FASHION COURSES DESCRIPTION

COURSES FOR JANUARY 2012

NEW!!!!

FIT FOR REAL BODIES

About the course.- Fitting is a combination of basic fitting knowledge with practical experience. Commercial patterns have been developed using standard measurements of young models with bra cup B only. But not every body is standard, actually, most people have two to three sizes along the body and they don't have cup B either, that is the reason why patterns don't fit well. Another factor is that our body changes with the time, and we have to change the pattern to fit our new figure. Fitting involves an anatomical study of the figure, length, width, proportion, symmetry, "cushions", muscle, bone structure and posture. If we analyse our body, once we found the problem areas, we know the solutions and which changes we have to do to the pattern to fit us. In 4 lessons of 4 hours each (16 hours), you are going to cover: analysis of the body, tissue fitting on the basic garments (skirt, top, jacket, dresses and pants), and refine the fitting in calico. Get the knowledge from my experience in hundreds and hundreds of bodies, and my personal research.

Cost: Invest a minimum amount of $360 - for the 16 hours and learn to change commercial patterns to fit your figure for ever.
Number of lessons: The lessons are 4 of 4 consecutive Saturdays mornings on 7, 14, 21 and 28 January.
Number of hours of tuition: 16 hours (4 hours each lesson).
Time: The lessons are in 4 consecutive Saturdays mornings from 9 am to 1 pm.
Number of Students: Maximum number of students is 4, that guarantees enough time for each student and physical space to work with your commercial patterns.
What you receive: Classes notes are included in the fees.

NEW!!!!

INTENSIVE COURSE OF PATTERNMAKING FOR FASHION DESIGN- Level I

About the course: This course is an Express Course of Patternmaking for Fashion Design, Level I, with 40 hours of hands on practice.
What you are going to do??...:
- You are going to make pattern blocks for your body, made to measure for skirts, bodice, sleeves.
- You are going to learn how to use the blocks and develop the garments from the magazine.
- You are going to design your own creation, and convert your fashion drawing in reality garment.
- You are going to learn to knock off garments and copy them exactly.
Very intensive course over two weeks. Be prepared to work at home sewing calico garments to try the precision of the pattern and fitting.

Cost: Invest a minimum of $695 for the 40 hours and learn to develop patterns for you and family.
Number of lessons: The are 10 lessons in two consecutive weeks.
Number of hours of tuition: 40 hours.
Time: First week: 3,4,5,6,7 January from 9.30 to 2.30 pm. Second week: 10,11,12,13,14 January from 1 pm to 3.30 pm.
Number of students: Maximum number of students is 4.
What you receive: Classes notes, paper and cardboard for your block are included in the fees. Also your certificates.

EXPRESS SEWING IN JANUARY

About the course: This course is for any person, in any level who has spare time over School holidays to do 5 lessons over 3 weeks. We do the course every January with a lot of success. If you are beginner, intermediate, advanced, you are in holiday, want to go out of the house and use your time, a home-economics teacher, University student who wants to take the opportunity to learn or improve your skills, you are welcome to come!
Start 2012 learning to sew and look fantastic!!!
We have Beginners, level 1 and 2; Intermediate, level 1 and 2; Advanced , level 1 and 2.
Write to us and ask about your free booklet in your level to know what you are going to learn, make and wear.

Cost: Invest in your skill for life $250 for the 15 hours of tuition (3 hours each lesson).
Number of lessons: The are 5 lessons in the following dates in January : Tuesday 10, Thursday 12, Tuesday 17, Thursday 19 and Friday 20.
Number of hours: 15 hours.
Time: Mornings from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.
Number of Students: Maximum number of students is 5.
What you receive: Tuition in semi-private lessons, and photocopies from my library if you need.

DRESSMAKING FOR TEENAGERS ( from age 10 years and up)

Mariana teaching teenagers About the Course: In this course runs over 5 days in the School break. You will be introduced to the basics of sewing including how to use the sewing machine, lay out and mark up your fabric, how to sew straight and curved seams and how to overlock your seams. Professional finishing. You will also learn about gathering, elastic casings, hemming, darts and facings. Completing this course will allow you to enrol in adult Beginner Dressmaking classes on weeknights or weekends, some of which already have teenage students enrolled.
Projects:Projects include boxer shorts, gathered skirts, singlet top with ruffle, and tunic dress with stand collar. Write to us and ask to send the free booklet with the projects to know what you are going to learn, make and wear. We accept suggestions if you want to do different garments in your level.

Cost: $200 for 5 lessons of 2.5 hours each.
Dates and Times: Monday 9 and 16th January 9.30 am to 12.00pm, Wednesday 11 and 18th January 9.30 am to 12.00pm, Friday 13 January 9.30 am to 12.00 pm.
Number of students: 5 maximum.

