Beginners Pattern Cutting Course
Ever wondered how patterns are made or wanted to make your own but don’t know how? During this course you will learn how to produce your own block pattern and be introduced to a variety of methods used to adapt blocks for your own ideas.
The course incorporates both of the beginners pattern cutting short courses parts 1 and 2 (below) and includes additional time to explore and develop patterns for your own ideas. It will give you a very good skills grounding in pattern cutting and give you the confidence to continue creating patterns independently.
Starting with the skirt block (or another simple garment in agreement with the tutor), you will draft a block pattern and make a calico toile. The block pattern can be made to a standard measurement e.g size 12 or your own measurements. If you would like to make patterns for someone else, this is possible but please contact Lisa in advance so you can get advice on taking accurate body measurements.
During the second part of the course you will learn a variety of creative ways to use pattern cutting to adapt blocks and other patterns to your own ideas. You will develop your ideas through a range of pattern cutting processes such as adding and moving seam lines, dart manipulation and elimination and creating/suppressing fullness in a pattern. Although fashion design drawings are a good indicator for a final product, the technical aspects of pattern cutting have just as important influence in how a final garment looks and can be an equally creative process.
The final part of the course is about applying the techniques learnt to develop patterns for your own ideas. Sample pieces and toiles will be produced to explore ideas, review your work and to check the pattern accuracy. The emphasis of this course is on pattern cutting - If you would like help with cutting and making up a finished garment from an existing pattern you can read about the sewing classes here.
The content of this course will give you the skills required to continue with pattern cutting independently. If you would like to follow on, you could attend the returners/indtermediate pattern cutting course or workshops, or build on your garment construction skills in the sewing classes
Course dates:
14th November - 12th December (5 weeks)
Fridays 10.00 a.m - 2.30 p.m
March 6th - 10th April 2026 (5 weeks)
Fridays 10.15 a.m - 2.45 p.m.
(no class 4th April)
Maximum of 5 students per class
The full cost of this course is £295
Please note a 50 % deposit (£147.50) is required to secure your place. You will be sent a link approximately 2 weeks before the course begins so you can make the final payment.
Ever wondered how patterns are made or wanted to make your own but don’t know how? During this course you will learn how to produce your own block pattern and be introduced to a variety of methods used to adapt blocks for your own ideas.
The course incorporates both of the beginners pattern cutting short courses parts 1 and 2 (below) and includes additional time to explore and develop patterns for your own ideas. It will give you a very good skills grounding in pattern cutting and give you the confidence to continue creating patterns independently.
Starting with the skirt block (or another simple garment in agreement with the tutor), you will draft a block pattern and make a calico toile. The block pattern can be made to a standard measurement e.g size 12 or your own measurements. If you would like to make patterns for someone else, this is possible but please contact Lisa in advance so you can get advice on taking accurate body measurements.
During the second part of the course you will learn a variety of creative ways to use pattern cutting to adapt blocks and other patterns to your own ideas. You will develop your ideas through a range of pattern cutting processes such as adding and moving seam lines, dart manipulation and elimination and creating/suppressing fullness in a pattern. Although fashion design drawings are a good indicator for a final product, the technical aspects of pattern cutting have just as important influence in how a final garment looks and can be an equally creative process.
The final part of the course is about applying the techniques learnt to develop patterns for your own ideas. Sample pieces and toiles will be produced to explore ideas, review your work and to check the pattern accuracy. The emphasis of this course is on pattern cutting - If you would like help with cutting and making up a finished garment from an existing pattern you can read about the sewing classes here.
The content of this course will give you the skills required to continue with pattern cutting independently. If you would like to follow on, you could attend the returners/indtermediate pattern cutting course or workshops, or build on your garment construction skills in the sewing classes
Course dates:
14th November - 12th December (5 weeks)
Fridays 10.00 a.m - 2.30 p.m
March 6th - 10th April 2026 (5 weeks)
Fridays 10.15 a.m - 2.45 p.m.
(no class 4th April)
Maximum of 5 students per class
The full cost of this course is £295
Please note a 50 % deposit (£147.50) is required to secure your place. You will be sent a link approximately 2 weeks before the course begins so you can make the final payment.
Beginners Pattern Cutting
Short Course (Part 1)
Block Patterns
This pattern cutting short course will introduce you to the method of flat pattern cutting to create a ‘block’ pattern. It will enable you to begin making patterns to accurately fit and take the guesswork out of using ready made patterns. Starting with the skirt block (or another simple garment as agreed with the tutor), you will draft a block pattern and make a calico toile (mock-up). The block pattern can be made to your own measurements or a standard measurement e.g size 12. If you would like to make patterns for someone else, this is possible but please contact Lisa in advance as we need to ensure you bring the correct measurements to the first session.
