“Your outfit looks amazing”
-Thanks I made it!
Learn fitting, pattern cutting and advanced sewing skills so you can finally make clothes you LOVE to wear.
You dream of having a handmade wardrobe...
You dream of clothes that fit perfectly and express your unique style.
You buy all the fabric, the patterns & boxes of sewing supplies.
But every time you attempt to make a garment, you’re disappointed with how it looks and how it fits.
You’re trapped in a cycle of starting projects but never finishing them (or finishing them but not wearing them).
Your dream of having a sustainable wardrobe feels out of reach.
Now, look. I totally get you.
I have been there myself.... Muddling through projects, literally horrified with the results and feeling completely drained from the hours and hours at my sewing machine.
I decided that I would do whatever it took to overcome these hurdles and make clothes that I actually love to wear.
Over the years I have woven together industry level knowledge with home sewing intentions and crafted a way of sewing a handmade wardrobe that truly delivers.
My approach to sewing a handmade wardrobe means that you can...
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Fit and modify sewing patterns
for perfectly fitting and uniquely customised finished garments that you truly love to wear and want to make again and again.
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Draft your own sewing patterns, from scratch.
for perfectly fitting and uniquely customised finished garments that you truly love to wear and want to make again and again.
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And the best part is, you get to choose.
You get to be so skilled with every project you begin, you have a clear vision of what you’ll be making, how difficult it will be and how satisfying it will be when you finish.
Introducing…
The Completely Custom Academy
An online program for sewing a completely custom handmade wardrobe.
Fitting/ Pattern Cutting/ Advanced Sewing Skills
If you want...
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... to wear handmade clothes everyday which actually fit and you love to wear.
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... sewing to feel easy, inspired and abundant without wasting money on fabric or time on failed projects.
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… to leave fast fashion behind for good and feel completely confident to make your own clothes (without feeling burnt out in the process).
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And to stop feeling crap about your body becuase your clothes don't fit...
Then the Completely Custom Academy will give you all the skills and support you need!
The Completely Custom Academy will...
... show you how to break free from the sewing pattern trap which offers “easy-fit” styles, inclusive size ranges and free online fitting tutorials.
Instead, you will learn...
How to sculpt garments to your unique shape because easy-fit just means “so big it won’t pull on your curves”.
You can finally abandon loose-fitting styles and choose garments that hug and flow over your curves in exactly the way you choose.
How standard sizing works, and why it doesn’t work for you - even if it’s touted as an inclusive size range.
My students are frequently shocked by the adjustments they really need to get a true fit for their shape.
How to create a sewing experience full of flow, abundance and creativity...
...because you have the skills to modify sewing patterns to your style and finish preferences, or simply draft your own from your perfectly fitting blocks.
Your Sewing Teacher
Hey, I'm Lottie
Pattern cutter, block maker and fitting specialist.
My love of sewing really stems from my fascination with the relationship between how women’s bodies are treated and how equal and empowered we are in society.
I believe that standard sizing has a lot to answer for in how it has negatively impacted how women feel about their bodies. I love how when we sew clothes that fit, we are dismantling shame, conventional beauty standards, and staying small (both physically and metaphorically).
I am a Mum to my gorgeous daughter and baby no. 2 is on the way! We live at home in Milton Keynes, UK, with my partner Matt and our sweet cat, Tawny.
The pandemic and lockdowns got me teaching online and it has been an incredible way to reach sewists far and wide. I have developed the Completely Custom Academy over a number of years, teaching dozens of students in a highly supported and intimate way.
Since developing my self-study courses I have helped hundreds of sewists take their first steps into making clothes they love.
-now it’s your turn!
"That moment when a garment fits her shape perfectly is an emotional one."
Here's what you'll get when you join the Completely Custom Academy:
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Online course content
10 easy to access modules covering everything you need to fit, draft and sew a completely handmade wardrobe.
Crystal clear, step-by-step videos and downloadable guides.
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Full set of blocks
Formatted as sewing patterns and printable at home on A4 or at a copyshop on A0. Layered by size. Including fitted bodice with set-in-sleeve, skirt, trousers and a loose-fitting bodice black with two sleeve variations (for shirts and jackets)
So you don’t have to start from scratch and will hit the ground running!
