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Create Your Own Skirt Block and Muslin

  • Bolt Fabric Boutique 2904 Northeast Alberta Street Portland, OR, 97211 United States (map)

2 Thursdays
February 5th, and 12th

5:00pm–9:00pm
$200
Level 1
Confident Beginner


Have you ever felt frustrated with fitting? Real humans rarely match the standardized blocks used by pattern companies. Drafting your own well fitted basic block not only makes fitting commercial patterns a breeze, it’s also the gateway to creating patterns of your own design! In this class, Briar Haining will guide students through drafting a standard basic block, and provide guidance as they tweak and mold the standard to their own personal body’s shape. 

    • how to thread and use a sewing machine

    • basic sewing vocabulary

    • sewing a straight line and maintaining a seam allowance

    • hemming

    • basic arithmetic

    • accuracy with a ruler and measuring tape

    • Taking measurements of the lower torso, hips, and upper legs 

    • Drafting the basic skirt block front and back using the Helen Joseph Armstrong method

    • Assessing personal skirt fit

    • Troubleshooting techniques

  • You will need

    • Pencils, pens, and erasers

    • Muslin - students will need sufficient muslin to create a garment that extends from their natural waist to just below the knee. Double the yardage suggestions on Simplicity 8652 or similar for your appropriate size to allow for at least 2 drafts.

    • Tailor’s chalk or other temporary methods of marking fabric

    • ¼ “ elastic -sufficient to tie comfortably around the student’s natural waist

    • Thread of any color

    • A zipper to ease repeated fittings

    • Students should bring yoga pants or shorts so that they can be measured comfortably and accurately, and so they can try on their block drafts.

This is a Level 1 confident beginner or higher class. You’ll find more information about our class levels here!

Taught by Briar Haining

Ages 18 and up.

Our classroom is on the second floor and is currently only accessible by stairs. We are working on a solution to make our space accessible to everyone. Thanks for your understanding and patience while we work this out. You may e-mail us at classes@boltfabricboutique.com if you have any questions about this process.

This class requires a minimum of 3 participants. The class may be subject to cancellation if the minimum enrollment is not achieved.