Beginner plus - MAKE A TOP
GROUP WORKSHOP PRICE: £110
GROUP WORKSHOP LOCATION: Art Centre Penryn
SESSIONS: 1
DATE: Saturday 4th October 2025
TIME: 10am – 4pm with 1 hour for lunch
MAXIMUM PARTICPANTS: 6
LEVEL: Beginner Plus
PATTERN SIZES: All in 8-18 OR 20-28 – please let us know at time of booking which size bracket you’d like. If you need help with this, send an email to hello@dotncross.com with your bust, waist and hip measurements in cms.
HOW TO BOOK: Bookings through Art Centre Penryn.
Please let us know at time of booking which pattern you’d like to make and size.
TELL ME MORE
In this class you will learn how to make a beginner friendly dress. We have two patterns to choose from. They are both from Merchant and Mills in size ranges 8-18, please let us know your choice of pattern and your sizing when you book so we source the correct patterns and sizes.
Sidney is an oversized boxy sweatshirt with a loose crew neck and finger skimming sleeves, with ribbing at the neck and cuffs.
Please see more photos on the Merchant and Mills website to see the oversized fit on more body types.
A simple top with tapered A-line silhouette and short fitted sleeves for an easy-wear classic. (This can also be made as a dress)
TECHNIQUES YOU WILL LEARN
Learn how to use a pattern
Check which size to make
How to prepare and lay the fabric
How to cut correctly
Sewing techniques
Learn to finish seam allowance with zig zag
Learn to follow instruction booklet in pattern.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The pattern (worth £18.50), which you can take home and use again
Use of all our equipment including sewing machines
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Fabrics and notions are not included in the price, see images with size chart on the Merchant and Mills website for what you need, depending on the pattern you choose. If you need any help with this, please email Helen: hello@dotncross.com
Please bring plain block colour fabric, not stripes or checks, as we wont have time to ‘pattern match’ when cutting out in the lesson.
It’s a good idea to have pre-washed your fabric so that you know the shrinking is done before you sew a garment. Wash the fabric on the temperature you normally wash your clothes, or a bit higher.
Fabric suggestions:
Linen, linen blends, tencel, tencel/linen, denim, cotton chambray, indian handweaves, fine wool.
Please have a look on the Merchant and Mills website for their suggestions and to also view more photos of garments made up in different fabrics.
The Sidney top will require ribbing.
Fabric quantities:
See size charts in the images.
If you need any help with this, please email Helen: hello@dotncross.com, stating which pattern you wish to make and which option on the pattern (sleeves length etc).
Equipment:
Your own sewing machine if you would like to bring it, however we do provide sewing machines. If you are bringing your machine, ensure you bring the foot pedal and the various presser feet that came with the machine and the manual if you have it.
A basic sewing kit if you have it, including pins, scissors, tape measure etc. This is not essential as we have equipment you can borrow.
WHO IS THIS workshop SUITABLE FOR?
This class is suitable for confident beginners. Ideally you will have done our ‘Introduction to Machine Sewing’ workshop, but this is not essential. You should know how to thread up a machine and sew basic seams. We will be going through how to use a sewing pattern, and the basics of dress making, such as how to sew following a seam allowance and how to finish off seams. It is also suitable for those who have tackled a few sewing projects at home, but want to improve their dressmaking skills and start to understand dress making patterns.
Please note that we may not entirely finish the garment in one day.
ABOUT YOUR TEACHER
Helen Shine is a skilled pattern cutter with over 12 years of experience in London’s high-end fashion industry, working with renowned designers like Victoria Beckham, Mary Katrantzou, and Karen Millen.
In 2019, she launched ‘Dot n Cross’, offering hands-on pattern cutting and sewing workshops. Helen is passionate about empowering others to create their own clothes, whether they are aspiring professionals or enthusiastic home sewers, by sharing her industry knowledge and love of the craft.
WORKSHOP LOCATION
This workshop is held at Art Centre Penryn, in the Art Room which is located in the School Room building.
Art Centre Penryn is a newly refurbished art space in the former Penryn Methodist Church in the heart of Penryn. The art room will support creativity for health and well-being and offer a range of courses, skills training and other opportunities for the benefit of local people. The vision is to convert the former church into an accessible, welcoming and high-quality contemporary art gallery showcasing work by local, national and international artists.
The class room/accessibility:
My workshops will be held in the Art Room.
Click here to be taken to their accessibility page.
Unfortunately the three steps into the School Room are too steep for a temporary ramp and therefore we apologise that it is not currently wheelchair accessible.
Address:
Art Centre Penryn
The Terrace
Penryn, TR10 8EH
Parking:
Commercial Road Car Park. 3-4 hours £4.70. 24 hours £5.10
Permarin Car Park. 3-4 hours £5.00. 24 hours £6.30
Please note: Saracen Car Park on Saracen Place is only a 3 hour short stay carpark and wont be suitable for my workshops as they will all require more time.
Travel:
By train from Truro and Falmouth
Penryn Train Station, 10 min walk
By bus from Falmouth, Truro, Redruth & Penzance
nearest stop: Penryn Spar / Seven Stars
By bicycle
Bike stands and electric Beryl bikes nearby by the Seven Stars bus stop
TESTIMONIALS
HOW TO BOOK
Bookings are through Art Centre Penryn.
Please let us know at time of booking which pattern you’d like to make and size.
CANCELLATIONS
Art Centre Penryn is a small, non-profit organisation and our courses form a really important part of our income. Our courses are therefore non-refundable, but we offer the following options:
If it is more than 30 days from the course start date, we can offer a voucher worth the same amount for a future course. Within 30 days from the course start date, we cannot offer a voucher, but you could send someone else in your place, just email us to let us know.
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