Friends Pattern Cutting Classes (& Contact) - 2016

All information also on my new website!

http://www.lindapowellpatterncutting.com/

SEPTEMBER 2017 - JUNE 2018

Classes at Friends Meeting House, 61 Church Hill, Winchmore Hill, London N21 1LE Close to Winchmore Hill Station

London Rail trains from Finsbury Park 15 min. Local Buses 125, 329 and W9 (See 'Travel - Location' link)

Dates and Times

Saturday daytime classes in term times

Dates and Times: Saturday daytime classes in term times
Beginners/Intermediate classes: 10.00 am - 13.30 pm;
Autumn Term 2017 - 9 weekly classes - starts 23 September, last class 25 November 2017; no class on 18 November 2017.
Spring Term 2018 - 10 weekly classes: starts 6 January, last class 10 March2018; no half term.
Summer Term 2018 - 10 weekly classes - starts 6 April, last class 16 June 2018; no class, half term 26 May 2018

 

 

FEES

9 week block of classes Autumn 2017 - £153-00
10 week block of classes - £170-00 Place confirmed with £20 deposit, balance before end of first class. Booking deposit refunded if class doesn't form.

Individual Saturday classes bookable if space available by prior arrangement: £25-00 per class.

Contact:

lindasjw@icloud.com

Teacher Profile - Linda Powell

I am a professional pattern cutter, designer and maker of clothes with a wide range of commercial experience.  After studying fashion and design, I ran my own studio creating and making designs for fashion outlets in London’s Kings Road, Europe and the USA, and produced catwalk collections for London Fashion Week, including a project commissioned by Vogue.
Alongside a stable of high profile professional clients, I undertake specialist commissions. I also mentor new fashion designers, providing them with a professional pattern cutting service and pre-production advice.
I have been teaching pattern cutting at Morley College Central London since 1996, and more recently I have been teaching clothes making.  In the recent past I also taught HND pattern cutting at a fashion college in Soho.
In 2007 I obtained a post-graduate qualification in Innovative Pattern Cutting at Central Saint Martins with associated experience at Vivienne Westwood and Jonathan Saunders studios.

Travel - Location

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. The 'Friends' is 50 metres on the right. (see location map link below).

Train: Winchmore Hill Station (Zone 4) is on the London Rail, Great Northern service – about 15  minutes from Finsbury Park Station (Underground/London Rail). Winchmore Hill station is in Zone 4 - Travel and Oyster Cards are valid.
Great Northern trains no longer originate at Kings Cross, but start at Moorgate - stopping points include Highbury & Islington (very easy cross-platform change with Victoria Line) and Finsbury Park (Piccadilly and Victoria tube lines).  

If arriving at Finsbury Park tube station on Piccadilly & Victoria lines look for overhead illuminated 'National Rail' sign, go up spiral staircase and head for overground platform 7/8 - check platform 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 9.47 am for 10.00 am class). This train starts at Moorgate at 9.19 am, arrives Highbury & Islington at 9.26 am and then on to Finsbury park (9.32 am).

Please check National Rail website in case of engineering work (usually Sundays not Saturdays).
http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search

Alternative route is to take Piccadilly Line to Wood Green tube station, go to bus stop diagonally across the road and take the 329 bus heading to Enfield Town and get off at Winchmore Hill (Station Road - see below). Allow 20-25 minutes more time.

Buses: Routes 329 and 125 stop at Winchmore Hill, Green Lanes close to Station Road. 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 2016

Project-based Pattern Cutting and Garment Construction - Course Information

Beginners and Intermediate Students

The classes offer you an opportunity to learn pattern cutting and garment construction in a mixed ability project-based workshop group.

Based on you initial and developing abilities, you will be encouraged to learn how to take a design idea, draft the pattern and sew the finished garment. All projects will be based on one-to-one discussions with the tutor.

The following gives an indication of how projects could progress.

Beginners to pattern cutting will start with simple project, based on your own body measurements - for example, starting with a simple wrap-around gender-neutral skirt. This would include:

  - converting your body measurement to the flat pattern paper
  - use of set square and metre ruler to draft a pattern
  - adding seam allowances, grain lines and cutting instructions
  - using the pattern to cut the fabric
  - assembling the fabric pieces and sewing a finished garment


As you progress you can develop your own project ideas (e.g. a pencil skirt) either by making a block to your own size or using an industry standard size 12 block. Building on the above skills you would:

  - learn how to change the silhouette of the skirt
  - manipulate darts
  - add details - yokes, pockets, flare, pleats etc.


A next stage project could, for example, be a simple shape jacket/top with sleeves. Building on pattern drafting techniques learnt in the first skirt project, this would in addition include:

  - designing and drafting necklines and simple collars
 - adding front fastenings, buttons or zips with facings
 - drafting a sleeve band or cuff


Further bodice and sleeve projects would involve making a block to your own size or using an industry standard size 12 block enabling design variations to be constructed around the essential body shape.

 

A simple shape trouser project would follow a similar path.
Students who have acquired the above skills or coming to the class with previous pattern cutting experience will be able to discuss and work on more personal projects.

All Students
Projects worked on in the class room can be sewn at home or you can bring your own sewing machine to the class
Students are encouraged to work on their projects at home during the week.
All personal work and equipment must be taken home at the end of each class as there is no storage space and no responsibility can be taken for any items that are left behind.

One Day Study Classes

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

 

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 recent years.

Links: sewing machines, materials, publications

Sewing Machines
Cooper Sewing Machines Ltdhttp://www.sewingmachinediscount.co.uk/

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
EASTMAN STAPLES (suppliers to garment manufacturing industry) Head Office, Lockwood Road, Huddersfield HD1 3QW, England (Tel: 01484 88 88 88) http://www.eastman.co.uk/

Fabric Suppliers - list given in class.

Student Comments

Janis - Hubert & Calvin   http://www.hubertandcalvin.com/ 
 

I love Linda’s class! It offers a very practical insight into pattern cutting that other more academic courses lack. The course gets down straight into the nitty gritty , from the basics to more specialised matters. After the course I now have the confidence to work independently while the class still offers the support needed for future projects. Linda is great at tailoring the course to specific needs and I am very grateful for finding such a nurturing environment to learn in. Highly recommend!

 

Kathryn (Wood Green)
Having booked onto other pattern cutting courses at Colleges and then chickening out at the last minute I've finally found 'THE' place for me. Linda is thorough and detailed in her teaching and has a wealth of experience to draw upon, she's always genuinely interested in her students other personal pattern cutting projects and willing to help with any questions. The classes are informal and friendly and I come away from every one having learnt a great deal. So from being a complete beginner I am now able to understand the basics and intend to continue the journey.

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"!

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/

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).




Francesca Camilleri (Hornchurch,Essex)

This is my first term on the beginners course. The course has been great and I have learnt so much already and met lots of lovely people;I am definitely going to continue studying with Linda! The course is fun , friendly and is a great way to learn thoroughly and at your own pace. I would definitely recommend.