West Cork Dressmaking Classes and Sewing Workshops

Why Take a Sewing Class?

Sewing classes are a chance to learn or re-discover skills by working with fabrics in an environment of support and guidance, or just to have the time and space away from your everyday life to do something for yourself. My sewing classes meet you where you are regarding your skill level, whether you are a complete beginner, a little rusty or looking to advance your experience. Dressmaking classes are no larger than five students ensuring you will receive plenty of individual attention. Paper Pieced Patchwork classes are for hand sewing and will accommodate up to a dozen participants.

My most popular course of classes is the four week (with optional 5th week) Bring Your Own Project when you decide what you want to achieve within the sewing realm, from garment making, home wares or garment or homeware repair. From time to time, I run a workshop or course where all students make the same pattern, such as Pyjama Pants or an A -line skirt with a zip. However, there is plenty of opportunity for personal expression through fabric choice and pattern hacks and specific skills are learnt.

Skills covered during Dressmaking Classes include:

Choosing appropriate fabric for your pattern.
Measuring yourself and selecting the right size
Hack a pattern to your own preferences and adjust the fit
Follow a paper pattern, the layout plan, cutting out fabric and transferring of patterns markers
Understanding dressmaking terminology.
Seam options for different fabrics and finishes.
Buttonholes placement and making
Zip fitting
Getting to know your sewing machine
Playing with pattern matching placement for a satisfying result.
Hand sewn finishing

What you will need

Sewing Machine and Sewing Kit
Ideally, bring your own sewing machine and your own sewing kit if you have one. It’s always best to learn on your own machine if you have access to one. Sewing tools and supplies are available to use during the class and a sewing machine is also available if needed.

Pattern
I have a small selection of PDF patterns available to choose from. I also have a comprehensive list of online and in store suppliers for patterns, fabrics and haberdashery - please contact me in advance of the class to allow plenty of time for these to arrive.

Fabric and Haberdashery
A small, but lovely selection of cotton and linen fabric is available to buy from me for your project (you’ll be able to contact me before the class to find out what I have), but you are at liberty to bring your own. I strongly recommend you liaise with me in advance of the class to check what you have in mind is suitable. My preference is always for woven (rather than knit ) natural fibre fabrics as they will be relatively easy to work with and also a pleasure to wear.

Be cautious about choosing a furnishing or upholstery fabric as whilst they can have great visual impact, especially vintage ones, contemporary fabrics in particular may not be easily washable and may have dirt resistant or fire retardant coatings, which would not be ideal worn next to the skin.

Your pattern will also list any other requirements to complete your project, such as matching thread, zips, buttons and interfacing. It won’t be necessary to have these at the first class, so if you’re confused, I can guide you.

Venue

All classes are held at Kilcoe Studios in Ballydehob Village, opposite Camiers Filling Station, in West Cork, Ireland. Several other classes, workshops and events are hosted by Kilcoe Studio - go to their website to find out more.