Intermediate Sewing Class-working with Patterns

Darts and their use, how to read patterns and make clothes fit, basic alterations.



5.5 hours Class size 6 to 12 guests       £60

This workshop is designed to follow on from Beginners Sewing. Or, it could be a stand-alone session for those who can already use a machine at a basic level and wish to polish up their skills and technical know-how.
Please make sure that you can, at the very least, wind a bobbin, thread a machine, and sew in a straight line unaided. If not, sign up for the Beginners class first!
In this session, please bring your preferred method of taking notes and also any of your kit you may have. Bring your machine too as long as it's in good working order.
If there is time allowing, we will attempt to cover as many of these as possible:
We have planned a session where you can work on your own garments- It could be something you want to make ans need a bit of support to achieve a good fit. Or it could be pieces that you've made but they're not quite right. Emma and I will be working alongside you to guide and support you through the making process. We would always suggest you make a toille- which is a cotton version of your chosen outfit. This ensures a good fit and a chance to alter and adapt your pattern without wasting good fabric. It may be seen as time consuming, but Its always worth doing.
De-mystifying sewing patterns - What does all that jargon mean? We'll show you how to measure and choose which lines to cut. And then how to adapt and lay your pattern to not waste fabric. If you have a pattern youre thinking of working on, please bring it along. Youll be shown how to cut properly and how to interpret pattern notches. We have tips and tricks to make your patterns go together nicely and make your sewing experience hassle-free.
Basic clothes alterations - This could be a very comprehensive list! However, we'll cover just the basics. Taking dresses, skirts, or trousers in or out at the waist or hips. Using darts. Again, it could be useful to bring some of your garments to work on which we could use to demonstrate techniques to the class.
Above all, this is your chance to bring your sewing projects and have time to work on them with specialists on hand.
Sewing machines and equipment are supplied. Please feel free to work on your machine if you would prefer, but please make sure that it is in good working order and don't forget the pedal!
What you'll get
The opportunity to spend the day in a professional design studio.
Refreshments throughout the day.
The chance to relax and have fun while learning something new.
The opportunity to skill up.
Read more details   
Knowledge required
Previous attendance on the beginners class
Able to sew at a basic level.
What to bring
Their preferred method of note taking.
Suitable for

This class is great for a birthday or hen do.

Location

The Stitch and Make Studio - 7-9 Burns St, Northampton

Intermediate Sewing Class-working with Patterns location
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Recent reviews of Intermediate Sewing Class-working with Patterns

  • 5/5 from Olivia Brooks, attended Jul 2026: Great class, taught well, informative, very friendly :) thank you very much! Would definitely come back.
  • 5/5 from Suzie Kent, attended May 2026: Another really lovely and helpful workshop. Thanks a lot Abi and Emma. Very welcoming and keen to make sure we all move forward together. I wrote myself a lot of notes after so I won't forget what you taught, I hope! Thanks, Suze
  • 5/5 from Gillian Tapp, attended May 2026: Great class with brilliant tutors, I really enjoyed it. I learned how to make a pattern block and how to alter it. It was a lovely day leaning with like minded ladies. Thank you! Gill
  • 5/5 from Lizzie Ashley-Webb, attended May 2026: Absolutely loved this class! Great teachers, offering lots of support and answering my many questions. Felt very accessible whilst also challenging, with lots of new skills learnt. Really fun way to spend a Saturday and now I have lots of ideas to take back home with me. Thank you!
  • 5/5 from Chloe Allen, attended May 2026: This is a wonderful space! Abi and Emma are super knowledgeable and friendly - no question is too silly. They were very good at teaching sewing skills that would be useful for a range of projects. It's simultaneously a relaxed environment but came away having covered loads.
  • 5/5 from Rachel Eastwood, attended Oct 2025: Great class...pitched at the perfect level for us, demonstrations and lots of opportunities for hands on learning. Abi is very knowledgeable and helpful. Definitely recommend.
  • 5/5 from Karen Sidey, attended Oct 2025: really enjoyed my day - Abi was a great teacher and her knowledge was really vast and a good studio set up.
  • 5/5 from Claire Rocks, attended Jun 2025: Another great sewing class - we learnt lots of skills to start making & altering our own clothing. Thanks Abi
  • 5/5 from Heather Feasey, attended Jun 2025: Fantastic class! Learnt so much from Abi who is very helpful and knowledgeable! Have come away with some new skills that I’m eager to put into practice. Highly recommend Abi’s courses!
  • 5/5 from Louise Adams, attended Jun 2025: Excellent class. Very useful and practical
Your teacher

Stitch and Make Studio
Stitch and Make Studio

5.0 (55)
female Women-owned

The Stitch and Make studio sits in the heart of Northampton boot and shoe quarter. It is on the top floor of this remarkable Victorian building that youll find Abi's studio.
In a freelance career spanning 4 decades Abi has traveled the world as a costume supervisor, worked back stage with Rod Stewart, Pink, The Stereophonics and Smashing Pumpkins to name just a few as well as designing and making costumes for production companies.
At home in her studio she designs, pattern cuts and makes a range of one off pieces from old and repurposed fabrics. Often featuring surface design and hand embroidery these are sold at customer facing textile fairs such as Selvedge, Compton Verney and Sunnybank Mills.
Abi is an advocate of the slow fashion movement

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2026-10-23 15:00:00
class 0 1E57MXLBSX b30fa37a8c654059964d2a78c24cea95 1 production northampton Northampton East Midlands GB northampton