Thread Den

Learn to Sew Melbourne

Workshops

Shift Dress Design Update

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French dart shift dress

We’ve updated our Shift Dress design.

Our popular dress now features French darts which add soft shaping from under the bust down to the waist. The neckline is wider and the pattern is longer. While a shift dress doesn’t have a defined waist, some soft shaping has been added to the waist. The bust to hip ratio has also been changed based on the measurements of the many many students that have taken this workshop over the years. Have a look at several images on our instagram highlights – click here.

This pattern features just 4 pieces and simple detailing, this makes it a great project for those that are early on in their sewing adventures.

While making this Shift, students will learn how to choose their size, pattern placement, tracing and cutting technique. In the sewing room you’ll cover dart sewing technique, how to finish fabric edges with an overlocker, learn how to insert an invisible zip and then discover the surprising method used to sew an all in one facing. 

Workshop Description – read more here.

Terminology – is grading, alterations?

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Pattern grading should not be confused with pattern alterations. Alterations are the process of making a pattern fit the nuances of an individual body. Whereas, grading is the process of creating a range of new sizes, or a size run.

Grading may simply be defined as the increasing or decreasing of a pattern according to a set of corresponding body measurements.  The secret to professional grading is to understand where the body requires these changes.[1]

Patterns can be graded using: the cut and spread method, pattern shifting or with computer grading.

We teach the basics of Grading in a 3 hour workshop at Thread Den – click here to read more.

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Easter Sewing Event

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This Easter join us at Thread Den to add to your #MeMade wardrobe. Choose our popular skirt workshop: a classic circle skirt to be held over Friday and Saturday afternoon, or a one off workshop featuring the Indie pattern designer – Pauline Alice – making the Reina Blouse on Sunday and Monday.

If you live far away from Melbourne, this is a lovely chance to come to town, stay a night and sew up a storm with us. 

To make these special Easter workshops more fun, we have a goodie bags with surprises from our friends inside. Those that have put in goodies include; Maison Burlesque, Homelealass, Cinema Nova, Spruce Craft Co, Ethical Clothing Company, Megan Nielsen Patterns, Closet Case Patterns, Jimmy Buttons.

Bra Made In Class

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This beautiful white underwire bra was made by a student in our Bra Making Course. 

In our course students learn to make a bra that has multiple cup pattern pieces (this means more support), wires, hooks and eyes, adjustable straps and full (wider) band. We provide details of wonderful suppliers for gorgeous bra fabrics and laces during booking and advise of the pattern that students need to purchase.

To accommodate different skill levels, you can take this course over 16 or 8 hours!

  • 16 hour course students make a toile bra first and learn how to undertake pattern adjustments before cutting into their fabulous fabric. The course starts two weeks before the 8 hour option –
  • 8 hour course students join after the first two workshops, they choose their size based on measurements and learn to make a beautiful bra.  

Where to now?

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If you have completed the Sewing Basics Course – congratulations! Well done on jumping in and getting to know the machines and the basics of sewing.

Don’t let everything you’ve learnt go to the dark recesses of your mind.  If you don’t keep using your new skills they’ll wind up back there with the knowledge of how long to boil an egg with soft, medium or hard yolk (every time I have to look it up… EVERY time).

So let’s look at projects, resources and information to keep you going!

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