Our Teacher:Steph Hudson (now 24 years old) is a former student of The Sewing Workshop after receiving a sewing machine her 21st birthday. Over 3 years she completed dressmaking classes and now works at The Sewing Workshop as a teacher and dressmaker, creating formal and bridal outfits for clients. Stephie is an example of - you can do it if you want!!!
Stephie also is a Graduate of Bachelor of Fine Arts and Fashion at QUT. These teenage lessons are a guaranteed modern and fun way of learning to sew!

DRESSMAKING

BEGINNERS DRESSMAKING

Student cutting fabric Never sewn before?? Don’t panic, all of us have started from the beginning. These lessons are for people who have little or no sewing skills, even for people who want to correct bad sewing habits. Garments in this stage are : pyjamas, boxer shorts, straight or A line skirts with zipper, waistband or facing, easy tops, very easy dresses, vests, pants or bike pants with elastic on the waist, T-shirts and children’s wear.

You will learn or revise: How to use the sewing machine, change needles, threading, fill the bobbin, how to take measurements and select the correct pattern size for you, to change the pattern to fit you, read and follow instructions of commercial patterns, Understand the layout, marking, pinning and cutting, Understand grainline of the fabric and cut properly; Learn professional finishings that doesn’t show in the commercial patterns in the correct order. Understand Dressmaking terminology.

Dress with spots Also you are going to learn techniques such as: Gathering, easing, elastic casing, patch pockets, centred zippers and invisible zippers. Facings, waistband, straps, bias binding, button and buttonhole, finish necklines, hems, directional sewing, staystitch, understitch, chose the correct interfacing, and sewing techniques necessary to complete your particular garment. Of course Fitting is an aspect we cover in all garments.

Time: Mornings from 9.30 am to 12:30 pm. (Including Saturdays).
Nights from 6 pm to 9 pm. Saturdays afternoons from 1.30 pm to 4:30 pm.
Duration: 5 lessons per block.
Fees: $250 for 5 lessons in mornings week days, or $295 for 5 lessons on nights or Saturdays mornings or afternoons.

INTERMEDIATE DRESSMAKING

Once you master all the basic sewing skills, you will feel more confident to learn more sewing techniques included in the following garments: blouses or shirts with short and long sleeves, T-shirts with front placket, trousers with fly front zipper, pockets, jeans, dresses without lining, unconstructed Jackets (no lining). Also skirts with lining, and details like yoke, pleats, pockets.

Cheryl's dress In these garments you will learn the following techniques: First of all : FITTING YOUR TROUSERS, and fitted dresses, also sewing techniques like: fly front zipper, one and two piece collar, hidden button placket, hip and in-seam pockets, yokes, pleats, splits on skirt and lining , cuffs, continuous placket , set in sleeves and all in one sleeve, flat fell seams, necklines and methods to reduce the bulk into the enclosed seams. How to properly press using pressing tools and sewing techniques necessary to complete your particular garment.

Time: Mornings from 9.30 am to 12:30 pm. (Including Saturdays).
Nights from 6 pm to 9 pm. Saturdays afternoons from 1.30 pm to 4:30 pm.
Duration: 5 lessons per block.
Fees: $250 for 5 lessons in mornings week days, or $295 for 5 lessons on nights or Saturdays mornings or afternoons.

ADVANCED DRESSMAKING

This stage emphasizes even more the FITTING TECHNIQUES. Garments in this stage: Princess line dress with lining, Unconstructed Jacket, Sleeveless dresses with different necklines , invisible zipper and lining, lining with pleats, splits and lining.

In this stage, we also introduce some mini-patternmaking lessons: we learn to create linings pattern and facings when you don’t have the patterns, we change necklines to sweet heart, round or V , learn to sew all in one facings for sleeve dress and finish all by machine, finish splits and kick pleats and lining properly by machine, make mitre corners, learn to do perfect corners and perfect curves, and sewing techniques necessary to complete your particular garment.

Time: Mornings from 9.30 am to 12:30 pm. (Including Saturdays).
Nights from 6 pm to 9 pm. Saturdays afternoons from 1.30 pm to 4:30 pm.
Duration: 5 lessons per block.
Fees: $250 for 5 lessons in mornings week days, or $295 for 5 lessons on nights or Saturdays mornings or afternoons.

Stephie Hudson's cocktail dress

PATTERNMAKING FOR FASHION DESIGN

LEVEL I

In this course, students will learn the Principles of Patternmaking, also will learn to develop the “eye” to catch details, learning to analyse the design, make a plan of action, and transform that block into a desired style of what you want to develop. They could be from your own creations, or from fashion magazines, shop windows, or internet... EXACTLY, but with the perfect fitting for you or your client. We do skirts, tops, sleeves and a touch of stretch wear. Students are encourage to design their own styles and develop them in class into the lessons, according with the program. Students will learn how to take the measurements, how to make a ”Block or Slopper” pattern for themselves or clients from a standard size pattern. Perfect fit every time. This is the starting point for developing a Pattern.
This course is for people with the minimum of basic sewing abilities. For the people who have never sewn before, we recommend two blocks of Sewing lessons as they will need to make their own calico toile at home and also because they should have an idea how the pattern pieces assembly together, as well as some sewing terminology.

