Grow Your Sew

Grow Your Sew

Grow Your Sew are courses for those who have basic sewing skills, and are wanting to increase their confidence & extend their sewing repertoire and garment construction techniques. Select from a range of classes that will further develop your skills, or talk to me to design a course that meets your specific needs

To see & book our current scheduled classes please see the calendar on our Sewing Lessons page or visit our Facebook page and click on events.

To have any questions answered please email lovetosew@kuruicottage.com

Learn to Sew Knit Fabrics - Lets make Undies!

Next Classes Begin:

November 26th, 2024; 9.00am - 12.00pm

Book your place here

One x 3 hour lesson

$65 per person

Pre-requisite: Confident using the sewing machine, with basic sewing experience

Undies, knickers, panties, budgie smugglers .... whatever you call them - you can make your own!

In this workshop you will learn the basics of sewing with knit fabrics & a variety of elastic trim finishes while stitching up a pair of underwear - either for yourself, your partner, or kids. You wont believe just how comfy they can be!

You can either bring your own fabrics, or I have kits available with everything you need - requirements will be sent out with booking confirmations.

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Pattern Drafting - Part 1 Skirt

Next Class Begins:

Term 1 2025

Tickets not yet on sale

Three x two hour lessons

$150, includes all materials

Pre-requisite: Confident using the sewing machine, with basic sewing experience

This workshop is suitable for those who are confident using the sewing machine, and want to be able to convert their sewing ideas into garments!

Start with just your measurements, and then learn the basics of pattern drafting while drawing up a simple skirt block. We will adapt it into a pattern and then sew up a toile to personalise the fit before exploring ways of changing the pattern to different styles.

You will learn & practice the following skills & techniques:

How to take measurements
How to convert your measurements into a personalised pattern block
How to convert your block into a pattern
How to construct and fit a skirt toile
How to adapt your basic pattern into a variety of skirt styles

At the end of the class, your basic skirt block and pattern will be yours to take home and use - you might never have to buy another pattern!

Pattern Drafting - Part 2 Bodice

Next Class Begins:

Term 1 2025

Tickets not yet on sale

Three x two hour lessons

$150, includes all materials

Pre-requisite: Confident using the sewing machine, with basic sewing experience. This is a stand-alone class- you DO NOT have to complete the Part I class first.

Start with just your measurements, and then learn how to draw up a bodice block. We will adapt it into a pattern and then sew up a toile (practise garment) to personalise the fit before exploring ways of changing the pattern to different styles.

Your bodice block can be combined with a skirt block for designing your own dresses or used alone to design tops.

You will learn & practice the following skills & techniques:

How to take measurements
How to convert your measurements into a personalised pattern block
How to convert your block into a pattern
How to construct and fit a bodice toile
How to analyse and correct basic fitting issues
How to adapt your basic pattern into a variety of bodice styles

At the end of the class, your personalised bodice block and pattern will be yours to take home and use - you might never have to buy another pattern!

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Coming soon in 2024 ...

Introduction to Pattern Drafting - Part III Sleeve

Dressmaking Basics

Join us in the studio to learn all the basics while sewing up a dress to fit YOU - you'll be amazed at the difference it makes compared to ready to wear.

Using a basic dress pattern, we work together so you have the confidence to create the dress of your dreams. We work on basic fitting alterations to make your dress fit you beautifully, and then explore different ways you can adapt a pattern to change it's look to make it uniquely you (think statement puffy sleeves, gathers, ruffles, tiers, lace inserts or sheer fabrics), as well as including those elusive but ever useful pockets!

While sewing your dress you will learn & practice some of the following dressmaking techniques to add to your sewing repertoire:

Small/full bust adjustment
Staystitching
Darts
In-seam pockets
Top stitching
seam finishes, including French seams
Set in sleeves
Facings / bias facings
Understitching
Casings
Gathering
Button plackets, buttonholes and buttons
Hemming

You will need to bring to class your preferred dress pattern, fabric and any other notions required to complete your garment. If buying a PDF pattern, you will need to purchase, print and prepare it ready for use before the first class.

I recommend using the Hinterland PDF dress pattern from Sew Liberated! as it is a lovely basic dress pattern to add to your handmade wardrobe and it’s a great base to work from with making pattern adaptations (also known as ‘hacks’). It includes many of the sewing techniques you will learn in class, so is a wonderful learning dress. If you choose to use a different pattern, you can still learn & practice all the sewing techniques by completing samples in class if you choose.

Other suitable similar PDF dress patterns include the Pattern Emporium “Meet You There’ dress (a more relaxed fit dress which doesn’t include bust darts), or Megan Nielsen’s Protea Capsule Wardrobe pattern (includes tops and skirt options).

Lessons 1 and 2 will focus on pattern preparation and making a bodice ‘toile’ or ‘muslin’ to test your dress fit, and lessons 3 and 4 will focus on techniques required for your garment construction. You may need to do some sewing at home between classes to complete your work.

Four x two & a half hour lessons, or two day workshop

$200 per person

Pre-requisite: Completion of our Sewing FUNdamentals class, or prior basic sewing experience.