This course is a very good introduction to making your own block patterns that can then be used to create adaptions for your own ideas. It is suitable for all levels including complete beginners and effectively compliments the Creative Pattern Cutting course below.
Returners/intermediate students can also attend this course to develop more complex block patterns such as a bodice, coat or trouser block.
Next course dates:
Monday 22nd & Tuesday 23rd December (2 days)
10.00 a.m - 2.30 p.m
3rd - 24th February 2026 (4 evenings)
Tuesdays 6.15 - 8.30 p.m
Maximum of 5 students per class.
Cost £145
All equipment, tools, spot and cross pattern paper, card and calico are provided.
Short Course (Part 1)
Block Patterns
This pattern cutting short course will introduce you to the method of flat pattern cutting to create a ‘block’ pattern. It will enable you to begin making patterns to accurately fit and take the guesswork out of using ready made patterns. Starting with the skirt block (or another simple garment as agreed with the tutor), you will draft a block pattern and make a calico toile (mock-up). The block pattern can be made to your own measurements or a standard measurement e.g size 12. If you would like to make patterns for someone else, this is possible but please contact Lisa in advance as we need to ensure you bring the correct measurements to the first session.
This course is a very good introduction to making your own block patterns that can then be used to create adaptions for your own ideas. It is suitable for all levels including complete beginners and effectively compliments the Creative Pattern Cutting course below.
Returners/intermediate students can also attend this course to develop more complex block patterns such as a bodice, coat or trouser block.
Next course dates:
Monday 22nd & Tuesday 23rd December (2 days)
10.00 a.m - 2.30 p.m
3rd - 24th February 2026 (4 evenings)
Tuesdays 6.15 - 8.30 p.m
Maximum of 5 students per class.
Cost £145
All equipment, tools, spot and cross pattern paper, card and calico are provided.
Beginners Pattern Cutting Short Course
Creative Pattern Cutting (Part 2)
This pattern cutting short course focuses on adapting blocks to your own ideas.
You will learn exciting ways to develop your ideas through adapting block patterns using a range of pattern cutting processes such as dart manipulation, adding seam lines and creating/suppressing fullness. Working half scale with paper patterns and fabric you will learn the fundamentals of pattern manipulation. It will enable you to make design adjustments to existing patterns and use block patterns in an exciting and creative way to develop your own design ideas.
Although fashion design drawings are a good indicator for a final product, the technical aspects of pattern cutting have just as important influence in how a final garment looks and can be an equally creative process. This course is a great introduction to creative pattern drafting for complete beginners and it effectively compliments the block pattern course above. Beginners Pattern Cutting parts 1 & 2 can be completed either way round.
Following on from these two short courses (or the full pattern cutting for beginners course) you can progress on to the returners/intermediate courses and workshops.
Next course dates:
13th & 20th December 2025 (2 days)
Saturdays 10.15 a.m - 4.30 p.m
18th March - 15th April 2026 (5 evenings)
Wednesdays 6.00 - 8.45 p.m
Cost: £185
Maximum of 5 students per class.
All equipment, tools, spot and cross pattern paper, card, calico and other fabrics are provided.
Creative Pattern Cutting (Part 2)
This pattern cutting short course focuses on adapting blocks to your own ideas.
You will learn exciting ways to develop your ideas through adapting block patterns using a range of pattern cutting processes such as dart manipulation, adding seam lines and creating/suppressing fullness. Working half scale with paper patterns and fabric you will learn the fundamentals of pattern manipulation. It will enable you to make design adjustments to existing patterns and use block patterns in an exciting and creative way to develop your own design ideas.
Although fashion design drawings are a good indicator for a final product, the technical aspects of pattern cutting have just as important influence in how a final garment looks and can be an equally creative process. This course is a great introduction to creative pattern drafting for complete beginners and it effectively compliments the block pattern course above. Beginners Pattern Cutting parts 1 & 2 can be completed either way round.
Following on from these two short courses (or the full pattern cutting for beginners course) you can progress on to the returners/intermediate courses and workshops.
Next course dates:
13th & 20th December 2025 (2 days)
Saturdays 10.15 a.m - 4.30 p.m
18th March - 15th April 2026 (5 evenings)
Wednesdays 6.00 - 8.45 p.m
Cost: £185
Maximum of 5 students per class.
All equipment, tools, spot and cross pattern paper, card, calico and other fabrics are provided.