Patternmaking Essentials Course
Take control of fit and create garment patterns tailored to your body in this practical Patternmaking Essentials course in Sydney.
Designed for confident sewists ready to move beyond commercial patterns, this course introduces the core skills needed to draft, fit and refine skirt, bodice and pant blocks using your own measurements. You will draft patterns on paper, sew and assess toiles, make fit adjustments, and transfer refined patterns into durable cardboard blocks with seam allowances, hems and construction details.
With a small class size and individual guidance, you will build technical patternmaking skills while developing confidence, precision and independence in garment making.
Course Outline
- Skirt block: take measurements, draft a skirt block, construct and fit a calico toile, then transfer the final pattern to cardboard.
- Bodice block: draft a bodice from personal measurements, create and fit a toile, refine the pattern and add construction details.
- Pant block: draft, construct and fit a pant toile, make adjustments and create a finished cardboard block with all required markings.
- Refinement: finalise blocks, complete unfinished work and explore additional patternmaking elements such as pockets, waistbands or sleeves.
Schedule & Pricing
- 30 May 2026 to 13 June 2026, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, $719.
- 16 June 2026 to 7 July 2026, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, $729.
- 21 July 2026 to 11 August 2026, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, $729.
- 27 July 2026 to 14 September 2026, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, $729.
- 15 August 2026 to 5 September 2026, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, $729.
Additional Information
- Most courses run as four full-day sessions. Evening courses usually cover approximately half a lesson per session.
- For full-day classes, a 30-minute lunch break is scheduled. You may bring lunch or visit nearby cafés on Darling Street.
- This class is held in an upper-level room accessible by stairs only; the lift is currently out of service.
Details
You will learn
- Take accurate body measurements and draft skirt, bodice and pant patterns.
- Create and fit toiles to test garment shape, balance and proportion.
- Adjust patterns and develop reusable personalised cardboard blocks.
You will get
- Individual guidance in a small class setting.
- Personalised skirt, bodice and pant blocks for future projects.
- Foundational patternmaking skills for garment design and construction.
Appropriate for
Confident home sewists and creative makers who want to create garments that fit their unique body shape. Participants should be comfortable using a sewing machine and have basic garment construction experience.
Preparation
What to bring
- Calico fabric: 5 metres at 150cm wide or 7 metres at 115cm wide.
- Patternmaking and sewing tools including ruler, tracing wheel, pins, scissors, measuring tape, pencils and markers.
- Sewing machine supplies, notebook, pens, water and snacks.
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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