is Art of Happiness! We wish to share sewing knowledge with you, so you too would experience this happiness of sewing the same way as we do.

Fabric for your garments is NOT included in this dressmaking course, as fabric for garments is more personal choice. Additional fabric purchase required to make your garments. Prewash and dry your fabric in the same way you intend to wash your ready-made garment. Many fabrics shrink when washed and it is better to get any shrinkage out of the way.

The following is your shopping list for this dressmaking course:

• For the top: light to medium weight woven fabrics like poplin, cotton, linen or any blend of these. Most of the fabric width is 115cm. For the top you need to get 1,6m. If you buy wide fabric with a width 145cm and above, you will need only 1m of this fabric. You need to bring fabric for your top to the 1st lesson.
• For the pants/shorts there is a wide range of woven fabrics you could pick from – cotton, linen, denim, satin, twills the list goes on. Maybe hold on buying fabric for pants until the start of the course, so you could learn a bit more about variation of pants/shorts you are going to sew and make your selection later.
• General tip for buying fabric for this course: don’t buy any expensive fabric as it is your learning project, but still buy something you like, so you would enjoy wearing it. This is great chance to possibly find some upcycling project and use it as your learning.