Draft Your Own Patterns for Clothes That Fit Perfectly and Reflect Your Unique Style
Imagine a wardrobe filled with clothes you've designed and made yourself, tailored to your body's unique shape.
Clothes you made, with your own hands.
But right now, sewing feels like an uphill battle.
Patterns promise the perfect fit, but instead, you end up frustrated—or worse, with garments you don’t even want to wear.
You pull a freshly sewn dress over your head, the fabric brushing softly against your skin. But as you look in the mirror, your excitement fades. It pinches at the waist, pulls at the shoulders, and leaves you feeling deflated—like it’s fighting against you instead of celebrating you.
Every project that doesn’t fit chips away at your confidence. Your piles of fabric and unfinished projects mock you. Every failure makes you wonder: is it me?
Let me tell you: it’s not you. It’s the system.
“Sewing was becoming miserable, frustrating, and soul-destroying… but now I draft clothes that feel like me.”
— Alison Beckett
Read Alison's full story here...
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!
The Truth About Sewing Patterns
You’ve been led to believe the problem is your body.
It’s not.
Most patterns weren’t designed for real bodies. They were built for standard sizes that don’t account for your curves, your proportions, or your creative vision.
And you, my friend, are anything but standard.
This is why you’ve struggled with every adjustment, every toile, and every tutorial. Because the problem isn’t you.
It’s the process you’ve been taught.
What if you could stop wrestling with ill-fitting patterns and finally create clothes that not only fit but empower you to feel your absolute best?
Imagine the feel of a perfectly tailored dress skimming your body, soft fabric moving effortlessly with every step. Clothes that don’t just fit—they embrace your shape, honour your creativity, and make you feel like the truest expression of yourself.
This is more than sewing. It’s about creating a wardrobe that fits your body, your style, and your story.
And it starts right here.
Why Pattern Cutting Changes Everything
You’ve been told the secret to better sewing is better adjustments—pinning, slashing, tweaking, trialling.
But what if the adjustments aren’t the answer?
What if they’re the problem?
Because you can’t create clothes that truly fit using patterns that weren’t made for your body.
That’s why Completely Custom Academy teaches you how to draft patterns from scratch—starting with your exact measurements, your proportions, your shape.
When you become the pattern maker, everything gets easier:
– You know exactly where the darts should go.
– You understand why the waistline feels off.
– You stop guessing—and start designing with confidence.
Pattern cutting isn’t just another sewing skill.
It’s the missing link.
Introducing…
The Completely Custom Academy
The ultimate step-by-step guide for sewists who are ready to master their craft, reclaim their confidence, and build a sustainable wardrobe that feels as incredible as it looks.
No more guessing. Only the skills, tools, and support you need to create clothes that are entirely, beautifully you.
Whether you're starting from scratch or love using commercial patterns, you'll learn how to make every garment fit perfectly, without the endless tweaking.
Even if your schedule feels full, this course will simplify your sewing process, saving you time and frustration while creating garments you’ll actually wear.
- Master fitting, pattern cutting, and sewing with ease.
- Wear handmade clothes every day that truly fit and express your style.
- Stop wasting time and fabric on projects that don’t work out.
- Feel confident, creative, and completely at home in your own body.
- Finally leave fast fashion behind for good.
This isn’t about "good enough." It’s about creating clothes you love to wear and mastering the craft of sewing on your terms.
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!
Read More
it’s made me realise that every body has its own idiosyncrasies and that no matter what shape or size we are, we all need to tweak garments in order for them to show off our best assets. It’s great to have the camaraderie of the other ladies on the course as you get to see the different issues different people have. This makes you realise that everyone struggles with fitting issues and that the real issue is the RTW clothes, not you.
Also, when you have your own block, you stop having to think about sizes at all because you are just going off whether it’s fits well and whether it feels comfortable.
-Jennifer
I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to make clothes. It’s very very practical and you really learn how to do everything step by step and in such a user friendly way.
The tutorial videos are great for when you want to check something again or see where you went wrong.
Lottie is extremely supportive and has a beautiful calm and nourishing energy. She has really brought out the best in me and has been so encouraging - if you want to learn, she is a brilliant teacher.
