TRADITIONAL BESPOKE TAILORING TASTER SESSION    

Course tutor: Jane White and Guest Tutor, (Cutter & Tailor)

Skill level: intermediate and advanced

Our weekend course introduces the traditional craft of bespoke tailoring.

Join Jane and our Qualified and experience guest tutor for this hands-on, practical course introducing the techniques, materials and sewing skills which are used to make a beautiful hand-tailored jacket.

The course is limited to 4 students ensuring you get the plenty of teaching time and support.

What the course covers:

1 An introduction to tailoring

What is traditional bespoke tailoring and how is it different to ‘dressmaker’ tailoring and the ready-to-wear garment? What makes a garment bespoke and why is it an important difference making the cost significantly higher.

2 Outer fabrics

With such a wide range of fabrics on offer, which fabrics can you choose to make a hand-tailored garment a cut above the rest. Review of the different types of wool fabrics which are typically used.

3 What goes on the inside

It’s what goes on inside the garment that give the fabulous finish on the outside. We will introduce you to traditional canvases, tapes and the wadding used.  We will look at the range of sew-in interfaces and how they are used to create the shaping of the jacket.

4 Hand stitching

Whilst the sewing machine has become the main instrument in dressmaking, tailoring still relies on hand-stitching to give structure and shape. Discover pad-stitching, herringbone, tailor tacking and basting to name a few.

5 Pressing

Pressing isn’t ironing! Wield your iron and pressing cloth for pressing perfection and a professional finish.

6 What we will be making

We will create the internal canvas structure of the jacket, including how to create and shape the internal front and attach it to the wool outer layer. During the course we will work on a sample standard sized women’s jacket.

We will also look at jet pockets and talk through some of the other areas which will be included in a bespoke jacket.

You will practice hand stitching techniques and homework will be provided to enable you to make samples of pad stitching, buttonholes and jet pockets.

If you would like to progress to making a full jacket, there will be an opportunity to progress in the Autumn with further courses, including the full techniques for making up, creating sleeves, lining and finishing.

7 Materials provided

Wool outer fabric – choose from Navy, black or brown, the front pieces will be cut out ready for you in a standard size 12

Canvas and padding will also be cut out ready for you

Threads

8 What you will need to bring

Sewing kit

Sewing machine – you are welcome to bring your sewing machine but if it is over 12 months old it will require a current PAT certificate. We do also have studio machines you can use.

9 Skill level

The taster session for traditional bespoke tailoring course is suitable for intermediate and advance level sewers.

We are always happy to chat so, if you are not sure your skill set matches the course requirements, just give us a call or arrange to pop into the studio so we can discuss the course.

Other information

Refreshments are provided. You can bring a packed lunch, pre-order lunch from the on-site café or nip down to Tesco’s next door.

Photos examples for the website and information sheet.