PROGRAM: Body Pattern

Taking measurements and observing the body shape.
Develop skirt block from standard sizes blocks.
1st Principle of Dressmaking: Add fullness.
Skirts: Gathers, flared, pleated skirt.
Blocking the block method.
Using different techniques to add flare: Slashing and pivoting.
A line skirt vs. flared skirt, Gored skirts.
Circular skirts, full, half, 3/4 skirt, and circular shapes.
Godets, flounces, cascades, frills, tucks-darts,
Details: In-seam pockets, hip pockets, facings, waistband.
Develop Body block and sleeve blocks from standard size blocks.
The importance of the cup size and the correct dart size.
2nd Principle of Dressmaking: Dart manipulation. Designing with darts.
Tops: Princess line, Empire line, cowl necklines, built-up necklines.

Blouses, shirts, tops with sleeves. Button and buttonhole position.
Different sleeves: Puff, mutton, Tulip, bell, cap, shirt, raglan ,others
Flat collars: Peter Pan, Eton, low neckline, Sailor
Stand collar: Chinese, convertible collar, two piece collar.
Basic stretch : Convert your block for woven for using on stretch fabrics,
Stretch analysis of the fabrics. Patterns for T-shirts, singlets and tops for stretch.

MATERIALS STUDENTS RECEIVE:
Notes written relating to the lesson. One booklet per lesson. Pattern paper for using in class and for their homework. Cardboard for their blocks.
COURSE DURATION: 10 x 3 hrs. lessons weekly, or 15 x 2 hrs. lessons.
NEXT COURSES:
Full for 2011.
Register your interest for 2012.
FEES: $625.

LEVEL II

This course is for the students who have completed Patternmaking Fashion Design –Level I. In this course students learn to make patterns for more complex design that involve more fitting, like strapless, corsets and more complicate constructions as tailor collars. Also we make five secondary blocks: Dress, Contour, Strapless, Pants, Magyar. Students are encouraged to design their own styles and develop them in class into the lessons, according with the program.

PROGRAM Jacket Pattern

Develop Dress block using your skirt and bodice blocks
Dresses without waistline seams .Princess line dress with flare.
3rd Principle of Patternmaking: Contouring. Contouring block.
Halter neckline, Empire line, off shoulder, Midriff, asymmetrical dresses.
Low necklines. Strapless Block and strapless designs.
Develop corsets.
Jacket block using your dress block
Develop one and two piece sleeve for Jackets
Lapels for Jackets: Roll collar, Collar and lapel
Interconstruction: Interfacing, lining, facings.
Pants block. Fitting problems. Jeans.
Cowl drapery: cowl sleeves, cowl necklines, cowl skirts and cowl pants
Kimono and Magyar.
Two ways stretch: pants on stretch fabric.

Monday nights from 9 August to 12 December. Time: 6 pm to 9 pm fortnightly.
FEES: $625.

DRAPING

Program to be released shortly!!

Please register your interest.

SPECIAL AREAS OF SEWING INTEREST

TAILORING

Trench coat Learn the classic and traditional Italian tailoring methods to make Tailored Jackets. Learn the interconstruction of the Jacket: underlining and interlining; use of the correct interfacing in the correct place. Learn which markings are crucial. Learn tailored pockets: flap pockets, single or double welt pockets, self lined patch pockets, and if you wish: bound buttonhole or Spanish buttonhole. Develop pressing skills for Jackets: learn how to use pressing tools. Learn to make the PERFECT tailored collar or notched collar and lapel with perfect corners or curves.

Problems with the sleeves?? Not any more: Sew perfect eased sleeves for Jackets, use sleeve heads, shoulder pads... no more home-made look! Also, make mitre vents on sleeves and buttons. Learn to apply lining, with our easy method. Everything by machine. No hand sew involved in your Jacket, unless you have buttons with shank. Of course the Fitting will be perfect for you from the beginning!!

Time: Mornings from 9.30 am to 12:30 pm. (Including Saturdays).
Nights from 6 pm to 9 pm. Saturdays afternoons from 1.30 pm to 4:30 pm.
Duration: 5 lessons per block.
Fees: $250 for 5 lessons in mornings week days, or $295 for 5 lessons on nights or Saturdays mornings or afternoons..

