Dressmaking
Dressmaking gives you the opportunity to create clothes that are made by you, for you. From understanding a commercial pattern and choosing suitable fabric to constructing, fitting and finishing a garment, there are lots of skills to discover as your confidence develops.
Whether you are completely new to dressmaking, returning to it after a break or would like help developing a particular skill, our practical, supportive sessions allow you to learn at your own pace.
We have highlighted some of the dressmaking workshops available here at RE Treats Plymouth below. If the workshop you are looking for isn't currently running, there is a particular technique you would like to learn, or you would prefer individual tuition, please get in touch and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Patterns
Discover how a commercial sewing pattern works before you begin making your first garment. Learn how to understand pattern markings and instructions, lay out pattern pieces correctly and cut accurately, giving you the foundations you need to start dressmaking with confidence.
Construction
Take the next step and turn pattern pieces into a wearable garment. Learn how to prepare your pattern and fabric, construct the different sections of an upper-body garment and use the appropriate techniques to finish it neatly.
Please note: Completing this stage and your garment will require more than one workshop session. Please allow for this when planning and booking your sessions.
Tailoring
Develop your dressmaking skills further by exploring how pattern, construction and fit work together. Learn to follow more complex pattern instructions, understand shaping and fitting, and use tailoring techniques to create a wearable lower-body garment.
Please note: This is a multi-session stage. The number of sessions needed will depend on the garment, its complexity and your individual progress, so please be prepared to book more than one session to complete it.
Finishing
Bring together your developing dressmaking skills as you work with more challenging fabrics and construction techniques. Explore traditional and professional finishing methods, including hand-tailored techniques, as you work towards creating a wearable tailored jacket.
Please note: A tailored jacket is a substantial project and will require several sessions to complete. Please take this into account when booking this stage.
More ways to learn and create
Your dressmaking journey doesn't have to stop with the stages above. Throughout the year, you can explore different garments, fabrics and techniques, giving you opportunities to develop your skills and take on new challenges as your confidence grows.
If you have a particular pattern you'd like help with, a garment you've started and become stuck on, or a specific dressmaking technique you'd like to learn, bespoke tuition is also available. Sessions can be tailored around what you would like to achieve and are available as individual tuition if you prefer to learn one-to-one.
If there is a particular sewing technique or project you would like to tackle, or you would prefer to learn on your own, bespoke one-to-one sessions are also available. Get in touch and we can discuss what you would like to learn and create a session around you.
Need supplies for your machine sewing?
If you're building your dressmaking kit or looking for useful tools and materials, take a look at my dressmaking recommendations in the RE Treats Amazon shop. I've brought together useful craft supplies in one place to make it easier to find what you need.