Plus guides on how to make supplementary blocks.
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Step-by-step fitting processes
That you can apply to all your projects for a perfect fit, every time.
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Industry standard pattern cutting tutorials
With unlimited access and automatic updates, so you can create ANY garment your heart desires.
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Community and Mentorship
Free access to my private membership, "The Sewists Fitting Room" where you can post photos of your makes and I will give you feedback and personalised support so that you never get stuck or overwhelmed as you work through the course.
Plus, meet an awesome, online sewing community who are also making their way to a completely custom handmade wardrobe.
Want to know ALL the details?
See here for course modules and lessons.
Bodice & Sleeve Fitting
Module One
Lessons
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Full introduction, including how to measure for and choose the correct size
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How to toile by preparing your pattern and how to assess fit issues.
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Bust adjustments, including creating sculpt, an accurate apex and advanced techniques for larger busts.
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Waist & length adjustments, with various techniques for the perfect fit.
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Shoulder adjustments for the broad, narrow and how to add depth.
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Armhole and sleeve adjustments, to give you the foundation for epic gamrnets!
Skirt Fitting
Module Two
Lessons
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Full introduction, including how to measure for and choose the correct size.
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Skirt toile specifics, so you can fit with ease and accuracy.
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Creating compression using the side seams and waist darts.
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Adjustments for a full tummy and/ full bottom.
Simple Trousers
Module Three
Lessons
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Create culottes from your skirt block for a fast track to beautifully fitting, versatile trousers!
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Intro to trouser fitting principles including crotch depth vs crotch length.
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Trouser adjustments including changing the rise, the pitch and the crotch.
Advanced Trouser Fitting
Bonus Module
Lessons
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Full introduction, including how to measure for and choose the correct size.
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Advanced toile techniques that take you beyond simple slash and spread adjustments.
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How to balance your trouser block so you never fall down a fitting rabbit hole again!
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Body mapping exercises to elevate your knowledge and understanding of your own unique shape and how to apply that to the pattern.
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How to prepare and sew your toile for a seamless fitting expereince.
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A step-by-step tutorial on assessing and analyzing the fit of your toile.
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Plus, how to transfer those adjustments back to the pattern.
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A closer look at more complex fit adjustments and issues you may encounter.
Bonus Module
Additional Blocks & Block Making
A module dedicated to expanding your block library with additional PDF patterns, tutorials to transform existing blocks and drafting from scratch.
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Loose Fitting Bodice Block
Pdf pattern and fitting guide.
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How to draft lounge Pants
Transform your culotte block into comfy lounge pants.
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How to draft an all-in-one bodice block
An easy fit, easy to wear block with variations including a raglan sleeve.
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How to a skirt block
Even though one is provided with the course, there is a lesson to guide you through an introduction to block making from scratch.
Pattern Cutting Fundamentals
Module Four
Lessons
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Dart manipulation
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Setting up to draft
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Truing and labelling
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Adding notches and seam allowances
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Masterclass in ease
Pattern Cutting Skills
Module Five
Lessons
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Necklines
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Waistbands
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Sleeves
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Fastenings
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Collars and plackets
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Pleats, flounces and ruffles
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Pockets
Design Skills
Module Six
Lessons
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Create your perfect silhouette
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Design skills
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Project planning
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Find your colours
Final Module
Full Garment Walk-Throughs
A library of longer videos that take you through the drafting process of complete garments. Putting into action previous techniques and introducing new ones.
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Princess Seam Shift Dress
Learn how to put your bodice and skirt block together for this clean-line, panelled dress.
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Wrap Dress
This crowd-pleasing closure is made with hidden shaping and a agthered skirt.
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Revere Collar Shirt
Relaxed looking shirt with a world of possibilities. .
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Ladies Fitted Shirt
Proper shirt with a clever use of ease.
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Bomber Jacket
Super fun, super cool jacket!
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Biker Jacket
Another play with collars and reveres for this classic biker jacket.
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Blazor Jacket
Leanr how to create sculpt in an easeful block and create an easy to waer jacket.
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Elasticated Waist Trousers
A warobe staple and a technique that can be used again and again.