COUTURE

Rosalyn and her wedding dress Simone in her widding dress Learn the ultimate sewing techniques by following the steps of the world’s best designers. Learn the high fashion sewing secrets from the couturiers and the industry. You will have mini-patternmaking lessons to help you to understand the sewing process. Learn couture techniques like how to sew chiffon and underlining, on darts, on zippers, godets, ribbons as a trim, and high couture finishings: Madelaine hem, French seam, Hong Kong seam. Learn to make a bustier lining (inner corselet), this is a hidden support for strapless dresses or off the shoulder without visible waistlines. All this as well as working with lace fabrics which can be frustration and exceptionally difficult. We master the finishing of the garments with Haute Couture. Even you can make Bridesmade, after five dresses and even Bridalwear!!

Duration of the course: 5 lesson per block. We recommend 5 to 7 lessons. This course is for students who have done or have the knowledge of Advanced Dressmaking.

Time: Mornings from 9.30 am to 12:30 pm. (Including Saturdays).
Nights from 6 pm to 9 pm. Saturdays afternoons from 1.30 pm to 4:30 pm.
Duration: 5 lessons per block.
Fees: $250 for 5 lessons in mornings week days, or $295 for 5 lessons on nights or Saturdays mornings or afternoons.

Rosalind and Simone wearing their wedding dresses, made in class.

BRA AND CORSETMAKING

Learn the techniques of how to assemble and fit bras and corsets. Study materials, stitches, needles and haberdashery needed for a beautiful finished garment. This course covers everything: laces, fabrics (and it’s stretch behaviour), threads, boning, padding, elastics, binding, bonding and details on how to finish garments. Know the different parts of your bra and/or corset, like: casing, underwire, closures, straps, elastics, boning, padding. Learn the correct order of assembly. Learn to clone your favourite bra or use one pattern from my library; learn to fit patterns to your body.

We will make three garments. The last one will have perfect fitting once we adjust the pattern to your body shape. Cups AA, DD, E, F, G? No problem! We will grade (up or down) the pattern to fit your size cup and as result you will have a perfect fit and good support. If you want to start up a business in bra-making and corsetry, this is a great starting point, learning the principles of assembly and fitting. Learn to make the best bra you have ever worn! You will definitely enjoy this course!

Bikini dress Duration of the course: 5 lesson per block. We recommend 5 to 7 lessons. This course if for students who has done or has the knowledge of Basic Dressmaking.

LINGERIE

The art of making fine and beautiful lingerie is so easy! In 24 hour tuition you will learn enough to start up your business or just to make beautiful and unique garments for yourself. Discover everything about fabric and their stretch behaviour. Learn other basics such as the use of the right needles, width, and length of stitching, type of thread to use, as well as elastics, laces and trims. Learn tricks of marking and cutting and the different methods of applying elastics and laces. Learn to put underwire on bodysuits. These lessons can cover French bikinis, panties, G-string , full or half slip, lingerie sets, cami-bra, teddies, bodysuits, camisoles, body shapers, and boxer shorts, and even suspenders. You will also learn about fitting for large or small bust to change your commercial pattern.

Duration of the course: 5 lesson per block. We recommend 5 to 7 lessons. This course if for students who has done or has the knowledge of Basic Dressmaking.

Time: Mornings from 9.30 am to 12:30 pm. (Including Saturdays).
Nights from 6 pm to 9 pm. Saturdays afternoons from 1.30 pm to 4:30 pm.
Duration: 5 lessons per block.
Fees: $250 for 5 lessons in mornings week days, or $295 for 5 lessons on nights or Saturdays mornings or afternoons.

STRETCHWEAR AND SWIMWEAR

Swimmwear design Learn to make your garments in stretch fabric. Learn to make gymwear, dance wear, leotard, tracksuits, t-shirts even zippered Jackets, yes, swimwear too!!!! Using the domestic machines and overlocker.
Learn how to identify the percentage of stretch and choose the correct pattern for the fabric or vice versa, learn to apply elastics, trims, zippers, make pockets, make hoods like Lady Gaga.
Learn how to change the pattern for large busty ladies. Learn how to sew lycra with lining and sew cups in swimwear, also how to create a support for big busts. Make one piece swimwear, bikinis, G-string, tankini. Photo: Ana and Renee developing swimwear patterns.

Duration of the course: 5 lesson per block. We recommend 5 to 7 lessons. This course if for students who has done or has the knowledge of Basic Dressmaking.

HEADWEAR FASCINATORS

Perfect for the beginner who has basic sewing skills and is keen to unleash their creativity to develop individual headwear at home.
Students will learn to create their own headwear using sinimay, abaca, feathers and ribbon. At the end of the course you will have 6 completed fascinators to take home.

Duration of the course: 6 lessons of two hours each. Time: Wednesday nights weekly 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Fees: $ 350 including materials for the six fascinators shown below.

Comb Fascinator	Headband Fascinator	Round-Base Fascinator
Sculpted Base Fascinator	Sculpted Hat Fascinator	Teardrop Fascinator

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