Couture Garment Construction Sewing Workshops Schedule 2023| CIAM Patternmaking Australia

CIAM’s couture garment construction sewing workshops teach participants couture sewing with an emphasis on garment construction.

Previously, only students enrolled in our patternmaking courses could attend these workshops. We have decided to make these workshops available to everyone who wants to improve their sewing skills.

If attendees choose to enrol in CIAM certificate courses after participating in these workshops, their work will be credited towards their CIAM qualifications.

Our workshops are appropriate for complete beginners as well as for those who want to take their sewing to the next level.

The workshops are scheduled throughout the year and are held on Saturdays at our Belmore studio.

In addition to garment construction, we also offer couture technical sewing workshops that teach specific couture techniques that will then be incorporated into the garments.

Cost

The cost for each 3-hour workshop is available on application. Please contact us and we will provide information about the cost of the workshops along with enrolment information.

If a participant finishes the garment in fewer days than estimated, the payment may be used for future workshops (patternmaking or sewing). If a participant does not finish the garment within the workshop timeframe, they must complete the garment in their own time or book a catch-up workshop at an additional charge. Another option is to complete the garment during patternmaking classes.

Booking

Workshop places are limited, so CIAM is unable to refund in the event of cancellation. Please check dates before making your workshop bookings as there can be NO exceptions.

In the event that there are insufficient numbers for a viable workshop, the workshop will be cancelled. CIAM will then make a full refund of prior payment for the workshop booking.

Course Requirements

Participants must attend the workshops listed for each garment. As workshops follow a tight timeframe, it is essential that participants complete their homework before the following workshop.

Participants will need to discuss with CIAM what garments are suitable for their level of experience. As commercial patterns are not suitable for this type of sewing, patterns will be drafted by CIAM to the participant’s measurements and style specifications. This will incur an additional cost (price dependent upon garment type and style). Participants will therefore need to make an appointment with CIAM prior to the commencement of the first workshop in order to organise the drafting of their pattern and a calico fitting. This will be required for each garment to be constructed. Students enrolled in CIAM certificate courses may draft their own patterns.

Equipment and Sewing Supplies

Participants should bring their own sewing machines with accessories and manuals. It may be possible to hire one from CIAM on prior application.

Participants will require basic sewing essentials, including pins, needles, threads, fabric scissors and thread snippers.

Times

Belmore 9:00am – 12:00 pm (Saturdays)

Please arrive 15 minutes early to set up for the class.

COUTURE SEWING WORKSHOPS – LEVEL 1

CIAM workshops at Level 1 include an unlined skirt, an unlined simple pair of trousers and an unlined jacket.

Fabric Choices: Please use natural fibres for the skirt or trousers (i.e. cotton, linen or wool). If you are unsure of the suitability of your preferred fabrics, please contact CIAM for advice.

Click on the Read more button under the garments you are interested in sewing for further information. Then click on the Read less button to close the content window and look at other workshops.

Skirt (Unlined)

Workshops	Saturday
Cut Out Skirt	April 29^th 2023
Skirt Construction	May 13^th 2023
Skirt Construction	May 27^th 2023

Style	Unlined basic skirt; straight, pencil or flared; with a zipper and straight waistband
Techniques	Cutting; tailor-tacking (thread marking); invisible zip; waistband; general construction
Requirements	Fabric (discuss length required during the pattern-drafting appointment); thread; 25cm invisible zip
Level	Beginners – advanced

Workshops	Saturday
Customise and Cut Out Trousers	June 24^th 2023
Trousers Construction	July 22^nd 2023
Trousers Construction	August 5^th 2023

Style	Unlined, without pockets; side or back invisible zipper; shaped waistband
Techniques	Fitting; cutting; tailor-tacking (thread marking); invisible zip; waistband; general construction
Requirements	Fabric (discuss length required during the pattern-drafting appointment); thread; 25cm invisible zip.
Level	Beginners – advanced

Workshops	Saturday
Customise and Cut Out Jacket	September 16^th2023
Jacket Construction	October 14^th 2023
Jacket Construction	October 28^th 2023
Jacket Construction	November 4^th 2023

Style	Unlined jacket; patch pockets; notched collar; princess line or darted
Techniques	Fitting; cutting; tailor-tacking (thread marking); patch pockets; tailored sleeves & collar; lining insertion; general construction
Requirements	Fabric (discuss length required during the pattern-drafting appointment); thread (200m); 2.5 – 3.5 cm buttons (1 – 3 depending on jacket style & length); fusible interfacing
Level	Intermediate – advanced

COUTURE SEWING WORKSHOPS – LEVEL 2

The workshops cover garment construction for a lined, straight skirt; a lined pair of trousers; and a tailored jacket. Each course is designed to reinforce and extend your couture sewing skills.

