Patternmaking Essentials Course
Move beyond commercial sewing patterns and learn to draft garments that truly fit your body. In this Patternmaking Essentials course, you’ll develop the skills to take accurate measurements and create personalised skirt, bodice and pant blocks tailored to your shape.
Working step-by-step, you’ll draft patterns on paper using industry-standard methods, sew calico toiles (prototype garments), and assess fit directly on your body. Through fitting and refinement, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how patterns translate into finished garments and how small adjustments affect shape and comfort.
By the end of the course, you’ll transfer your refined patterns onto durable cardboard blocks, complete with seam allowances and construction details—creating a reusable foundation for future garment designs. Small class sizes ensure individual guidance and support throughout.
Course Content
- Skirt block: Take measurements, draft a skirt block, sew and fit a toile, and finalise a cardboard block.
- Bodice block: Draft, toile, fit and refine a personalised bodice block.
- Pant block: Draft and fit pant patterns, making adjustments for improved fit.
- Refinement: Finalise blocks and explore additional patternmaking elements or begin a personal project.
Schedule & Pricing
- Most courses run as four full-day sessions (9:30am–4:00pm).
- Some intakes are delivered over eight evening sessions (covering approximately half a lesson per session).
- Course fee from $719. Please check current dates for availability.
Additional Information
- A 30-minute lunch break is scheduled for full-day classes.
- Classroom is located in an upper-level room accessible by stairs only.
- Please wear closed-in shoes.
Details
You will learn
- Take accurate body measurements for drafting
- Draft and refine skirt, bodice and pant blocks
- Fit and adjust toiles to improve garment fit
You will get
- Personalised skirt, bodice and pant cardboard blocks
- Individual guidance in a small class setting
- Foundation skills for independent patternmaking
Appropriate for
Confident home sewers and sewing enthusiasts who are comfortable using a sewing machine and want to draft patterns tailored to their body.
Preparation
What to bring
- 5m calico (150cm wide) or 7m (115cm wide)
- Sewing kit including needles, thread, scissors and pins
- Measuring tools, ruler, tracing wheel and notebook
What to wear
Closed-in shoes required
Your Teacher
Sydney Community College
38 reviewsSydney Community College is a registered charity with a voluntary Board of Directors.
The College has a mission to offer innovative continuing adult education and training programmes that support individual efforts and facilitate sustainable social change.
We do this by:
- Providing quality continuing adult education opportunities for people to build practical and theoretical skills and develop knowledge;
- Leveraging from and developing community capacity and inclusivity;
- Developing innovative affordable and accessible skills training programmes;
- Partnering with like organisations to deliver learning opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and communities;
- Partnering with all levels of government to deliver education policy objectives.
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
- A refund can be requested 10 days before class starts. An admin fee of AU$45.00 applies.
Terms & Conditions
At Sydney Community College, we know that plans can change unexpectedly. Whether it’s a shift in your schedule, a family emergency, or just a change of heart, we want to support you in the fairest way possible.
At the same time, we’re a not-for-profit organisation that commits resources to running each class—so last-minute cancellations can significantly impact our ability to offer quality, affordable programs.
That’s why we’ve created a simple, transparent policy that balances your need for flexibility with our need to plan and deliver courses sustainably. Our cancellation policy offers two clear options, depending on when you notify us:
Cancel More Than 10 Days Before the Course Starts – You can choose to receive a full refund, minus a $45 administration fee OR a non-refundable credit note valid for 12 months for the full value you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Option 2: Cancel Within 10 Days of the Course Starting - You’ll receive a credit note valid for 12 months for 50% of the course fee you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Please note that both refund and credit options are only available before the course begins. Once the course has started—or if you decide to withdraw after it has commenced—no refunds or credits can be issued. If you need to cancel your enrolment, just email us and we’ll take care of it based on the timelines above.
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Patternmaking Essentials Course
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