MAKE A DRESS OR A TOP

MAKE A DRESS OR A TOP
SAT 5 JULY 2025 / 10 - 4
One day course
with Helen Shine from Dot & Cross

PRICE: £110
LOCATION: Art Centre Penryn
DATE: Saturday 5th July 2025
TIME: 10am – 4pm with 1 hour for lunch
MAXIMUM PARTICPANTS: 6
LEVEL: Beginner Plus

CHOOSE FROM BEGINNER-FRIENDLY PATTERNS AND MAKE YOUR OWN DRESS OR TOP

PATTERN SIZES:
All in 8-18 OR 20-28
When you book, pease select the ticket with your chosen dress or top type and size, so we can purchase the pattern for you. 
If you need help with this, send an email to hello@dotncross.com with your bust, waist and hip measurements in cms.

TELL ME MORE

In this class you will learn how to make a beginner friendly dress or top. We have three dress patterns to choose from (see below). Two of the dress patterns (Camber and Trapeze) can also be made as tops. They are all from Merchant and Mills and all in size ranges 8-18 or 20-28.

When you book, pease select the ticket with your chosen dress or top and size, so we can purchase the pattern for you.
If you need help with this, send an email to hello@dotncross.com with your bust, waist and hip measurements in cms.

WHO IS THIS CLASS SUITABLE FOR?

This class is suitable for confident beginners. Ideally you will have done one of our introductory courses such as 'Start Sewing and Make a Beach Bag', but this is not essential. You should know how to thread up a machine and sew basic seams. We will be going through how to use a sewing pattern, and the basics of dress making, such as how to sew following a seam allowance and how to finish off seams. It is also suitable for those who have tackled a few sewing projects at home, but want to improve their dressmaking skills and start to understand dress making patterns.

THE PATTERNS TO CHOOSE FROM:

The Camber Dress or Top - click to see the size charts for the pattern

The Trapeze Dress or Top - click see the size charts for the pattern

The Dress Shirt - click to see the size charts for the pattern

TECHNIQUES YOU WILL LEARN

• Learn how to use a pattern
• Check which size to make
• How to prepare and lay the fabric
• How to cut correctly
• Sewing techniques
• Learn to finish seam allowance with zig zag
• Learn to follow instruction booklet in pattern.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?

• The pattern (worth £18.50), which you can take home and use again
• Use of all our equipment including sewing machine
  

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?

Fabric to make your dress:
Fabrics and notions are not included in the price, please click on the pattern and take a look at the information and size chart on the Merchant & Mills website for what you need, depending on the pattern you choose. If you need any help with this, please email Helen: hello@dotncross.com stating which pattern you wish to make and which option on the pattern (sleeves length etc)

It’s a good idea to have pre-washed your fabric so that you know the shrinking is done before you sew a garment. Wash the fabric on the temperature you normally wash your clothes, or a bit higher.

Fabric suggestions:
Linen, linen blends, tencel, tencel/linen, denim, cotton chambray, indian handweaves, fine wool.
Please have a look on the Merchant and Mills website for their suggestions and to also view more photos of garments made up in different fabrics.

Fabric quantities:
Please click on the dress and take a look at the size chart on the Merchant & Mills website for what you need, depending on the pattern you choose.
If you need any help with this, please email Helen: hello@dotncross.com stating which pattern you wish to make and which option on the pattern (sleeves length etc)

Equipment:

• Your own sewing machine if you would like to bring it, however we do provide sewing machines. If you are bringing your machine, ensure you bring the foot pedal and the various presser feet that came with the machine and the manual if you have it.
• A basic sewing kit if you have it, including pins, scissors, tape measure etc. This is not essential as we have equipment you can borrow.

pattern and garment images courtesy of Merchant & Mills

ABOUT YOUR TEACHER

Helen Shine is a skilled pattern cutter with over 12 years of experience in London’s high-end fashion industry, working with renowned designers like Victoria Beckham, Mary Katrantzou, and Karen Millen.

In 2019, she launched ‘Dot n Cross’, offering hands-on pattern cutting and sewing workshops. Helen is passionate about empowering others to create their own clothes, whether they are aspiring professionals or enthusiastic home sewers, by sharing her industry knowledge and love of the craft.

REFUND/EXCHANGE POLICY

Art Centre Penryn is a small, non-profit organisation and our courses form a really important part of our income, we are therefore not able to offer refunds within 30 days of the course date. We offer the following refund/exchange options:

If it is more than 30 days from the course start date, we can offer a full refund, less the booking fee. Within 30 days days from the course start date, we cannot offer a refund, but we could transfer you to another course, or offer a voucher for you to use to book another course. Alternatively, you could send someone else in your place, please just email us to let us know.

We're sorry, but we are unable to offer a last minute exchange within 24 hrs, or after the course, unless in exceptional circumstances.

Thanks for your understanding.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT COURSES AT ART CENTRE PENRYN HERE