Introduction to dress making for absolute beginners – Weekend Course

Dates/Times

6 sessions of 2.5 hours each (Saturdays with lunch break)
– Saturday 11th October 2025 10.00am – 4pm
– Saturday 18th October 2025 10.00am – 4pm
– Saturday 25th October 2025 10.00am – 4pm

What to expect

This is a 6 session course spread over 3 days in which you will be introduced to garment making. Each lesson will be structured towards this end goal. We will be using the Montana Dress from Style Arc – an easy to wear pull-on dress with extended shoulders and a loose silhouette and pockets. There are no darts or sleeves so it is a great absolute beginner project (check out #stylearcmontana on Instagram for inspiration). Extension packs are available to use with the original pattern so with confidence, you can go away and make your own adaptions adding sleeves and darts.

By the end of this course you will be confident in selecting the correct size, and fabric for a project. You will understand how to use the direction of the grain of fabric, how to construct and finish a garment that fits and makes you feel fabulous. You will be ready to go home and start on your next project (or book into an intermediate dressmaking workshop).

This course is suitable for beginners.

What to bring?

You will be given guidance about what fabrics to choose on booking the course and how much you will need. The pattern will be provided and details about this will be sent out when you book the course. You may wish to bring a notepad and pen.

Please note that everyone works at a different pace and the below information is for guidance only.

Overview

Day 1: Measuring your body and cutting out your pattern

Key skills:
• identify different parts of garments and the pattern pieces.
• Understand the glossary of sewing terms used in garment making.
• Learn how to take body measurements with a tape measure and record.
• Learn how to determine amount of fabric to buy and what type of fabric and thread
• Learn how to use the direction of the fabric grain and lay pattern pieces on the fold.
• Understand different ways of cutting out (scissors, rotary cutter)
• Using the correct seam allowance etc.

Day 2: Seams and facings

Key skills:
• Preparing facings, using interfacing
• Matching notches
• Pinning pieces ready to sew
• Sewing together with the correct seam allowance

Day 3: Facings, gathers and finishes

Key skills:
• Attaching facings
• Gathering skirt
• Finishing seams
• Troubleshooting
• Hemming
• Neatening all finishes
• Adding trim if time.