Welcome to
"The Sewing Workshop™"
Ana Fataccioli's Dressmaking School

Dressmaking, Fitting, Patternmaking, Tailoring and Couture Lessons

Learn to Sew like the Professionals with the guidance of Ana Fataccioli, founder of the Prestigious Dressmaking School “The Sewing Workshop”™. Ana has been teaching since 1997 using her unique teaching method, which has been tested on more than 2,000 students in the past 12 years in Brisbane. Ana is a Fashion Designer with a major in Patternmaking, and is a VET accredited trainer.

Early 2009, Ana has opened a new style of school at Mt Gravatt, that has the added advantages of; extra weekday lessons, more flexible timetables, increased workshop space, as well as new equipment for student use. Ana’s NEW "Sewing Workshop™" uses fresh and innovative methods, with the assistance of an extensive modern library containing the latest sewing and patternamking books and DVDs for student use.

Ana’s continuous research into new techniques ensures that all students are taught the highest level of innovative Dressmaking and Patternmaking skills like no other school in Brisbane.

Class in progress

Dressmaking lessons

“The Sewing Workshop”™ offers group tuition with a maximum of 5 students. Classes run on continuous enrolment system. Regardless of your sewing level, you can start anytime providing there is a space on the day you choose. Class sizes are kept small so the different sewing ability levels in each class can be adequately catered for.

Students progress from one level to another and enroll in blocks of 5 lessons at a time either weekly or fortnightly depending on what suits and also the availability of spaces. After the first block students can enroll in further blocks. Dressmaking lessons run for 3.5 hours per week and Patternmaking lessons for 3 hours.

Stages that students progress through are:

Learn the Basics of Dressmaking
Sewing for Teenagers
Beginners Dressmaking
Intermediate Dressmaking
Advanced Dressmaking

child sewing

Teenager is confidently using
an overlocker

Due to the high demand for Dressmaking lessons, this year (2009), the School is offering more lessons per week. To cater for these additional lessons there are two new teachers trained by Ana. Between them the teachers have over 20 years experience. The teachers use the same methods as Ana uses; in fact the teachers were once Ana’s best students.

Special Interest areas :

Also the School covers special interest areas such as:

Tailoring
Couture
Stretchwear
Lingerie
Bra and corset making
Bridal
Children’s wear
Master your overlocking

Busy class!

Whether you interest lies in learning techniques for making swimwear or bras, jackets, or refined Couture we cater for your needs. We tailor the lessons to suit your ability level.

My motto is “ From Jeans….. to Bridal”…..: No matter what your level of sewing ability I will teach you to sew any garment …it .is just a matter of time.

Special courses and topics:

There is also available a special course for school students: "Sewing for Teenagers". This course is conducted during school holidays and previous student’s ages have varied from as young as 9 years to teenagers. Students begin with very easy and fun projects that give them confidence on using the sewing machine. Students can repeat the course as many times as they want as each time they do the course they develop more skills by completing more advanced projects.

Ana and Mariana Fataccioli (tutor) with a group of teenagers, September 2009

At “The Sewing Workshop”™ you will learn the basics of successful Fitting before you put your scissors near your fabric.

Take the guesswork out of using any brand of commercial patterns by applying the fitting techniques you learn. You will learn to adjust your patterns to fit your measurements. Fitting is the stone of good Dressmakers and is a science and an art.

Learn also in Dressmaking lessons, how to copy garments. Learn the Knock-off technique and copy your favourite garments. Make several of them.

In the Dressmaking courses, you will learn The Secrets of the Trade, … Ana is very generous with her knowledge sharing all secrets and tips. Also you can take advantage of using the modern library which is located in the shop. The library consists of over 300 books and more than 50 DVD’s and videos which cover all aspects of Patternmaking and Dressmaking. The collection dates from 2000 onwards so all content covered is up-to-date. Other facilities for use by students are a photocopier and a TV to view the DVD’s and videos.

Patternmaking Courses:

Patternmaking for Fashion Design I
Patternmaking for Fashion Design II

Patternmaking courses are taught in a more formal classroom situation with a different topic covered each week. Courses start and finish on given dates. Patternmaking I is a pre-requisite to Patternmaking II.

In Patternmaking you will learn the skills to create your own styles either copied from magazines, internet, television or from your own creation. The big advantage of creating your own pattern is that –the finished garment will fit you.

Students can also gain motivation by looking at the works from prestigious designers in the different patternmaking books and CD’s.

Rosalind making her
wedding dress

“The Sewing Workshop”™ School offers hands-on courses that use practical methods that aim to help you to become a Professional Dressmaker or to advance your Patternmaking skills.

Email me for a brochure and to obtain further information on timetables and prices, or to ask for further information.

Lessons are held week days (between school hours), two evenings a week as well as on Saturday mornings and afternoons for the busy ladies.

My advice is always the same… As soon as you decide to come to our Dressmaking school, put your name down on the day and time that suits you. You don’t need to pay anything. Usually we have waiting list on all the courses.

DVD ”How to Sew Zippers”

New zippers DVD Do you have problems with zippers? Does your finished garment have that home-made look because your zipper has teeth showing and crooked sewing lines? Not any more!

Ana Fataccioli has produced a unique DVD which shows you how to sew six different type of zippers. The DVD uses simple language and combined with the easy to follow instructions. You will end up with a successful sewing experience with professional results.

Topics covered: centred zipper, lapped zippers, fly front zipper, invisible zippers, exposed zippers and zippered pocket - six kinds of zippers with different finishing such as with a waistband, facings and linings. Duration 115 minutes.

Our Students Showing their Creations
Beginner	Phoebe when she was a beginner	Beginner
Adriana and Kath wearing their jackets	Julie wearing her jacket	Cheryl in her dress
Rosalind in her wedding dress		Simone in her wedding dress