In my first post, I mentioned that I recently signed up to a dressmaking course. Over the years I’ve done a few evening courses: creative writing, Italian and even one certificate in modern European history (200 years in 20 weeks – baptism of fire anyone?). This time, I thought I’d go for something a bit more practical.

The course I went with is run by the local council – two hours a week for ten weeks. As I wanted to start sewing anyway, I thought it would be good to have someone keeping an eye on me while I started. I thought we’d go over how to thread and use a machine, then work our way through a few basic projects – making a simple top, maybe an a-line skirt, that sort of thing. Sound logical?

Well apparently not. This course is so much more. We didn’t even touch the machines the first week. Instead we talked about how to measure and cut different necklines. Apparently there are standard measurements for these things – who knew?

So I now have a range of necklines cut out on paper (with the measurements marked) as a reference guide.

Turns out we’re not just going to learn how to sew a garment from a pattern, we’re learning how to design garments as well!

Over the last few weeks we’ve been working on a sample – learning and practising the techniques we’ll use when we create a real garment. Here’s my sample so far:

So far we’ve covered:

• Cutting the front neckline
• Using iron-on interfacing
• Sewing on the facing and turning out the neckline
• Tacking and then blind hemming the neckline
• Cutting the back neckline
• Sewing the front and back together
• Making our own bias binding
• Sewing on the bias binding

It’s only been five weeks!

This week we did taking measurements and started on sleeves. Rather than measuring ourselves, we had to bring in a dress or top and take measurements from that. These then translate to a rather bewildering diagram for the sleeves. This make sense to anyone?

Not entirely sure how this will become an actual sleeve – but I guess we’ll see.

It may have only been five weeks, but I feel like I’ve learnt so much already. I’m fairly confident now at threading the machine (even if the ones in class are different to mine). I’m also getting better at my foot control, even if my stitching isn’t always as straight as it could be.

As it’s a mixed class, I can see how much progress has been made by those who started just a term before me. They’re now drawing sketches of what they want to make and the tutor talks them through how to make it a reality.

I still feel like a raw beginner most of the time, but I’m beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel. What I’ve sewn so far may not be perfect, but given how far I’ve come already I’m excited to see what a difference five more weeks will make. 

And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be one of those who can design her own patterns as well as sewing from them. Now there’s something to aim for…