Course Overview
Be guided through the construction of a tailored lined jacket using a commercial pattern, incorporating the renowned Palmer/Pletsch fitting concepts alongside modern tailoring techniques. This comprehensive workshop is designed for all skill levels, whether you're a beginner eager to learn or an experienced sewer looking to refine your craft.
Throughout the process, you will gain invaluable insights into the art of tailoring, which will significantly enhance all of your sewing projects. We will start by teaching you how to alter your pattern to achieve the perfect fit, ensuring that your jacket complements your unique body shape. You will also master cutting and marking accuracy, which is crucial for achieving clean lines and precise seams.
Additionally, we will delve into the importance of interfacings and proper fusing techniques to provide your jacket with the structure it needs. You will learn how to shape the shoulders and chest for a flattering silhouette, as well as how to create beautifully shaped darts that add dimension to your design.
Careful trimming and quality pressing are key components of professional-looking garments, and we will guide you through these essential steps. You will also gain skills in constructing sleeve heads, creating functional buttonholes, and adding stylish pockets, all while focusing on the details that elevate your work.
Finally, you will learn how to expertly handle the lining and achieve perfect hems, ensuring your jacket not only looks great on the outside but also feels polished on the inside. Join us in this exciting journey of tailoring, where you will leave with a stunning jacket and a wealth of new skills!
Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney. We have campuses in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt, Richmond, and Ryde. Enrol now!
What you will learn
Course outline
It is intended that the course will cover:
- Introduction to tailoring
- Fabric layout, alterations to fit and cutting
- Pressing techniques
- Fusing ~ application of interfacing
- Marking
- Pockets
- Collars
- Sleeves and Shoulder Pads
- Facing and lining ~ make up
- Facing and lining ~ insert
- Finishing
Course outcome
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- During the course students will learn modern tailoring techniques which will enable them to construct and fit their own jacket. Students will work at their own pace. Those students unable to complete their project on the day will receive instructions on how to complete their garment at home.
What you need to know
Entry requirements
Basic sewing skills are an advantage.
What you need to provide
You will need to bring:
- Pattern: Butterick B6960 is the current preferred pattern for the course. However, Butterick B8350, Butterick B6862, McCall’s M6172, McCall’s M8638 or McCall’s M7818 are also suitable.
- Fabric: The best fabrics for tailoring are wool fabrics such as Tweed, Flannel or wool blends. Linen is also suitable but is not quite so easy to work with
- Lining: Lining fabric such as Sunsilky or Bemberg
- Interfacing: Fusible woven knit interfacing only such as Whisperweft or Armoweft
- Sewing machine and manual
- Basic sewing kit (scissors, pins, needles, quick unpick, marking chalk etc)
- Pressing cloth
- A box of fine large head pins in a magnetic pincushion
- Tape measure
- Soft lead pencil
- Red and green fine felt tip pens
- Two rolls of 12mm Scotch brand magic transparent tape
- Weighted table tape dispenser
- Paper scissors
- Gridded plastic ruler (eg quilters), plastic ruler or dressmakers square
- 6mm elastic to tie around your waist
- Note pad and pen
- Palmer/Pletsch gridded pattern tissue (from Lincraft, Spotlight or online) or white gift wrap tissue. Greaseproof paper is too stiff.
- 1 x reel matching thread 1 x reel contrasting thread
- 1 pair shoulder pads according to size recommended on pattern
- 1 metre x 6mm pre-shrunk cotton tape
- Button quantity as per pattern
Other information
- Prior to attending the first lesson students should:
- Preshrink all washable fabric and linings by washing with detergent at the same water temperature you plan to use when laundering.
- Fabrics marked & dry clean only can be steam pressed using a steam iron. Iron the fabric from side to side (not diagonally) and steam evenly. Allow the steamed fabric to dry thoroughly before moving.
- Course notes