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Pleated Culottes
See compression techniques in action and how to effectively create pleats in your culottes block.
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Curved Waistband Jeans
Is there anything better than the perfect pair of jeans? Here is your chance :)
Let's talk Bonuses!
Sign up today and grab these awesome extras...
This Masterclass is filled with tutorials that will take the finish of your makes to the next level. they also include industry standrd savvy that mean techniques that have previously baffled you will feel EASY!
Most notably: how to install an invisible zipper with no pins, no hand basting or unpicking. And a pucker free finish (of course).
Worth £150.
I can't speak highly enough of Bevan, founder of Bawn Textiles.
Bawn textiles is a fabric shop in Glasgow (also available online) and is a sewists paradise. High quality, natural fabrics are beautifully curated by fabric expert Bevan.
Not only is Bevan a pillar of wisdom in the home sewing community, she is an Irish textile specialist with a background in fine art and textile conservation. Bevan juggles fabric shop life with textile conservation work making her perfectly placed to teach you about fabric!
This module covers topics from textile types to sustainability.
Plus, a bonus video on how to use fabric weight to shop online.
Worth £250
Get support and guidance from me as you work through the course!
Free access to my private membership, "The Sewists Fitting Room" where you can post photos of your makes and get support so that you never get stuck or overwhelmed as you work through your projects.
Plus, meet an awesome online sewing community who are also making their way to a completely custom handmade wardrobe.
Worth £50 per month.
I had lots of disjointed information and skills but I just couldn’t use them in any practical way because I was missing the links. With Lottie’s help, I have been able to put everything together and I feel so capable now!
Jennifer
@sewyourownclothes
Would really recommend this to anyone who's fed up with trying to fit from patterns that are designed for 'off the peg' bodies and feeling disillusioned with all the time and energy it can take :)
Sally Waldwin
Lucy
I was frustrated by not knowing how to ensure that clothes patterns would fit my non-industry standard curves.
I now feel empowered to make changes to patterns so that they will work for me.
Laura
It's given me so much confidence to make my own clothing, and has given me the resources to go back and look at whenever I need them in a really clear and simple way.
-Without having to trawl through YouTube or text-heavy sewing books.
Investment Options
Select your enrollment level below:
Pay in 6 Installments
£179
£125
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Online course content
10 easy to access modules covering everything you need to fit, draft and sew a completely handmade wardrobe.
Crystal clear, step-by-step videos and downloadable guides
Every step of your journey mapped out in easy to access, crystal clear video tutorials and guides… So you can make clothes that fit and you love to wear.
-
Step-by-step fitting processes
Tried, tested and developed for real bodies (not just tweaks to standard sizing). Repeatable steps that you will apply to all your projects for a perfect fit, every time.
-
A full set of blocks
Formatted as sewing patterns and printable at home on A4 or at a copyshop on A0. Layered by size. Including a fitted bodice with set-in-sleeve, skirt, trousers and a loose-fitting bodice block with two sleeve variations (for shirts and jackets)
So you don’t have to start from scratch and will hit the ground running!
-
Industry standard pattern cutting tutorials
With unlimited access and automatic updates, you can create ANY garment your heart desires. Pattern cutting skills will allow you to draft patterns from scratch or alter existing sewing patterns to your unique style.
-
[Bonus] Community and Mentorship (Worth £50 per month)
Free access to my private membership, "The Sewists Fitting Room", where you can post photos of your makes and I will give you feedback and personalised support so that you never get stuck or overwhelmed as you work through the course.
Plus, meet an awesome online sewing community who are also making their way to a completely custom handmade wardrobe.
-
[Bonus] Advanced Sewing Skills Masterclass (worth £150)
This Masterclass is filled with tutorials that will take the finish of your makes to the next level. Including how to install an invisible zipper with no pins, no hand basting or unpicking. And a pucker free finish (of course).
-
[Bonus] Specialist Fabric module from Bevan O'Daly (worth £250)
Bevan a pillar of wisdom in the home sewing community, an Irish textile specialist with a background in fine art and textile conservation. This module covers topics from textile types to sustainability.
Plus, a bonus video on how to use fabric weight to shop online.
