Clothing Workshop Tutor: Janet Major

In this workshop we began by thinking about ‘tops’ and us, what sort of tops would help flatter are personal body shapes and which would not. We looked at the advantages of  having a duplicate body to work with and Janet was prepared to show us her real shape compared to a ‘bought manikin’ and we briefly discussed how to use the shape to alter our clothes to fit and add other design features. Working in pairs we then took detailed measurements of our tops and using some standard reference ones added these to drafting paper. The result was a back, a front and a set in sleeve. Working with stretch jersey we cut out our tops and stitched them up! As always we had a break for a wonderful spread – our famous shared lunch. There was much hard work, much fun and much success by workshop members. We now have the confidence, knowledge & motivation to use this day in our own textile work.

(..and a few weeks later we have seen a different top cut from the pattern and  heard of clothes alterations that have ‘happened’ so that we actually wear and like what we have made! )   Janet

These photos will give a flavour of the day:

Some ideas for later                                          Pattern Drafting

Cutting Out                                            

                                             . . . . . and completed !