Sewing: Patternmaking Essentials Course

Learn patternmaking with our sewing short courses in Sydney!

This beginner-friendly patternmaking course is designed for confident sewers who want to draft their own blocks using personal body measurements. You’ll learn to create skirt, bodice and pant patterns—starting with industry-standard templates and adjusting them for fit—before turning them into custom cardboard blocks.

Through guided projects and hands-on practice, you’ll develop a solid foundation in fitting, pattern drafting, and construction details. You’ll sew toiles (prototypes), make personalised adjustments, and finish the course with custom cardboard blocks that you can use again and again.

It’s essential that you’re confident using a sewing machine and able to construct basic toiles or prototypes. 

With a maximum of 10 students per class, you’ll benefit from plenty of one-on-one support and expert guidance from your tutor as you develop the skills and confidence to take creative control of your garment making.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Patternmaking Essentials course, you should be able to:

• Take accurate body measurements for drafting patterns
• Create garment patterns tailored to your own body shape and size
• Fit toiles and make adjustments to improve garment fit
• Finalise a personalised set of skirt, bodice and pant blocks in cardboard

After finishing this course, you might like to enrol in Sewing: Patternmaking Extension Course, where you will learn how to use these blocks to make designs with details such as various cuffs, collars, yokes and pockets. 

Course content

What will be covered in this Patternmaking Essentials course?

While course content may vary depending on student needs, the following topics will generally be covered:

Lesson 1: Skirt block and toile fitting

You’ll begin the course by taking your own body measurements, which you’ll use as the foundation for all patternmaking throughout the program. Using these measurements, you’ll draft a skirt block by first creating a preliminary pattern on paper. You’ll then cut this pattern in calico and construct a toile (a prototype garment) to test the fit. Your toile will be fitted directly on your body, and any necessary adjustments will be made to improve shape and accuracy. Once the fit is correct and you’re happy with the overall silhouette, you’ll finalise your design by transferring it to a cardboard block—complete with seam allowances, hems and full pattern instructions.

Lesson 2: Bodice block and toile fitting

In this session, you’ll apply your personal body measurements to draft a bodice block. Starting with a paper pattern, you’ll create a design tailored to your own shape, then cut it in calico and sew a toile to test the fit. This toile will be fitted on your body, and your tutor will guide you through any necessary alterations to refine the pattern. Once the fit is accurate and the shape is to your satisfaction, you’ll transfer the finalised version to cardboard, complete with seam allowances, hems and construction notes.

Lesson 3: Pant block and toile fitting

In this lesson, you’ll use your body measurements to draft a pant block. As with previous blocks, you’ll begin by developing a paper pattern tailored to your individual fit. This pattern will then be cut in calico and sewn into a toile for fitting. With your tutor’s support, you’ll make any necessary adjustments to ensure a well-fitting shape. Once you're satisfied with the result, you’ll transfer the final pattern onto cardboard, adding seam allowances, hems and all essential pattern markings.

Lesson 4: Refinement and further patternmaking techniques

This session is designed for you to refine and finalise your skirt, bodice and pant blocks. You’ll complete any unfinished work from previous weeks and ensure all blocks fit correctly and meet your satisfaction. Once your blocks are finalised, you’ll have the opportunity to explore additional patternmaking elements—such as pockets, waistbands or sleeves—or begin working on a personal design project with guidance from your tutor.

Please note: Most of our Patternmaking Essentials courses run as four full-day sessions. If you are enrolled in the eight-session evening course, you will cover approximately half a lesson per session.

Intended audience

Who is this Patternmaking: Essentials course for?

This course is designed for confident home sewers and sewing enthusiasts who want to create garments that fit their unique body shape. It’s ideal for anyone looking to better understand how patterns are made and how to adjust or move beyond commercial sewing patterns.

You should be comfortable using a sewing machine and have basic garment construction experience. We recommend completing our Sewing Essentials and Sewing Extension courses, or equivalent.

Course venue

Rozelle Campus

2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)

Course materials

What to bring to class

• 5 metres of calico (150cm width) or 7 metres (115cm width)

• Ruler (over 50cm)

• Tracing wheel (spiked)

• Pins and hand sewing needles

• Thread

• Small thread-cutting scissors or clippers

• Paper scissors and fabric scissors

• Measuring tape

• Notebook and pens

• Sharp pencils and eraser

• One red and one black or blue thick marker

• 1 large glue stick (e.g. UHU)

• Stapler

• Water and snacks

  Sewing machine supplies:

• Domestic sewing machine needles: 130/705 H, size 80 or 90

• Plastic bobbins: for top-loading or “drop-in” machines (suitable for Singer or Janome drop-in models)

• Thread: Quality brands such as Gutermann, Rasant, Mettler or Aurifil

Additional information

Please note the following:

• For full-day classes, a 30-minute lunch break will be scheduled. You’re welcome to bring lunch, or explore nearby cafes and takeaway spots on Darling Street.
• Please wear closed-in shoes in the classroom.