Pay in full
£999
£699
-
Online course content
10 easy to access modules covering everything you need to fit, draft and sew a completely handmade wardrobe.
Crystal clear, step-by-step videos and downloadable guides
Every step of your journey mapped out in easy to access, crystal clear video tutorials and guides… So you can make clothes that fit and you love to wear.
-
Step-by-step fitting processes
Tried, tested and developed for real bodies (not just tweaks to standard sizing). Repeatable steps that you will apply to all your projects for a perfect fit, every time.
-
A full set of blocks
Formatted as sewing patterns and printable at home on A4 or at a copyshop on A0. Layered by size. Including a fitted bodice with set-in-sleeve, skirt, trousers and a loose-fitting bodice block with two sleeve variations (for shirts and jackets)
So you don’t have to start from scratch and will hit the ground running!
-
Industry standard pattern cutting tutorials
With unlimited access and automatic updates, you can create ANY garment your heart desires. Pattern cutting skills will allow you to draft patterns from scratch or alter existing sewing patterns to your unique style.
-
[Bonus] Community and Mentorship (Worth £50 per month)
Free access to my private membership, "The Sewists Fitting Room", where you can post photos of your makes and I will give you feedback and personalised support so that you never get stuck or overwhelmed as you work through the course.
Plus, meet an awesome online sewing community who are also making their way to a completely custom handmade wardrobe.
-
[Bonus] Advanced Sewing Skills Masterclass (worth £150)
This Masterclass is filled with tutorials that will take the finish of your makes to the next level. Including how to install an invisible zipper with no pins, no hand basting or unpicking. And a pucker free finish (of course).
-
[Bonus] Specialist Fabric module from Bevan O'Daly (worth £250)
Bevan a pillar of wisdom in the home sewing community, an Irish textile specialist with a background in fine art and textile conservation. This module covers topics from textile types to sustainability.
Plus, a bonus video on how to use fabric weight to shop online.
How much money is sitting in your fabric stash right now? Could you bare to count..
An average fabric order is 2.5m and if it’s quite nice fabric (not even the fanciest) it could have been £20 per meter- £50 in total. Times that by each piece sitting in your stash.
My guess, because I see it ALL the time with students, is that your fabric and sewing supply stash is already way above the cost of the course.
My mission is for you to sew through your current fabric stash. From there, you’ll be able to buy fabric for a specific project and then use that fabric and wear it as a much loved me-made!
You’ll sew with such inspiration and precision, you won’t be leaving fabric to gather dust in a cupboard.
I really would encourage anyone who is confident at making clothes but disillusioned with patterns and fit of clothing in general, to do this course.
It will change everything.
Read more...
Before Lottie’s course I was increasingly disappointed with the results of commercial patterns. I can now bypass commercial patterns completely or adjust them if I want to!
The course has confirmed my belief that standard fashion does not work for most people. My biggest achievement has been that I have designed and made a complete garment, it fits beautifully.
If you are thinking about signing up… definitely do it. You will have access to a huge amount of invaluable resources and you will be supported throughout.
I was surprised how quickly I was able to achieve my goals. I am now completely confident in designing and drafting my own patterns!
It was much more than I hoped, I have so many useful resources to go back to and the support from Lottie and other sewists has been fantastic.
For the powerful girl bosses…
Imagine… sitting in a meeting a work. A beautifully sewn, full, linen sleeve rests against your skin. The waistband pulls you in comfortingly.
Not only have you made the top you are wearing, your trousers and handmade too. The 10 oz twill has worn in perfectly to mold to your shape. The zip fly never gapes.
For the Mums...
Imagine… it’s your mid-week-Mum day and you throw on another layer as you pile the kids into the car. But its not just any layer, its a sweet, wool jacket you made with a button down front so you can breastfeed at a moments notice.
Your leggings may have a small hand print made of biscuit on them, but the waistband contours your every curve.
The special gusset construction means you can bend and stretch as you load up, ready for your mummy mission of the day.
For the High Priestesses
Imagine… You didn’t realize that maturity would feel so empowering. They told you you'd be over-the-hill, invisible. But you’ve never been more sure of who you are and what you want.
