Perfect Fit Self-Made Wardrobe
…for home sewers who want to master pattern drafting and sew garments that fit beautifully
….WITHOUT complicated maths, trigonometry or botched alterations
This course is perfect for you if:
You're a sewing superstar who's mastered the basics, but still struggles to create garments that fit and flatter your figure (despite hours of tweaking and adjusting).
You're passionate about sustainable fashion and want to create a wardrobe that's both stylish and eco-friendly, but need guidance on how to draft patterns and sew garments that make you feel confident and beautiful.
You're a fashion-forward thinker who's eager to take your sewing skills to the next level, whether you're a fashion student looking to upskill or a seasoned sewer looking to refresh your technique.
During this 5 week course you will…
Draft a garment pattern of your choice to your size from the extensive choice of Lutterloh designs to your measurements
Make a toile (test garment) so that you can perfect the fit and style of your chosen pattern
Create a beautiful, perfectly fitting, professional-looking finished garment that will amaze your friends and family when you tell them you made it.
Whether you're a total beginner or just looking to refresh your skills, our expert sewing instructor Vee Tanner will guide you through every step of the process, providing personalised feedback and support.
This course is designed to help you become confident and enthusiastic about using the Lutterloh pattern drafting system, and to give you the knowledge and skills you need to create a perfectly fitting, beautiful, self-made wardrobe that you'll love wearing.
What’s covered in the course
Week 1: CHOOSE YOUR IDEAL PATTERN AND FABRIC
Select the perfect garment project from the Lutterloh pack that will suit your style so that you enjoy the impressed gasps of surprise from your friends when they curiously ask which designer/store your outfit is from.
From the extensive options on offer, compare and choose the right pattern that isn’t too complex AND matches your current skill level so that you don’t end up throwing it away in exasperation because it was too tricky.
A fresh new approach on how to confidently select the right luscious fabric and notions for you and your pattern, so that you don’t feel frustrated half-way through because you discovered vital notions and haberdashery you didn’t realise you needed.
Week 2: FOOLPROOF PATTERN DRAFTING
How to measure yourself and draft your chosen Lutterloh pattern so what you make feels like it was made exclusively for you even when standard sizes don’t.
Uncomplicated prep so that your pattern pieces match up effortlessly when you assemble it with no risk of seams not aligning.
Amazingly simple technique for notching your fabric pieces with guide marks so that sewing the pieces together is a breeze.
Week 3: TROUBLE-FREE TOILE MAKING
Cut and sew a test garment out of calico, to check and perfect fit and style so that you don’t ruin your good fabric.
Expert fitting guidance so that your final garment looks great on you.
Discover techniques for transferring any adjustments to the paper pattern so you can confidently reuse the pattern in a different fabric and know that it will fit.
Week 4: HARMONIOUS GARMENT ASSEMBLY AND STITCHING
The most frequently used sewing machine settings you will use for your project so that stitching your garment will always be smooth and easy.
Master clever, yet simple construction techniques so that your finished clothing item hangs beautifully and looks better than anything you’d ever buy in a shop.
How to rescue and remedy any goofs so that your project looks amazing (and the only person who will ever know there was a mistake is you).
Week 5: PROFESSIONAL FINISHING
Expert techniques so that the inside of your garment is neat and tidy and doesn’t give away tell-tale signs of ‘homemade’.
Versatile method of hemming so that you can finish off raw edges effectively to prevent them from fraying and shortening the garment’s life.
Understand different fastening options so that you can choose and apply the most practical and stylish one for your particular clothing item.
HOW IT WORKS
The Perfect Fit Self-Made Wardrobe Sewing Programme will take place during 5 sessions over 5 weeks at Chiltern Open Air Museum (Bucks).
Each session will begin with 30 minutes of Vee demonstrating and explaining a drafting, alteration or clothes-making technique, followed by 20 minutes of an optional hot seat where you can ask her your questions and get clarity over your particular sewing project.
Then, you will work independently on your project.
Vee will be on hand throughout to troubleshoot any challenges and answer questions you may have as you work on your sewing project.
We will end our session with a quick update round-the-room, so we can celebrate what each of us has achieved so far.
What is Included
Use of equipment at Chiltern Open Air Museum (iron/ironing board, tables, cutting mats, mannequins, overlocker etc.) during class time
25 hours of tuition
Pattern drafting paper
Use of Lutterloh kit (Or you can purchase your own kit for a special price of £135, which includes a free set of curved rulers worth £30!)
Calico (2m) for toile/test garment
Unlimited tea/coffee
Free on-site parking
Admission to the Museum
Small class sizes (maximum 6)
What you need to bring each week
Fabric/lining/thread
Sewing kit (scissors, pens, pencils etc)
Notions for your garment (e.g. zips, buttons, interfacing)
Your own sewing machine and accessories
There will be an hour’s lunch break, so please bring your own packed lunch or treat yourself to a light lunch in the Museum’s Village Kitchen
Workshop Details
WEEK 1: Sunday 8 September, 10am - 4pm
WEEK 2: Sunday 15 September, 10am - 4pm
WEEK 3: Sunday 22 September, 10am - 4pm
WEEK 4: Sunday 29 September, 10am - 4pm
WEEK 5: Sunday 6 October, 10am - 4pm
Where: Elliott’s Workshop at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Address: Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles HP8 4AB
Maximum places: 6
Minimum age of participants: 12 years (under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
How to Book
The cost of the course is £520 per person
There are a maximum of 6 people in this 5 week workshop.