These workshops will be made available depending on your skills level and sufficient enrolments for the course to be viable.

Fabric Choices: Please use natural fibres for the skirt or trousers (i.e. cotton, linen or wool). As the jacket uses a horsehair insertion, medium-weight wool (e.g. tweed) is required. Note: A soft cotton voile is recommended for lining trousers rather than traditional lining fabrics. If you are unsure of the suitability of your preferred fabrics, please contact CIAM for advice.

Skirt (Lined)

Workshops	Saturday
Cut Out Skirt and Lining	April 29^th 2023
Skirt Construction	May 13^th 2023
Skirt Construction	May 27^th 2023

Style	Straight or pencil skirt; lined; invisible zipper; faced waistline: back vent
Techniques	Cutting; tailor-tacking (thread marking); invisible zip; lined vent; general construction
Requirements	Fabric & lining (discuss length required during the pattern-drafting appointment); thread; 20 – 25cm invisible zip.
Level	Intermediate – advanced

Workshops	Saturday
Customise and Cut Out Trousers and Lining	June 24^th 2023
Trousers Construction	July 22^nd 2023
Trousers Construction	August 5^th 2023
Trousers Construction	August 19^th 2023

Style	Tailored trousers; lined; side pockets; fly front zip and shaped waistband
Techniques	Fitting; cutting; tailor-tacking (thread marking); fly; pockets; waistband; general construction
Requirements	Fabric & lining (discuss length required during the pattern-drafting appointment); thread; button; 20 cm zip.
Level	Intermediate – advanced

Workshops	Saturday
Customise and Cut Out Jacket and Lining	September 16^th2023
Jacket Construction	October 14^th 2023
Jacket Construction	October 28^th 2023
Jacket Construction	November 4^th 2023
Jacket Construction	November 18^th 2023

Style	Tailored Jacket; lined, bound pockets & buttonholes; notched collar; princess line; 2 piece sleeve
Techniques	Fitting; cutting; tailor-tacking (thread marking); bound pockets & buttonholes; tailored sleeves & collar; horse hair canvas insertion; lining insertion; general construction
Requirements	Fabric (discuss length required during the pattern-drafting appointment); thread (200m); 2.5 – 3.5 cm buttons (1 – 3 depending on jacket style & length); fusible interfacing
Level	Advanced

Couture Sewing Technical Workshops

There are several couture sewing technical workshops scheduled throughout the year. These workshops are available for external participants and students enrolled in CIAM certificate courses. Most of these technical workshops are optional but students may find them beneficial and interesting. All couture sewing technical workshops are charged separately and in addition to the cost of the couture garment construction workshops. The cost for each 3-hour workshop is available on application. Please contact us and we will provide information about the cost of the workshops along with enrolment information.

It is however compulsory for students enrolled in CIAM certificate courses to attend the following technical classes, depending on their course level.

Workshops	Course Level	Saturday
Zipper insertion Invisible zips; lapped zips; centred zips & hand-picked zips.	Level 1 Skirt	May 6^th2023
Skirt vent A tailored skirt vent (or kick-pleat) for the back of a straight skirt.	Level 2 Skirt	May 20^th 2023
Fly front Inserting a fly front into a pair of trousers (appropriate for tailored trousers or jeans).	Level 2 Trousers	July 15^th 2023
Pockets In-seam pockets and patch pockets.	Level 1 Jacket	September 23^rd 2023
Bound pockets and buttonholes Technique for a bound pocket with a welt that can be adapted for buttonholes.	Level 2 Jacket	August 26^th 2023
Horsehair canvas Using horsehair canvas to add shape and body to the jacket, especially the collar and lapels.	Level 2 Jacket	September 9^th 2023

Contact CIAM to book your workshops!

Private classes are also available on request at an additional cost.

Couture Garment Construction Sewing Workshops Schedule 2023