Pattern Cutting and Drafting for Beginners (one week)

Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week

Indicative maximum class size: 10

On this practical course, you will be introduced to the skill of creating your own blocks and dress pattern from scratch - and work to develop fitting techniques and a series of toiles.

Secure your place with a deposit

If you're booking two months or more before the course starts, we can accept a £100 deposit to secure your place.

The balance is due one month before the course starts.

Course Description

This course is ideal if you are already familiar with sewing and using commercial patterns and would like to start developing your own garment design.

Whether you are already working in the industry, hoping to pursue academic study or are a home dressmaker seeking to improve your skillset, this course will help you develop practical skills in women’s wear garment design and construction.

During the course, you will:

• learn to take measurements correctly
• produce a basic block
• draft a pattern from your own block
• practice lay planning, fabric marking and cutting techniques
• discover how to assemble and fit a toile
• alter and adapt your pattern
• be introduced to techniques through group demonstrations, and benefit from one-to-one tutorials to aid your development.

Depending on how you progress, you might also:

• make your fitted and adjusted garment in a top fabric of your own choice
• create a second set of patterns based on your own design
• look at how to adapt a commercial pattern.

What will you gain?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to create your own bespoke patterns and understand how to alter commercial patterns.

You'll have developed a range of professional skills, and enhanced your portfolio to widen learning or employment opportunities in the future.

Level: Beginner

Entry requirement: Experience in using a sewing machine and working from shop-bought patterns is required.

Where you'll learn: You will be based in the Bonington building at the City Campus, our dedicated art and design hub.

You will have access to an excellent range of facilities and equipment in the fashion studios, with industry-standard pattern cutting tables, professional mannequins and garment production machinery from domestic sewing machines to overlockers and button-hole machinery.

You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.

Here's what some of our previous attendees said:

'The tutor was super encouraging and checked on us throughout each class. We had a hands on approach, being shown a task and able to try it ourselves immediately afterwards. I wish the course was longer!'

'I enjoyed all of it'

'I wanted to learn the proper way of measuring, checking the fittings and adjustments and I achieved all of it' SS

'Leann is a great tutor, we learnt new skills each week' KR

'For someone who wants to learn about pattern drafting and has no idea what to do, this course is the best. My understanding of pattern drafting has improved in every way.'

'The whole course was really interesting and I learnt new techniques every week. I feel confident about drafting and practicing my new skills. Thank you Leann, I had a fantastic time on the course.'

Tutor Profile: Leann Marshall has had a varied career as a costumer for film and theatre, a couture retailer and now runs a bespoke bridal wear design service, alongside prom wear, alterations and design projects.

Additional to working in the garment industry, Leann has had much experience in teaching others in the skills of sewing and garment construction.

Need accommodation?

You can book a self-catered, single room with private bathroom on our city campus, right next door to our studios and classrooms.

Fnid out more here: www.ntu.ac.uk/summeraccommodation

Any questions?

Contact the short course team:

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813