Here’s What You’ll Learn, Create, and Love
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Online course content
10 easy-to-follow modules covering everything you need to fit, draft, and sew a completely custom wardrobe.
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Full set of blocks
Including a fitted bodice, skirt, trousers, and a loose-fitting bodice block with sleeve variations—so you can hit the ground running.
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Step-by-step fitting processes
Proven techniques you can apply to every project for a perfect fit, every time.
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Professional Pattern Cutting Techniques
Learn the techniques to design and create garments with ease and confidence.
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Community and Mentorship
Free access to The Sewists Fitting Room, where you can share your progress, get feedback, and connect with other sewists on the same journey.
The Modules
Module One: Bodice & Sleeve Fitting
Master the Foundation of Perfect Fit for Your Upper Garments.
In this module, you’ll learn the essential techniques to achieve flawless fit and comfort for tops, dresses, and jackets. Say goodbye to gaping necklines and uncomfortable sleeves.
Lessons
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Choosing Your Size & Measuring Correctly: Take the guesswork out of sizing with precise techniques.
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Toile Preparation & Fit Assessment: Learn how to identify and resolve fit issues with ease.
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Bust Adjustments: From creating accurate sculpting to advanced techniques for larger busts, ensure every garment flatters your shape.
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Waist & Length Adjustments: Perfect the balance and proportion of your garments for a custom finish.
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Shoulder Adjustments: Achieve a flawless shoulder fit, whether broad, narrow, or somewhere in between.
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Armhole & Sleeve Adjustments: Build the foundation for sleeves that move with you effortlessly.
Module Two: Skirt Fitting
Create Skirts That Fit, Flatter, and Flow Like Water.
Unlock the skills to tailor skirts to your unique body shape, ensuring they fit comfortably and look amazing.
Lessons
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Accurate Sizing & Skirt-Specific Toiles: Ensure every skirt fits as intended before you even cut into your fabric.
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Side Seam & Waist Dart Compression: Achieve the perfect fit for a sleek and tailored silhouette.
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Adjustments for Tummies & Full Bottoms: Learn techniques to accommodate and flatter every curve.
Module Three: Simple Trousers
The Fast-Track to Perfectly Fitting Everyday Trousers.
Master the principles of trouser fitting and transform your basic blocks into versatile and comfortable garments.
Lessons
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Culottes from Skirt Blocks: A simple and speedy way to create stylish trousers.
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Trouser Fitting Basics: Understand crotch depth, length, and how these elements influence fit.
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Trouser Adjustments: Tweak rise, pitch, and crotch for trousers that fit like a dream.
Advanced Trouser Fitting
Bonus Module
Overcome the Most Challenging Fitting Issues with Confidence.
Dive deep into advanced techniques to refine your trouser fit and achieve a professional finish.
Lessons
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Advanced Toile Techniques: Go beyond basic adjustments with sophisticated fitting methods.
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Balancing Your Trouser Block: Ensure your garments stay consistent and tailored.
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Body Mapping for Precision: Apply unique insights about your shape directly to your patterns.
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Fit Analysis & Transfer Techniques: Perfectly execute adjustments for a polished finish.
Additional Blocks & Block Making
Bonus Module
Expand Your Wardrobe Possibilities with Custom Blocks.
Build a library of versatile blocks and gain the skills to create custom designs from scratch.
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Loose Fitting Bodice Block: Create relaxed, everyday garments with professional finesse.
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Lounge Pants: Transform culottes into comfortable, stylish lounge pants.
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All-in-One Bodice Block: Explore effortless designs with raglan sleeves and more.
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Introduction to Skirt Block Drafting: Learn the fundamentals of block creation for complete customisation.
Module Four: Pattern Cutting Fundamentals
Build the Skills to Design Garments with Confidence.
Develop the foundational skills to create patterns that translate your ideas into wearable garments.
Lessons
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Dart Manipulation & Draft Setup: Shape garments with precision.
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Seam allowances, Truing, Labeling, & Adding Notches: Ensure your patterns are production-ready.
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Mastering Ease: The subtle, and sometime dramatic, art of adding ease into your designs.
“Once I learned to build garments from the block up, designed for my body, not standard sizing, everything changed.”
