This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of patternmaking, combining essential theory with practical, hands on skills you will learn how to take and record accurate body measurements and develop an understanding of how these measurements relate to garment proportions, shape and fit working from a standard size block, you will be guided through the process of adjusting a basic skirt and bodice block to your individual measurements and developing patterns that reflect your unique body shape.

You will learn how to identify key patternmaking features including grainlines, balance lines, darts, seam allowances, notches and shaping, and understand their importance in achieving an accurate fit through practical exercises, you will create a toile from your adjusted patterns, assess the fit on the body and make appropriate pattern alterations based on your observations.

The course will also introduce you to basic pattern manipulation techniques, allowing you to explore how darts, seams, necklines and other design features can be altered to create different garment styles by the end of the course, you will have developed your own basic skirt and bodice blocks and gained the confidence and foundational skills to use these blocks as a starting point for developing your own original garment designs.

Course Outline:

• Lesson 1 – Introduction to patternmaking
• Lesson 2 – Work on patternmaking activities
• Lesson 3 – Pattern make a basic skirt
• Lesson 4 – Pattern make a basic top, learning about darts
• Lesson 5 – Alterating a skirt block to fit you / sew toile / make adjustments
• Lesson 6 – Alterating a bodice block to fit you / sew toile / make adjustments
• Lesson 7 – Checking your own patterns
• Lesson 8 – Completing any unfinished work

(time permitting – Bring a pattern in top or skirt and adapt to fit you)

Please note: Content may vary slightly depending on class pace, participant interests, and instructor approach.

Learning Outcomes:

• Accurate body measuring techniques
• Understand basic blocks (e.g. skirt, bodice)
• Patternmaking tools and terminology
• Making pattern adjustments to improve fit and shape
• Adding ease, seam allowance, darts, and notches
• How to prepare patterns for sewing and fitting
• Developing a personalized set of skirt and bodice pattern blocks

After finishing this course, you may like to continue with our patternmaking course level 1, where you will learn all about sleeves, adjusting sleeves to fit your bodice block. We go into more detail on sleeves and different collars and cowl necklines.

What to bring:

Patternmaking tools:

• Notebook and pens
• Paper scissors
• Marker red/ black, pencil, rubber, ruler, glue stick
• Cardboard or large sheets of paper for patternmaking x 2 sheet.
• Tape measure.
• Calico (or old sheeting) to make your toile.
• Bring a basic skirt and top pattern for the last lesson.

Sewing supplies:

• Pins
• Thread
• Small scissors for cutting threads
• Fabric scissors

Sewing machine supplies:
Sewing machines are limited so if you prefer your own, you are free to bring.

• Domestic sewing needles
• Plastic bobbins
• Quality sewing thread (Gutterman/ rasant)

About the Tutor:

'Mora Cura brings over 35 years of experience in the fashion industry to her teaching. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Applied Fashion Design and Technology and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116). After a long career in the industry, Mora transitioned into teaching and now shares her passion for fashion, sewing, and design through practical, beginner-friendly classes. Her aim is to make patternmaking easier to understand and for you to enjoy and get creative.'

Other Information:

• To ensure resources are ready for you at the start of your course, we ask you ideally enrol at least one week before the course commences.
• All courses need a minimum number of students to run ("we try our hardest to get those") . If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled before the commencement and you will be informed.