Pattern Cutting and Drafting for Womenswear
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£695
- Start Date(s): 18 August 2025, 27 September 2025, 24 January 2026, 18 April 2026
- Duration: Saturdays, 10 am to 4 pm, five weeks or Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
18 - 22 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
27 September - 25 October 2025, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
24 January - 21 February 2026, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
18 April - 16 May 2026, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
On this practical course you will be introduced to the skill of creating your own blocks and dress pattern from scratch whilst working to develop your fitting techniques and a series of toiles.
This course is ideal if you are already familiar with sewing and using commercial patterns and would like to start designing and making your own garments for womenswear.
Whether you are already working in the industry, hoping to pursue academic study or are a home dressmaker seeking to improve your skillset, this course will help you develop practical skills in womenswear garment design and construction.
With a limited class size of twelve people, you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue making after the course.
-
You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your designs at home or work. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices. -
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.
Here’s what our previous attendees said:
“The information I was sent before the course was excellent, and I felt on the first day I knew where I was going and I had all the equipment I needed. I was a complete beginner to pattern drafting, but our tutor Leann was excellent and I learnt so much about garment construction - and also things about myself. You could say it was life changing. All the staff were very helpful, especially the technician. I would recommend this course to everyone.” JB
“I honestly enjoyed every bit of this course, from beginning to end! The technical aspects were well explained and demonstrated. Leann was incredibly enthusiastic, knowledgeable and patient. I learnt more in the first session than I imagined I would from the whole course!” SdV
"Thoroughly enjoyable. I will be looking forward to the next level course in the future." JH
"Brilliant! Will definitely be interested in a follow-on." MW
"I wanted to do this course to learn how to make clothes that fit. I now have knowledge of how to make a full block and confidence to make my own clothes." BC
"This was a very enjoyable and informative course, I most enjoyed seeing the demonstrations and having a space to apply the skills I had learnt with support from the tutor." LW
"From doing this course I have a new skill set and have learnt new techniques. I really enjoyed networking with like-minded hobbyists."
"I’ve taken away so many top tips from the tutor, I now have a block which I know fits me and can adapt it in the future."
"The tutor’s teaching style was excellent - really committed to helping the class learn and leave with a block which fits."
What you’ll study
Over five dynamic days, you’ll be immersed in the world of pattern cutting for womenswear.
This course is not just about learning – it's about unlocking your potential to design and craft personalised, one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect your unique style and body measurements.
Throughout the course you will either work using your own body measurements or a set of bespoke biometrics, so that you can produce a close-fit bodice draft and master the art of lay planning (to show how your pattern pieces should be positioned on the fabric); this foundational skill opens the door to designing a variety of tops, skirts, and dresses so you can continue your projects at work or home after the course.
During the course, you will:
- learn the correct way to take a range of body measurement, ensuring accuracy
- create a basic block for a bodice and sleeve
- draft a pattern from your block of both the body and sleeves, featuring personal measurements for a precise fit
- discover how to assemble and fit a toile
- develop your ability to conduct fittings and tackle common fitting issues
- alter and adapt your pattern based on your fitting
- gain insights into how fitting problems on the body correlate with pattern areas on a draft or commercial shop-bought pattern
- practice professional techniques such as ‘easing-in’ a fitted sleeve, wheeled fabric markings and calculations for lay planning
- gain insights into lay planning rules and cutting and marking techniques.
With a lively, engaging approach, our expert tutor will guide you through the intricacies of cutting and marking techniques, fittings, and drafting exercises.
You’ll then explore alternative bust dart placements and perfect sleeve drafting, before bringing your designs to life through finishing touches.
You’ll be introduced to all these techniques through group demonstrations, and benefit from one-to-one tutorials to aid your development.
Depending on how you progress, you might also:
- make your fitted and adjusted garment in a top fabric of your own choice
- create a second set of patterns based on your own design
- look at how to adapt a commercial pattern.
Imagine the satisfaction you’ll get by crafting garments that fit seamlessly and reflect your personality and flair. This is an opportunity to unleash your creativity, make new friends who share your passion, and revel in the joy of seeing your pattern come to life.
By the end of the course you will have created a bespoke close-fit bodice draft and leave with the knowledge of how to correctly take a range of body measurements, and be able to conduct a fitting, with an understanding of how to tackle the most common fitting issues.
