Fashion Pattern Cutting Course

Friends Pattern Cutting Classes (& Contact)

2007-07-19T11:25:00.000-07:00

OCTOBER 2011 - JULY 2012

Design your own clothes - no previous experience necessary

Fully qualified teacher – over 10 years experience

Good preparation for access courses, degrees in fashion, textiles etc.

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Structured teaching in 10 week blocks.

Learn how to make patterns for you - skirts, dresses, shirts & trousers.

Basic equipment – set squares, metre rules - available.

Class size 8 students for maximum one-to-one tuition.

Classes at Friends Meeting House, 61 Church Hill, Winchmore Hill, London N21 1LE Close Winchmore Hill station - London Rail trains from Finsbury Park 12 min Local Buses 125, 329 and W9 (See 'Travel - Location' link)

Dates & Times

Saturday daytime classes in term times

Beginners/Intermediate mixed classes: 10.00 am - 12.30 pm & 2.00 pm - 4.30 pm

Autumn Term 2011 - 10 weekly classes - starts 1 October (last class 10 December 2011; no class on 29 October)

Spring Term 2012 - 10 weekly classes - starts 21 January (last class 31 March 2012; no class on 3 March)

Summer Term 2012 - 10 weekly classes - starts 28 April (last class 30 June)

FEES

10 week block of classes - £125-00. Place confirmed with £30 deposit, balance before end of first class.

(Booking deposit refunded if class doesn't form. Full payment possible at end of first class if spaces available.)

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Contact: linda@winchmore.demon.co.uk

Teacher Profile - Linda Powell

2007-07-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

I have longstanding commercial and freelance experience in designing and making clothes and teaching pattern cutting. In the past I ran my own studio, employing half a dozen people, creating designs for small specialist fashion outlets in London and the USA – including a project for ‘Vogue’.

Alongside my continuing freelance work for private clients I have taught pattern cutting classes at an adult education college in Central London since 1996. I also mentor new fashion designers, providing a professional pattern cutting and pre-production service.

As part of my continuing professional development I gained a post-graduate Innovative Pattern Cutting qualification at Central Saint Martins, London in 2007.

The Friends Pattern Cutting Classes which I set up locally have been running continuously since January 2005.

Travel - Location

2007-07-19T11:19:00.000-07:00

Travel - Location

Friends Meeting House, 61 Church Hill, Winchmore Hill, London N21 1LE

The Friends Meeting House is about a 3 minute walk from Winchmore Hill mainline Station. Leaving the station turn right, continue past the shops on right-hand side of The Green to the Kings Head pub and then into Church Hill.

Train: Winchmore Hill Station (Zone 4) is on the London Rail (First Capital Connect) service – about 12 minutes from Finsbury Park Station (Underground/London Rail). Winchmore Hill station is in Zone 4 - Travel and Oyster Cards are valid.

Arriving at Finsbury Park tube station on Piccadilly & Victoria lines look for overhead illuminated 'British Rail' or 'National Rail' sign, go up spiral staircase and head for overground platform 5/6 - check display screen for station listing. Take trains going to/via Hertford North.

Saturday trains normally leave Finsbury Park at 9.32 am (arrives Winchmore Hill Station 9.45 am for 10.00 am class); 1.32 pm (arrives Winchmore Hill Station 1.45 pm for 2.00 pm class). Same trains leave Kings Cross 9.26 am and 1.26 pm respectively.

Wednesday evening trains: normally leave Finsbury Park 18.30 (and 18.40) arriving Winchmore Hill Station about 12 minutes later in time for the 7.00 pm class. The same trains leave Moorgate 18.18 (and 18.28) and Highbury & Islington (easy change with Victoria Line) 18.26 (and 18.36).

Buses: Routes 329 and 125 stop at Winchmore Hill, Green Lanes. Walk up Station Road past the station and follow directions as above. Route W9 stops on request at The Green, Winchmore Hill.

