ADVANCED SEWING

Date: Saturday, March 14 Time: 10am–4pm Duration: 6hrs Format: In-person, hands-on workshop Location: 92 Leveson St, North Melbourne Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced. Confident sewing knowledge and a solid understanding of basic garment construction is required. Best suited to This workshop is designed for sewists who have experience with garment construction and would like to elevate their skills through focused, hands-on prototype work. It is ideal for: Intermediate to advanced sewists wanting to develop more refined construction techniques Fashion students looking to expand their practical garment making skills Designers wanting to deepen their understanding of complex sewing methods Anyone ready to move beyond the basics and challenge themselves with advanced techniques Participants should have confident sewing knowledge and a solid understanding of basic garment construction before attending. Overview In this hands-on workshop participants will work through a series of half-garment samplers, each focusing on a distinct set of advanced construction techniques — all under the guidance of experienced practitioners. The day is self-paced, allowing participants to work through as many samplers as they are comfortable with. Each sampler introduces individual techniques that build toward a broader understanding of garment creation. The aim is to develop mastery of key construction methods through focused, practical repetition. Participants are welcome to bring their own domestic sewing machine or use the speed-controlled industrial machines available in the studio. What you will learn Participants will develop practical skills across several advanced areas of garment construction. Half Proto 1: Panelled Bodice Panelled bodice with faced neckline, gathered sleeve head, and elastic trim cuff. Correctly sew shaped bodice seams including pressing techniques Apply front and back neck facing with back stitching Understand gather amounts for correct sleeve insertion Use cuff hem allowance creatively for decorative finishes Finish the back neckline with capped seam techniques Half Proto 2: Bodice with Pintuck Placket Bodice with pintuck placket opening, soft draped X-cut pussy bow collar, and bound armholes. Master the differences between left and right methods of pintuck plackets Sew a soft draped bias-cut pussy bow collar Apply bias cut back bind for a clean finish Use external topstitched darts as design features for bodice shaping Half Proto 3: Bias-Cut Bodice Bias-cut bodice with a cut French dart and French seams, exposed neck bind, and keyhole opening. Work with light bias-cut cloth and understand its properties Engineer a cut French dart into a French seam Apply a bias edge to the neckline Create a keyhole bound back neck opening Finish the armhole with a gradient folded ruffle edge By the end of the workshop participants will have a thorough understanding of advanced garment prototyping techniques and the confidence to apply them independently in future projects. What is provided All cut prototype work for each sampler Sewing machines and overlockers Thread and general sewing supplies A supportive studio environment throughout the day What to bring Thread snips Tape measure Pins Notebook Your own domestic sewing machine (optional — studio machines are available) Spots are limited — Book now! Inclusivity Statement The Pattern Making Class welcomes participants of all backgrounds, identities, and skill levels, including trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals. We strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.