Module Five: Pattern Cutting Skills
Transform Your Designs into Precision-Crafted Patterns.
Explore the finer details of pattern cutting to elevate your designs and add complexity with ease.
Lessons
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Necklines & Waistbands: Perfect the features that define your garments.
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Sleeves, Fastenings, Collars, & Plackets: Add versatility and style to your designs.
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Pleats, Flounces, Ruffles, & Pockets: Incorporate creative elements for unique garments.
Module Six: Design Skills
Create Wardrobe Staples That Reflect Your Personal Style.
Learn how to design garments that are as practical as they are beautiful.
Lessons
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Creating Your Ideal Silhouette: Ensure every design flatters your body and fits your aesthetic.
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Design Process Mastery: Take garments from idea to reality with confidence.
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Project Planning: Streamline your sewing projects for consistent results.
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Finding Your Colours: Create cohesive designs that complement your wardrobe.
Module Seven: Full Garment Walk-Throughs
Transform Your Skills into Stunning Finished Pieces.
Follow comprehensive tutorials that bring everything together into garments you’ll love to wear.
Lessons
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Princess Seam Shift Dress: Combine bodice and skirt blocks for a clean-lined, elegant dress.
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Wrap Dress: Create a flattering silhouette with hidden shaping.
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Revere Collar Shirt & Ladies Fitted Shirt: Master the art of creating professional tops.
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Bomber, Biker, & Blazer Jackets: Elevate your outerwear game with stylish finishes.
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Elasticated Waist Trousers & Pleated Culottes: Perfect these wardrobe staples.
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Curved Waistband Jeans: Craft the ultimate pair of jeans tailored to your shape.
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.
Say Yes to a Wardrobe You’ll Love to Wear—Every Single Day
Pay in 6 Installments
£179
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Online course content: 10 easy-to-follow modules covering everything you need to fit, draft, and sew a completely custom wardrobe.
-
Step-by-step fitting processes: Proven techniques you can apply to every project for a perfect fit, every time.
-
A Full Set of Blocks: Including a fitted bodice, skirt, trousers, and a loose-fitting bodice block with sleeve variations—so you can hit the ground running.
-
Professional Pattern Cutting Techniques: Learn the techniques to design and create garments with ease and confidence.
Pay in full
£999
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Online course content: 10 easy-to-follow modules covering everything you need to fit, draft, and sew a completely custom wardrobe.
-
Step-by-step fitting processes: Proven techniques you can apply to every project for a perfect fit, every time.
-
A Full Set of Blocks: Including a fitted bodice, skirt, trousers, and a loose-fitting bodice block with sleeve variations—so you can hit the ground running.
-
Professional Pattern Cutting Techniques: Learn the techniques to design and create garments with ease and confidence.
Here’s The Truth: Sewing Is A Part Of Who You Are.
But without the right skills, you’ll keep pouring time, money, and energy into projects that don’t work.
This course doesn’t just teach you how to sew—it transforms how you sew.
With fewer mistakes, less wasted fabric, and garments you’ll actually love to wear, you’ll unlock the confidence and creativity you’ve been searching for.
Let me leave you with this question.
Every garment you sew should feel like a celebration—a second skin that moves effortlessly with you and reminds you of the creativity in every stitch. How many more ill-fitting projects will you wrestle with before you experience the joy of wearing clothes that feel as though they were always meant for you?
Absolutely the course has made me feel more positively about my body! I feel far kinder towards myself.
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 to that they will work for me.
Your Sewing Teacher
Hey, I'm Lottie
Pattern cutting and sewing specialist, and lifelong champion of handmade wardrobes that empower and inspire.
I still remember standing in the fitting room at M&S, staring at the mirror and feeling defeated. The clothes didn’t fit—not in the way I needed them to. They pinched here, gaped there, and left me wondering if my body was the problem. But I knew, deep down, it wasn’t me. It was the system.
That moment didn’t just ignite my sewing journey—it planted the seed of something bigger. The realisation that creating clothes by hand isn’t just about fit or style—it’s about reclaiming control, celebrating craftsmanship, and stepping away from the wastefulness of fast fashion.
