Sunday 9 February 10.30-4.30pm (we hope to schedule a second date, so leave us your details and be the first to know)

Tutor: Marina Havinden

Level - Beginner - 6 places

This full-day workshop is a great skill-builder for beginner dressmakers. The Zara dress is one of our popular children’s patterns, designed by Two Stitches here in the UK. This lovely smock dress has a gathered bodice and optional bow detail. It can be sewn in sizes from 6 months to 9 years. So it’s sure to become a favourite pattern that can be used again and again for maximum value. An ideal workshop for students who would like to start dressmaking.

Marina is an experienced dressmaker and loves sewing clothes for her grand daughter. She’ll show you how to use a dressmaking pattern and will guide you through simple garment construction. Techniques covered include pattern lay plans and grain lines, understanding and marking pattern notations, choosing the right size and cutting out, making a facing, yoke gathering and elasticated hems.

By the end of the day you’ll have made a classic dress - that can be sewn in a variety of cotton fabrics for all year, or cotton double gauze for summer. Hometown’s cotton fabrics are suitable for this project - choose a pretty quiltmaking cotton, gingham or border print for a perfect everyday / party dress. The pattern also includes an option for cap sleeves and a button/loop fastening

Sizes: multisize 6-12 months up to 9 years

Materials and equipment required:

• 112cm / 44-in wide light/medium weight cotton, double gauze cotton, baby cord, lightweight denim - 1.1m- 1.9m depending on age of child (refer to pattern or ask us for advice)

• or 150cm / 60-in wide fabrics as above - 70cm - 1.5m depending on age of child

• 100m cotton / sew-all thread to match your fabric

• H750 Tracing paper if you wish to make a copy of the pattern so you can remake in larger sizes

• 1m of 3-5mm elastic

• Sewing Machine, including straight sewing foot, spare bobbins. Don’t forget your lead and foot pedal. (If you want to travel light, you can book one of our class sewing machines). Simply add to your basket when booking

• Basic sewing kit, including fabric scissors/rotary cutter (as you prefer), fabric marking pen/pencil or tailors’ chalk, pins and stitch ripper. Fabric weights and thread snips (if you use them)

• Large paper scissors

We recommend that all dressmaking fabrics are pre-washed prior to the class. If you need additional haberdashery supplies, you’re able to purchase these during the day.

This class is suitable for beginner dressmakers who are competent at using their sewing machine. The workshop fee includes your own copy of the Two Stitches paper pattern, worth £15.95, so you can make more at home. Please note that we will be using the standard age sizes on the pattern and will not be covering pattern adjustments during the day. Machine sewn.

Refreshments are provided during the day with a break for lunch. You’re welcome to bring your own lunch, or there are many cafes, tearooms and delis in the high street.

Please note we do not send out reminder emails to students before the class as all the information you need is here. General FAQS to workshops found here. For location and car park info, please check our Visit Us page.