pattern cutting WORKSHOPS IN FALMOUTH, CORNWALL

I gained an appreciation of pattern engineering and a better understanding of the subtleties of fit. Lovely hearing Helen’s experiences and dipping into her knowledge. Thank you, it was worth the journey from Devon.

Jacqui - Make a dress block

I recently had a fantastic day pattern cutting with Helen after my husband kindly bought me a voucher for Christmas. I had had the benefit of Helen's experience before when we made a bodice block and my project this time was to make a summer dress based on a Tudor kirtle. Helen spent a lot of time beforehand researching the styles and seemingly endless possibilities of the look and function of the dress after I sent her some photos of the kind of design I had in mind. Helen has an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience to draw on and talked me through the stages of how to move and remove darts and incorporate Princess seams instead and how to drop the sleeves to make the garment more historically correct. I learned so much and am busy finishing my toile ready for a further fitting session with Helen and more advice regarding the lining and lacing. Helen is very friendly and approachable and ensures that you are understanding the various steps and the whole process as you go along. I would definitely recommend Helen's classes to anyone from the first time sewist to those who have been sewing for a while and want to challenge themselves further in their projects.

Sandy - Pattern cutting 1-1

I had the best time with you on this course, thank you so much!! I learnt so much about patterns and garment construction, and also just had an overall nice time chatting about sewing, thank you so much! I will definitely be booking onto another course soon!

Chloe Crimmen - Trace a pattern workshop

This was my second course with Helen, consisting of four 3 hour sessions creating a personalised clothes block. It was great fun working with other enthusiastic sewers and I ended up with exactly what I had hoped for: a pattern from which I can create a host of new projects. I also learned that I needed to up my game and be a more accurate seamstress - all brilliant lessons! I would recommend this course as a foundation for anyone interested in creating their own sewing patterns.

Leonora Nattrass - Make a dress block

Really enjoyable four week class creating a pattern block. Helen is super helpful and explains everything in a very easy to understand way. I am delighted with the final toile produced from my block and can’t wait to join Helen for another course soon.

Jo - Make a dress block

I've done a 'shared course' and some one to one sessions with Helen at Dot and Cross. Really improved my understanding of how dressmaking happens. It is a technical subject, but so important. The knowledge I gained has had a great effect on the fit and style of my hand-made clothes. I've been able to alter commercial patterns, to measure myself and interpret those measurements to my dressmaking. Excellent teaching, and 'team work' Helen teaches, listens, explains and discusses options in a lovely way. I wanted/needed to improve to prevent frustrating waste. Excellent. Worth it and so so satisfying. Lovely garden studio room. To be recommended.

Deborah Richards - Pattern Cutting 1-1

The Full Bust Adjustment Course was a birthday gift for my wife Clare. She arrived home from the course bubbling with excitement and enthusing about the course content, the teaching, everything.
Friendly and engaging, Helen is clearly knowledgable and has a great teaching method.
Highly recommended.

Clare- Full Bust Adjustment, 1-1 class

I attended the 1-1 garment mending workshop. It was absolutely excellent. I learnt multiple mending techniques and we even shortened some trousers that were too long for me and reused the "harvested" fabric to mend some other pieces. My favourite was learning about (and trying) the Japanese mending style, Sashiko. Will definitely be using this technique in the near future, it's very pretty. I was very impressed with the class and intend to book more. Helen is great and super friendly. The studio is cool.

Lisa G- How to repair your clothes, 1-1 class

I have been wanting to learn to sew from a pattern for ages and even have had a pattern for a beautiful jacket tucked away in a draw. The problem was every time I got it out it looked so confusing I didn’t know where to start.

Luckily I found Dot n Cross and booked a (very affordable) private 6 hour sewing lesson. After spending the day with Helen yesterday I feel so much more confident!! We worked on the pattern for my jacket. She broke everything down and made it all feel super clear and simple. I am now feeling very inspired and excited about my sewing future! I never expected to get so much out of a one day class.. and now feel as if as long as I break it all down into the simple steps and techniques she taught me the sewing world is my oyster!!

Annie Attwell - 1-1 Sewing Lesson