Location Map:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=531293&Y=194574&A=Y&Z=110

Course Information

2007-07-19T11:15:00.001-07:00

Course Information

Beginners
Start making simple patterns to your own measurements – and develop your own ideas. Suitable for anyone with an interest in fashion and making clothes. No previous experience necessary, some sewing skills useful. (Click on 'Course Details' for further information)

Intermediate
Suitable for those who have completed a beginners course, have made their own blocks, understand basic dart manipulation and want to progress on to more complex patterns. (Click on 'Course Details' for further information)

Beginners Pattern Cutting - Course Details

2007-07-19T11:02:00.000-07:00

Beginners Pattern Cutting - Course Details

1. Course Aims
• To introduce you to the tools and basic skills of flat pattern cutting, and to enable you to produce garment blocks to your own measurements.

• Each term covers a specific block and various designs that can be developed from them. The September term covers the skirt block. The January term covers the close-fitting bodice and sleeve block. The summer term covers the trouser block. Men's pattern blocks can be included.

• All students are encouraged to work at their own pace.

2. Who Can Join?

All beginners are welcome who:
• have an interest in fashion and the construction of clothes
• are capable of basic arithmetic and measuring
• have basic sewing skills

3. Course Content
• Accurate measuring of the body
• Making the basic block to personal or standard trade measurements
• Using the block to make simple flat patterns
• Studying various fitting problems and how to adjust the pattern
• Moving darts by pivoting and/or slashing to change the style lines

4. Learning, Teaching Methods
• Lots of practical demonstrations, with finished samples
• Whole group discussions
• Individual hands-on practice with one to one assistance

5. Practical Skills Learnt

• Make simple flat patterns to your own and/or trade measurements
• Make and fit calico toiles (prototypes)
• Have some understanding of shape manipulation and fitting

6. Materials, Equipment Extras you will need to bring with you
(A notepad and pen is all that is required for the first few lessons. Steel metre rulers and set squares will be made available for your use in the class.)

§ Notepad and pen, HB pencil, sharpener and rubber.
§ Paper scissors and fabric scissors.
§ Tape measure, pins and general sewing kit.
§ Masking tape & Pritt-Stick
§ Calculator

Paper and card can be bought at cost price in the class.

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FURTHER STUDY

The experience gained from the beginners classes is good preparation fashion and textile degrees and access courses.

Intermediate - Course Details

2007-07-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

Intermediate - Course Details

1. Course Aims

• To enable you to analyze drawings, pictures and your own design ideas so that you can translate them into 2D flat patterns – using your own or standard blocks.

• Through class practice develop skills and confidence to enable you to tackle a wider range of designs.

2. Who Can Join?

Suitable for those who have completed a beginners course, have made their own blocks, understand basic dart manipulation and want to progress on to more complex patterns.
(If you have not completed a beginners course with me please see details for that course which may help you decide which class to join.)

3. Course Content

This course is more tailored to student requirements, is run flexibly and by and large covers the following:

• Analysing a selection of fashion photographs – including skirts, trousers, dresses, jackets and coats – and translate them into paper patterns.

It would be a good idea to start collecting a selection of fashion pictures that interest you to bring along to the class.

Each term will focus on specific techniques and build on student learning. Overall the three term course will include:

• Dart manipulation – including asymmetric darts

• Different size and style collars

• Variety of sleeves – including raglan and kimono

• Simple size grading

4. Learning, Teaching Methods

• Lots of practical demonstrations

• Whole group discussions

• Individual practice exercises using your own, standard, half and quarter scale blocks

5. Practical Skills Learnt

• Ability to translate a basic range of designs into a 2D pattern

• Identify design lines, assess proportion and select an appropriate block

• Make a wider range of flat patterns using your own or standard blocks

6. Materials, Equipment Extras you will need to bring with you

§ Notepad and pen, HB pencil, sharpener and rubber.
§ Paper scissors and fabric scissors.
§ Tape measure, pins and general sewing kit.
§ Masking tape & Pritt-Stick
§ Calculator

Steel metre rulers and set squares will be made available for your use in the class. Paper and card can be bought in class at cost price.

Please note – this is not a sewing class, sewing machines are not normally available although some sewing advice is given.