You finally wear the skirt the stylist said was “the wrong length for your short legs”, and that rich cotton blouse with a high neck and flounce details you worried was “too dramatic” or “not sexy”.
For the reitred socialite
Imagine.. Even though retired, you are busier than ever. But it feels great. You can handle it and you love how your years of experience make it look effortless. There is this quiet determination though, to make time for yourself, and you do it.
You make the dress, you make it fit. You make it fit this body, because this body is worth celebrating.
I was surprised at Lottie's method of measurements for pattern sizing. I went down three to four sizes (very nervously) than I had previously used for making garments and it worked!!
I can now create styles that suit my body shape as opposed to being influenced by the latest patterns and styles constantly promoted on social media.
Read More
Sewing was becoming miserable, frustrating and soul destroying for me. I have sewn for many years and am a proficient seamstress, however my confidence was at rock bottom. Most off the peg clothes are similar in fit and I am not keen on wearing clothes that are massed produced.
I decided to take this course after finding that the big four, and the Indie dress patterns did not fit me.
When I followed the measuring system advocated by the pattern companies, their patterns simply didn't fit. The clothes were enormous on me, they hung off of the shoulders, and were not flattering in any way.
I was surprised at Lottie's method of measurements for pattern sizing. I went down three to four sizes (very nervously) than I had previously used for making garments and it worked!!
I followed Lottie on social media, but it did take a while for me to sign up. I have learnt a lot from her about fitting and the pattern market in general. I can now see and understand why patterns do not work and have learnt so much that in all of my years of sewing is new to me.
I can now create styles that suit my body shape as opposed to being influenced by the latest patterns and styles constantly promoted on social media. My body shape hasn't changed and I am not sure that any of us will ever have the body that we would like. However I am learning to work with it and to be more accepting, rather than the constant beating up and desire to change what we have through some new diet or exercise plan!
You've made it down this far,
maybe have some questions...
So, how does it work?
Once you sign up, you get immediate access to the course which is hosted on my website. You'll be sent a unique login and be invited to The Sewists Fitting where you can get support and meet the other sewists!
You can work at your own pace and keep coming back to the tutorials as long as you need.
I'm just so busy!! Should I wait until I have more time...
The Completely Custom Academy is designed to get you out of the overwhelming depths you can find yourself in when you want to sew a handmade wardrobe, but you find yourself wasting time on projects you don't finish or garments you don't wear.
The Academy will give you what you need to quantum leap out of the swamp land that is muddling through fitting and sewing instruction booklets and into an inspired realm of high quality skills that allow you to masterfully glide through each project.
You’ll spend less time sewing and end up with more handmade clothes to wear.
Am I too beginner?
This course is aimed at sewists that are confident about how to sew garments as we will be focusing on pattern cutting and fitting more than how to sew.
As long as you have made at least five garments, that should enough, but we can talk it through to check.
I will be teaching fitting and pattern cutting from scratch, so no experience is needed in this area!
Am I too advanced?
As well as the course content that covers techniques, this program is about supporting you in your creative process. It offers you the space to fit, pattern cut and sew in a mindful, body-positive space. If you are an advanced sewist or pattern cutter and looking to take a new approach to making garments, this course will offer you just that.
Is it on Facebook? I'm not sure about online learning?
The main course is not hosted on Facebook. The support and community is on Facebook, in a private group. If you aren’t on Facebook then you can email me directly for support and guidance.
Learning online does require commitment and self motivation to login and follow the tutorials.
Having taught a mix of live and self study courses, I know that what you need is the correct information laid out in an easy to follow and accessible format.
Which is what I give you in the CC Academy!
Having an online course means that the information is truly accessible and you can follow the steps at your own pace, in the comfort of your own home.
The online library provides enough instruction for YEARS of sewing and the unlimited access means that it will be your companion for many, many projects to come.
What about sizing?
This program is available for all sizes and shapes! The blocks will be available in a standard size range, if you fall out of that range I will make you a custom set. I’ll explain exactly why I do this too.
We’ll be learning and doing so much fitting that the garments you create in this course will be completely custom fit to you and your beautifully unique shape.
Let's do this!
I'm ready to sew a completely custom, handmade wardrobe...
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