My 'Coco' dressmaking workshop at Guthrie & Ghani...

    

                                

         

                                  

So yesterday, I went to the lovely Guthrie and Ghani in Moseley on a dressmaking workshop which my husband kindly bought for me as a Christmas present.

I decided to go on a workshop so I could understand why and how things were done because I've previously only made a few dresses for my daughter, without a pattern. As my New Years resolution was to make more clothes for myself, I wanted a helping hand making my first adult sized garment.

I chose the Tilly and the buttons Coco pattern because there were no zips or button closures, and I think the style is a really flattering shape, although I was a little nervous sewing with Jersey.

                                

The tutor, Claire was very knowledgable and was always on hand if we got into difficulties. 

So firstly, it's was time to find out my dreaded measurements, I measured around my bust, waist and hips. I was a straight size 4, so no grading! Happy days! Then it was time to do the tedious job of cutting out the patterns, which as it was the first time I'd used a pattern, this took me a while as I wanted to be as accurate as possible, once that was done, we laid the pattern onto the fabric and cut around it, I found this pretty nerve wracking too because I did not want to make any mistakes! But it went smoothly with no problems and I had a shape that was resembling a Coco dress! Yay! 

                                   

 Sewing Coco was pretty straightforward, I onlŷ had to use my seam ripper twice and that was when I was inserting the arms which was the trickiest part. Once I'd seen the dress and all that was left to do was the hem, I tried Coco on, the fit was good but was a bit long for me, so I decided I wanted to turn it up by 3 inches. So, I pinned it and proceeded to zig zag all the way around the hem, that was fine, no issues at all, until I had to cut away the exess fabric, I was just about to take the last snip when to my horror, I cut a hole in the dress just above the hem!!! I was devastated! I'd spent six whole hours sewing this dress, and right before I finished, I'd put a hole in it, I felt like crying actual tears 😭😭

I was going to take a picture of the damage I'd done but I was too upset. 

Claire, the tutor saw how upset I was and suggested overlocking the hem to cover the hole, and then I could turn it up when I got home, so that's what I did. It's slightly shorter now than I'd planned but it's fine with a pair of thick leggings underneath.

I had no real issues with the construction of the dress itself, it was straightforward, which makes the mistake I did make all the more frustrating! At least I know I'll never ever do that again, I will be much more cautious and concentrate better next time! 

I now plan on making a few more cocos, definatley a stripe one, and a funnel neck version so I can practise getting my stitching neater, as its far from perfect! 

                                 

                                 

 Please excuse the photos, I'm not one for taking a selfie, and this was the best I could do! 

   

Another thing I wanted to talk about was the sewing machines they have there! OMG they're amazing, the needle threads itself! and there's a scissor button and the machine cuts the thread for you! Ah-mazing! And oh so quiet! 

I have a very beginner-y Toyota sewing machine, which is manual and very noisy! I find it hard to find time to sew, as I'd usually to it when the kids are in bed but I can't with this one, because it sounds like a pneumatic drill! I think I know what I'd like for my birthday..... 

So next on my list of makes is another coco, and then on to the bettine, but I won't be going on a workshop for that one, so not sure how I'll do with that....