You'll be able to create your own bespoke patterns and understand how to alter commercial patterns, developed a range of professional skills, and enhanced your portfolio to widen learning or employment opportunities in the future.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll study during the course:
- Day 1: Measurements and Drafting of a Close Fit Bodice
- Day 2: Lay planning, Cutting, Marking and Toile Assembly
- Day 3: Fittings and Draft Adjustments
- Day 4: Drafting a Sleeve Block, Sleeve Insertion and Fittings
- Day 5: Finishing Tasks
You’ll learn which measurements to take, the correct way to take measurements and the professional etiquette applied to measurement taking.
Using written instructions, maths, and diagrams you will produce your first draft. This bespoke draft will feature torso information and measurements and can be used to create tops, skirts, and dresses.
Your pattern pieces will be traced from this draft, ready for fitting and testing.
You will learn what lay planning is used for, the rules of lay planning and how different standard fabric widths affect lay planning and length purchase. You’ll go away with tips for lay planning at home or work too.
You’ll spend dedicated time focusing on your cutting and marking techniques, learning how to use a tracing wheel and how this compares to tailor tacking. You’ll also understand the benefit of marking seam allowances and different tolerances.
Finally, you’ll independently assemble your calico toiles ready to fit and test your first draft. You will learn tips and professional expectations related to toiles.
Receive a fitting and conduct a fitting, working in pairs and with your tutor.
You will be shown how to apply your fitting markings and adjustments to your draft, so that you can further improve the fit, ahead of a second toile.
Using written instructions, maths, and diagrams you will produce a close-fit, inset sleeve draft. This draft will form the basis for most future sleeve ‘types’.
You’ll learn how to correctly ‘ease-in’ a fitted sleeve.
You will receive a fitting and conduct a fitting, working in pairs and with the tutor.
Working on your sleeve draft adjustments and dart rotation, you’ll apply fitting markings and adjustments to further improve the fit.
You’ll complete at least one of three exercises that will allow you to explore alternative placement of the bust dart (dart rotation).
There will be plenty of time for you to complete the tasks from each day of the course.
Depending on your progress, you may also have time to complete further corrective fitting work, work on a pattern design using the completed drafts and apply your skills to a commercial pattern adaptation. You will have gained the skills to complete these tasks in your own time, if not on the last day of the course.
Student Work
How you’re taught
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University city campus.
98% of previous course attendees were satisfied with the course, received the attention they needed and would consider doing another short course at NTU.
Contact hours
You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.
Once you have learnt these foundational pattern cutting and drafting skills, you will have a solid understanding to explore various avenues within fashion, including: advanced pattern making, tailoring, costume design, fashion technology and transfer the skillset into menswear.
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the Nottingham School of Art and Design on the City Campus.
You will have access to an excellent range of facilities and equipment in the fashion studios, with industry-standard fashion tables, professional mannequins, and space to work on your projects.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
Entry requirements
Level: Beginner - This course is for anyone new to the process of pattern cutting and drafting (you should have other foundational skills included in the entry requirements).
Entry requirement: You must be confident using a sewing machine to construct garments using shop-bought patterns.
Whilst the course teaches pattern cutting and drafting skills for womenswear, the course is open to everyone, regardless of gender identity or expression.
If you’d rather not use your own body measurements to work from, you'll receive a comprehensive set of measurements and biometrics tailored for a women's body to ensure that everyone can fully engage and benefit from the learning experience.
You must be over the age of 18 in order to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £695.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, including great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
What to Bring
Whilst a lot of materials, spare equipment and calico are supplied, you’ll need to start building your own tool kit so that you can continue pattern drafting after the course.
Therefore, please bring with you to the first day:
- tape measure
- tracing wheel (we have some to borrow if you can’t find one in time)
- HB pencil plus a few in colour
- 30cm ruler
- large set square
- meter ruler
- eraser
- paper scissors
- a roll of masking tape
- calculator
- a sewing kit that includes: tailors chalk, small ‘snips’, pinking shears and fabric shears, pins, tacking needles and tacking thread in bright colours (not cream or white).
The first day will involve taking your measurements correctly; please wear layers so that you can take accurate measurements.
Depending on your progress and how much additional content you access, you may wish to source:
- dress fabric and lining fabric
- reels of threads in a colour to match the top fabric
- a concealed zip.
Further details on these will be discussed as your course progresses.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
Need accommodation for a week long summer course?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £259 per week.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
How to apply
You can book your place via the NTU online store:
3 - 31 May 2025, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
18 - 22 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
27 September - 25 October 2025, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
24 January - 21 February 2026, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
18 April - 16 May 2026, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
Browse all our fashion, textiles and costume short courses
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813