Delightfully Extra

Pattern Drafting for Garments That Make a Statement

Something Rae Hoekstra said strummed a new chord in me! In preparation for a presentation to the American Sewing Guild on my takeaways from my live show Break the Rules of Sewing, I re-listened to the shows and Rae’s statement jumped out at me.

She said (in response to how do you add magic to what you sew), and I quote,"I love the idea of like taking up more space and being bigger and bolder. And so, yeah, a lot of times it will be things like sewing with fluorescent pink linen or putting a giant ruffle on something.”.

That sentiment delights me and captures some of the elements on the 3rd, and final, altered dress design in With Ease 2 (starts March 1st!).

For the final design I wanted something that was a bit EXTRA.

You know, something that says I am comfortable in my skin and I find life to be delightful, and that’s equal parts playful and sensual.

A dress to wear to catch a show in town, the big town, or to watch live music at the park while the sun sets, sitting on a blanket with a wine glass in hand and linen napkin draped over your lap. A dress full of romance and style.

A dramatic, swash-buckling sleeve, but three-quarter length so it doesn’t drag in my dishwater. Because even romantics have dishes to do.

With a jaunty little peplum at the hem of a slim and figure cupping skirt. A skirt that has one of my favorite pockets…cutaway pockets with a design line that adds so much interest to the waist and a pocket stay that keeps the pockets in place.

And atop the lightly gathered bodice, a deep v-shaped yoke with three little buttons.

A Date-night dress.

And to be clear, a romantic date-night dress does not in fact require a romantic date…it only requires a desire to experience the world as magical and delightful! And I’m here for that.

And the beauty of this 3-month-long workshop is that you get to create your own adventure…not sure you want a figure hugging skirt? This design would look equally as adorable with an a-line or gathered skirt and I can help you with that. In fact, it’s what I love to do. Help you create the garments you dream of.

And this workshop will give you skills to take not only a basic pattern or block, but any pattern, and alter it into what you dream of.

Each design is meant to show a new skill, and you can easily follow along with each garment as laid out, or change it up and only do one or two things at a time, but really what this workshop will show you is how do-able pattern drafting can be.

You will leave the workshop with a new understanding on how patterns are made and how you can make them your own.

And we’ll have so much fun!

Each class (there are 8 of them) is held live because I love the interaction and the energy that comes from live classes, but there are replays which you’ll have access to for the life of the program and you can always reach out to me for help..anytime.

What are you waiting for? Get in here!