Learning Something New Every Day – Sew and Learn Package

The Sleeveless Shift Dress is a great place to start learning how to fit your sewing patterns and how to make simple pattern adjustments for new design ideas.  The Sewing Pattern comes in 10 Sizes (4-22) and three different print options ( A0, A4 and Plotter).  Included with your sewing pattern purchase are four stages to the learning process as detailed tutorials (all PDF downloads):

1. • Pattern Preparation (10 pages) – Body measurements and accurate size selection.

1. • Pattern Fitting (18 pages) – Dress fitting techniques that transfer to all your sewing patterns.

1. • Pattern Adjustments (17 pages) – New design ideas and the pattern adjustments to redesign your shift sewing pattern.

1. • Dart Transfer Options (12 pages) – Inspiration to draft your own design ideas.

You’ll learn how to alter the vertical measurements in your pattern and shift your bust dart so it’s pointing in the right direction.  And most crucially how to make a Full Bust Adjustment to finalise the perfect personal fit for your Shift Dress.   This pattern has no sleeve so you can focus on fitting the body of the garment before tackling the complications of set in sleeves.  That’ll come later in future Sewing and Learning Packages.

The Pattern Alterations Tutorial covers a number of new design ideas you can try using your newly fitted shift dress pattern.  You’ll learn to change the neckline, make a princess panel dress and add flare to your hemline.  And finally the instructions to finish off your shift whether you make a summer or winter version.  You can either make bias binding to finish your armholes and neckline or draft an all-in-one facing for a summer shift.  And the full instructions to draft your own lining patterns for a winter pinafore.

For all the sewing teachers out there you’re able to purchase these resources for your own teaching practice.   Use the drop down menu to make your selection.  And make contact so we can chat about how I managed the teaching of pattern fitting in the classroom.  If you’d like to have a look at a small sample of the kind of pattern fitting instructions I provide you’ll find an example in this blog post.