Sewing: Patternmaking Extension Course

What you'll learn

Develop your sewing and patternmaking skills, and enhance your professional skillset in the field of fashion design and garment construction, with our sewing short courses in Sydney!

Elevate your patternmaking skills to new heights by learning how to use a pattern block to craft an array of stylish and personalised garments. 

From skirts that twirl with grace to sophisticated shirts, comfortable pants, and elegant dresses - this course empowers students to bring their fashion visions to life.

You'll refine your sewing abilities and learn more advanced techniques, including how to tailor garments to individual measurements, and how to choose the right fabric for your piece. 

This hands-on course will teach you to recognise, name and make patterns for a variety of clothing styles and elements, including:

• Skirts: A-Line, Pencil, Gathered, and Full Circle.
• Shirts: Long Sleeve with cuffs, Gathered Short Sleeve, and Open Front Placket.
• Pants: Fitted, Flared, and Front Tucks.
• Dresses: Shift, Waisted, Slip, and Swing dresses.

If you're looking for an introductory course, our Sewing Essentials or Sewing: Patternmaking Essentials classes may be more suitable.

Join us on a journey of creative expression and functional design, and make yourself a whole new wardrobe!

Learning outcomes

By the end of this patternmaking extension course, you will have learnt how to:

• Use a block pattern to make variations of the block.
• Use a block pattern to make paper patterns of your own design.
• Recognise and name different sleeves, collars, skirts and many other fashion terms and details.

Course content

What will be covered in this patternmaking extension course?

Week 1: Making your own blocks

You may already have blocked in the Sewing: Patternmaking Essentials course. If not, you will be able to create a cardboard block in your own size for future use throughout the course. Using these blocks we will make a variety of paper patterns for skirts, shirts, pants and dresses.

Week 2: Skirts

How to make a variety of skirt patterns from your block:
Eg. A-Line Skirt with Waistband / Pencil Skirt with Facing / Skirt with Yoke / Full Circle Skirt / Gathered Skirt.

Week 3: Shirts

How to make a variety of shirt patterns from your block:
Eg. Sleeveless Shirt / Shirt with gathered Short Sleeves / Shirt with Long Sleeves and Cuff / Collared Shirt.

Week 4: Pants

How to make a variety of pants patterns from your block:
Eg. Pants with Waistband or Facing / Pants with Pockets / Flared Pants.

Week 5: Dresses

How to make a variety of dress patterns from your block:
Eg. Shift Dress / Slip Dress / Swing Dress.

Week 6: Review of Skirts, Shirts, Pants & Dresses

We will review all the paper patterns you have made and you will be able to concentrate on the area you would most like to practice on and/or improve - specialising in any area or asking to learn a particular thing not yet covered in class.

Weeks 7: Your own Design 1

Bring a drawing of your own design to class (front & back picture). It can be a skirt, shirt, pants or dress.
Using all you have learnt from the previous weeks you will be able to use your blocks and paper patterns to create a pattern for your own design.

Weeks 8: Your own Design 2

Continue using all you have learnt from the previous weeks to create a pattern for your own design.

Intended audience

Who is this patternmaking extension course for?

This course is designed for students looking to upskill and expand their knowledge in pattern making, and for professional sewists and garment-makers who wish to consolidate and enhance their professional skillset. Prior experience in pattern making is essential to ensure a smooth transition into this advanced course. It is highly recommended that you have completed our Sewing: Patternmaking Essentials course or have acquired basic pattern-making experience.

Course materials

What to bring to class

• 3 metres of calico
• Ruler (a long ruler over 50cm is ideal)
• Tracing wheel (spiked)
• Paper scissors
• Measuring tape
• Notebook and pens to take notes
• Sharp pencils and a rubber
• Stapler
• Masking Tape
• One red and one black or blue thick marker pens
• An A4 folder with some plastic sheets
• Brown paper lunch bags
• 2 large glue sticks such as UHU
• Water and snacks

Course venue

Rozelle Campus

2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)

Additional information

Please note the following:

• For classes running all day, a 30-minute lunch break will take place halfway through the class. Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch, alternatively, there are cafes and takeaway restaurants nearby on Darling Street. 
• Please wear closed-in shoes.