The Rare School of fashion
The Eight
Cornwallis street
Liverpool 1
Dates 23rd, 30th of march, 7th and 14th of April
Other dates throughout the year available
12-3 pm
Cost £135 for 3 weeks ( predominantly pattern cutting)
£180 for 4 weeks ( extra dressmaking tuition if needed)
Parking on Cornwallis street £5.00 for three hours
10 minute walk from central train station
Tea, coffee and biscuits provided throughout the class
Small class three students to one tutor.
What you will learn on this course
This course is an introduction to flat pattern cutting. You will learn how to create a perfectly fitting block pattern for your individual measurements using tried and tested pattern cutting techniques.
You will then learn how to use this block to create a style of your choice ( nothing too complicated at this stage)
You will then be given support when making your dress and learn couture finish techniques
Achieving the perfect fit. Session 1
The first part of the course you will learn how to alter your flat pattern block to fit your body measurements
First of all you will practice using a grader which is an essential tool in pattern cutting
You will be given a standard block in a size that is closest to your own body measurements it is stuck to Manila card so you can trace around it easily
You will individually trace around your block onto paper and then cut it out to make a working pattern, transferring, notches, grain lines and darts.
Starting with the skirt block
You will alter the skirt block to your own personal hip and waist measurements (if required)
The bodice block
You will compare the measurements of the block to your own body measurements
You will learn how to alter the block to fit you perfectly
This may include a full bust alteration or reducing or increasing darts
You will learn about ease
The sleeve
You will trace off the sleeve block and increase or decrease the length if needed
Suggested homework (optional)
You may make up a toille of your pattern block to test fit
Altering the Style session 2
In this section you will learn how to manipulate the pattern block to make your design choice
The skirt
You will increase or decrease skirt length
You will learn how to alter the shape of the skirt to either, flared, a-line or other basic shaped skirt.
You will add seam allowances and notation
The bodice
You will a alter dart positions using slash and spread method, you will learn how darts can be transformed into tucks, gathers etc.
You will alter the neckline according to your design
You will make facings
You will add notation
You will add seam allowance
The sleeve
You will learn how to add fullness, alter style of your sleeve
Making a toille (optional)
If you want to skip this and go straight to dressmaking it’s fine but if you prefer to concentrate on the pattern cutting element of this course we suggest you will learn more by makin a toille of your design to test and perfect the pattern.
This is a mock up of your style in cheap fabric so you can test and alter your pattern.
There is no need for finishing such as overlocking, zips or facings to be added at this stage just dart, side and shoulder seams.
You will try and fit your toille and if necessary make adjustment to your pattern
Making your dress . Session 3
(And 4 optional)
This section is the dressmaking part of the course you will learn how to get a couture finish to you’re garment.
We run an extra optional dressmaking class for anyone who needs extra help with any of these techniques in finishing their garment.
You will learn
how to position your pattern pieces onto you fabric for cutting and how to transfer markings onto your fabric from the pattern
How to use an overlocker
How to insert a sleeve
How to add a facing or collar
How to insert a zip
How to press at each stage for a neat finish
How to add a pocket. (Optional)
Equipment
We have all of this equipment on site but please feel free to bring your own if you have it. You may not want to carry your sewing machine / overlocker in, that’s ok we have some domestics and industrials on site
Sewing machine
Scissors
Thread, please bring you own colour match
Pins
Tailors chalk
Snippers or stitch ripper for unpicking
Hand sewing needles
Reading glasses,( if you have trouble threading a needle) sorry this may sound obvious but lots of people forget them.
Liverpool Pattern and Sample 