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FURTHER STUDY

The experience gained from the course is good preparation fashion and textile degrees and access courses. Students have found skills acquired in my classes have improved their understanding of the technical pattern cutting aspects of their qualification courses.

One Day Study Classes

2007-07-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

One day classes introducing special subjects have been held in response to student suggestions - see below.

Further classes can be arranged and advice given on special one or two day classes at main London and Adult Education Colleges.

One day classes at The Friends Meeting House have included

Making a personal life size or half scale dummy (see photo)

Modelling on the Stand - creating fabric patterns directly on a dummy Fashion Study Day - research, history and the development of practical ideas

Sourcing fabrics, buttons, beading etc - guided introduction in and around Berwick St Market.

Know Your Own Sewing Machine - confidence-giving practical introduction

Recycle Your Clothes - practical demonstrations and workshop

Menswear - focusing on patterns for men

Fashion Shows, Museum & Gallery Visits

2007-07-16T09:09:00.000-07:00

Behind the Scenes at the Victoria & Albert Museum

Part of a 'Friends' private study group visit examining an 18th Century dress and other chosen costumes under the guidance of a member of the museum staff. Other free visits are to be arranged.

Fashion Shows

Through academic and commercial contacts, complimentary tickets have been obtained for the annual London Graduate Fashion Shows which I've attended with students over the last three or so years.

This year seven of us enjoyed the Earls Court, Graduate Fashion exhibition including a catwalk show, and another six of us went to the Truman Brewery in Brick Lane to see the Middlesex University final year graduate catwalk show - fab, really strong show!

Links: sewing machines, materials, publications

2007-07-14T06:14:00.000-07:00

Sewing Machines:
Cooper Sewing Machines Ltd
http://www.sewingmachinediscount.co.uk/

Books & magazines:
R D Franks Ltd, 5 Winsley Street, London W1W 8HG (Tel: 020 7636 1244)
http://www.rdfranks.co.uk/FRAMES/index.htm

Trade Suppliers (including books):
MORPLAN 56 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 7DF (Tel :020-7636-1887)
http://www.morplan.com/webapp/commerce/command/ExecMacro/shopcss.d2w/report

Student Comments

2007-07-11T07:27:00.000-07:00

Prasanna (Barnet)

Linda got me hooked on pattern cutting. I see it not just as a hobby but as a skill for life.You don't have to be artistic to create unique clothes from basic blocks - anyone can do it. And you are less likely to discard hand made clothes.

Nothing is more pleasurable than someone asking you where you got your dress from and you smugly say "I made it"!

Katya (Finchley, North London)

Excellent creative working environment to develop new skills. Value for money with top class teacher. This is a course where you could attend for years developing new skills. I found the course more like a pattern cutting club than boring lectures.

Caroline (London)
Having attended a few short courses with other schools in the past, I came across Linda's pattern cutting classes by pure chance and have found her courses to be an invaluable resource. Linda is a very experienced and thorough tutor and works with the students in a relaxed manner, breaking down the art of pattern cutting into “bite size pieces.”

Linda's courses have enabled me to understand how to pattern cut confidently - but I'm also privileged enough to have Linda working on the patterns for my label : Mutiboko Women's Wear http://www.mutiboko.com/ Photo is from my web site due to be launched soon!

Bill (Luton)
I have thoroughly enjoyed your classes especially enabling students to work at their own pace and still keep every one occupied and interested. Although most of the classes were based on woman’s clothing (which my dancing partner has enjoyed modelling for) the process and skills as you said are very transferable to men’s clothing – it has been very rewarding.
I have learnt a lot about style, fit and fashion which for a non- fashion conscious man has been an eye opener!

Kemi (Barnet)

After unsatisfactory courses at other institutions I was at my wits end when my girlfriend told me of Linda. I enrolled in Linda’s pattern cutting class in 2006. She is a mentor above all others, her classes allow you to develop at a pace conducive to you as an individual.
I am extremely grateful to Linda for helping to realise my passion. Not only do I now create my own designs, I also make the patterns and sew them! (See picture of me in a print dress in the club on New Year’s Day 2009).