Over a decade of sewing, teaching, and professional training at the London College of Fashion, I’ve deepened my craft, honed my techniques, and committed myself to helping sewists of all levels master the art of making clothes they love. Clothes that fit beautifully, wear effortlessly, and honour the creativity, skill, and care that go into every stitch.
For me, sewing isn’t just a functional hobby—it’s an act of artistry, a quiet rebellion against mass production, and a way to connect with the stories our clothes tell. When you create your wardrobe, piece by piece, you’re not only building something truly your own—you’re stitching together the softness of sustainable fabrics, the artistry of slow fashion, and the joy of wearing clothes with stories woven into every seam.
The Completely Custom Academy is about more than sewing skills—it’s about helping you rediscover your confidence, your creativity, and the joy of making something that truly belongs to you. Together, we’ll celebrate the craft, the process, and the incredible things you can create with your own two hands.
Let’s rewrite the rules together. Oh, and while we’re at it—let’s craft your perfect wardrobe.
Say Goodbye To Sewing Struggles—Start Creating The Wardrobe Of Your Dreams Today!
What Past Students Are Saying:
I can’t remember a time I felt this good in a piece of clothing, with the fit especially AND the added benefit of wearing something I’ve actually made!! Thank you so much for all your help!!
Emily
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
Philippa
“It has been a game changer… not just making the biggest size anymore. And finally converted to making toiles. Not ‘wearable toiles’ that I just make do with.”
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.
This Is For You If…
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You’ve ever stood in front of the mirror wondering if your body was the problem.
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You want to sew with confidence, not guesswork.
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You’re ready to stop wasting time on tweaks that almost work.
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You’ve ever stood in front of the mirror wondering if your body was the problem.
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You love sewing, but you’re ready to master it.
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Got Questions? Let’s Get You Some Answers
So, how does it work?
As soon as you sign up, you’ll have instant access to the course on my website. You’ll also get your unique login and an invitation to join The Sewists Fitting Room—a supportive, private community where you can share progress, ask questions, and connect with others who “get it.”
The best part? You can work at your own pace. Start where you’re most excited, revisit tutorials as often as you like, and let your sewing journey unfold on your terms.
I'm so busy!! Should I wait until I have more time...
If you’re busy, this course is designed for you. Instead of wasting hours on unfinished projects or garments you never wear, you’ll learn how to make clothes you love—without adding more to your plate.
You’ll spend less time sewing and more time enjoying the results: a wardrobe that fits your body, your style, and your life.
Am I too beginner?
If you’ve made at least five garments, you’re ready for this course. While it’s not a beginner sewing course, I’ll teach fitting and pattern cutting from scratch, so no prior experience in those areas is needed.
Unsure if you’re ready? Reach out, and we’ll talk it through together.
Am I too advanced?
If you’re already an advanced sewist, this course isn’t about starting from scratch—it’s about levelling up. You’ll refine your skills, deepen your creative process, and explore new methods that reignite your love for sewing.
This isn’t just a course; it’s an invitation to master the art of garment-making in a way that feels fresh, inspiring, and uniquely yours.
Do I have to give up commercial sewing patterns?
Not at all! In fact, learning how to draft your own patterns gives you the tools to tweak commercial patterns with ease, so they fit you perfectly from the start. You'll gain more control, not less.
Is it on Facebook? I'm not sure about online learning?
The course itself is hosted on my website, not on Facebook. However, our private support and community group is on Facebook. If you don’t use Facebook, you’re welcome to email me directly for support.
Learning online gives you access to everything you need, laid out clearly and step-by-step.
You can revisit the content as often as you like, work at your own pace, and follow along from the comfort of your home.
What about sizing?
This course is designed for every size and shape. The blocks provided cover a standard size range, and if you fall outside that range, I’ll create a custom set tailored just for you—because no two bodies are the same, and your wardrobe should celebrate that.
Throughout the course, you’ll learn the artistry of custom fitting, transforming each pattern into a garment that flatters your unique silhouette. From precise adjustments to expert techniques, you’ll gain the confidence to craft clothes that honour your body and showcase your creativity.
This isn’t about making do with what’s available—it’s about creating something truly yours.
No more questions. I'm in.
Yes, I’m ready to create clothes I love. Let’s get started!
Let's do this!
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