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.
Summer Sunday Sewing Workshops 2026
Bring Your Own Project
A series of one day Sunday workshops
10am - 5pm
Sunday 28th June - fully booked
Sunday 5th July - fully booked
Sunday 19th July - fully booked
more workshop dates to be confirmed
Paper Piecing Patchwork
Sunday 9th August 2026 | 10am - 4pm. | €60
Spend the day engaged in the craft of English Paper Piecing Patchwork where your hands will join shapes in colourful printed cotton fabrics and Irish linen to create a patchwork sample. This year the theme is hexagons and illustrations and samples will give you ideas of how you might design your own piece and place colour and pattern.
Historically, patchwork was a way to utilise small remnants of fabric that otherwise would go to waste and create something useful, such as a bed covering. The focus here is on the mindful practice of hand work, using sewing skills to make a patchwork mat, but later you could incorporate the piece into a larger project, such as a bed quilt, a cushion, a bag.
The emphasis of this workshop is to engage the eye and the hand and lose yourself in the rhythmic, meditative practices of hand sewing. It is about being in the present moment and enjoying the making. The intention is to focus on the process of making, rather than being concerned with a completed project. An opportunity to improve hand sewing skills, too.
The cost is inclusive of all materials, however, if you have your own sewing kit you may prefer to bring it and use what is familiar to you.
*Lunch is not provided, so please bring it with you or avail from several of the cafes and shops within Ballydehob village.*
At Kilcoe Studios, Ballydehob, P81X009 (opposite Camier’s Filling Station in Ballydehob village.)
BOOKING - Please book for this workshop by mailing events@kilcoestudios.com with ‘Patchwork’ in the subject or text 087 0667871.
Autumn Classes 2026
Bring Your Own Project
Wednesday Evening Classes from 6.30-9pm
beginning late September / early October
