Pattern Drafting: A Jacket/ Coat at The Sewing Cafe

I launched a brand new course at The Sewing Cafe today, pattern drafting for a jacket or coat.

This course takes the existing custom bodice that has already been adjusted in the previous course and adjusts/ grades to an overgarment pattern. The outerwear block can be drafted from scratch but sometimes it can be easier to start with a pattern that already fits and make changes. This session focused on altering the bodice block and sleeve.

Looking forward to seeing everyone toiles next week.

The end of my Croydon adventure

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#today marked the end of my #croydon #adventure . Huge thanks to the team and my fabulous level 6 #fashionstudents for my cards and gifts . It’s been great working with you all . Until next time . @kellyjacksonartist @petrescu___ @brancov.fashiontexiles @toosy_123 @suezanah_fashions @laronia_delores_george @aalia_designs @studio_ankobra @ms_k_t . #fashion #teaching #fashionstudent #course #ontothenextadventure

A post shared by Sian Riley (@sianrileystudio) on Oct 17, 2018 at 9:34am PDT

MAC Sewing School: A Coat-Day 1

Today marked the first day of my MAC Sewing School-A coat workshop. MAC and I recommended the Burda pattern 6727 as featured on my instagram page a few days ago for this course, but students can bring a different coat pattern if they prefer another style.

The sewing school classes are a brand new series of courses at MAC Birmingham focusing on boosting sewing and commercial pattern knowledge through a number of set classes. This is the first one, focusing on a coat. There will be other courses in the new year looking at commercial patterns for a skirt and trouser.

This workshop is split into 2 sessions over 2 consecutive weekends. Day 1 saw us focus on finding the right pattern, making any adjustments and cutting the fabric. Some of the fabrics selected for the coats were amazing! take a look below what we got up to.

See you all for day 2 next week!

To fins out more about the new courses on offer at MAC Birmingham and at The Sewing Cafe, head over to my courses page for full listings.

MAC Sewing School: A Coat-The Preparation

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Preparing a #sample for next weeks #mac #sewing #school : a #coat #course at @mac_birmingham . Pieces all #cut out, now to #sew them together . There are still places left on this workshop, click on the link in the bio to book your spot. @sonyarussellsaunders @jackielynnkneeburt . #patterncutting #making #burdastyle #makeityourself #madeatmac #custommade #clothes #memadewardrobe

A post shared by Sian Riley (@sianrileystudio) on Oct 5, 2018 at 10:09am PDT

Classes begin at The Sewing Cafe

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Let the new #season of #patterncutting and #sewing #classes commence! With @thesewingcafeuk . #sew #making #patterns #alterations #customfit #makeityourself #hinckley

A post shared by Sian Riley (@sianrileystudio) on Sep 29, 2018 at 1:54am PDT

Ctrl/ Shift: New Directions in Textile Art at MAC Birmingham

As you know, I teach some of my Sewing and Pattern Cutting classes at MAC Birmingham, and recently they had an exhibition of innovative and creative textile art.

The exhibition featured numerous textile pieces that explored interesting techniques and highlighted the creative process that goes into developing textile art. This collection of works was collected by the 62 group, a network of textile artists that was created to provide development opportunities for its members.

The works submitted for this exhibition were lovely to look at. Although i work with fabrics a lot, i haven't explored creative textiles much in my career so I really enjoyed looking at these pieces.

Take a look at some of the pieces below:

Sumi Perera	Caroline Bartlett
Catherine Dormor
Flox den Hartog Jager	Eszter Bornemisza
Nigel Cheney
Jane McKeating	Hannah Lamb

BCU Adventures

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#bcu #adventures . Loving these #garments by Charlotte Moore . #bafashiondesign at #birminghamcityuniversity . #fashion #design #fashiondesigner #fashiondesignstudent #birmingham #womenswear #creative #sewing #patterncutting #making #collections

A post shared by Sian Riley (@sianrileystudio) on Sep 20, 2018 at 4:53am PDT