An all-day pattern cutting course, focusing on the fitted dress, bodice and skirt . Taught by MaryRose McGrath in her Belfast design studio.

BEGINNER PATTERN CUTTING MASTERCLASS: WOMENSWEAR

Learn to Draft Dress, Bodice & Skirt Blocks

Step into an inspirational fashion design studio and learn how to move beyond the limitations of commercial sewing patterns. This one-day masterclass will introduce you to the foundations of womenswear pattern cutting, and is taught by an industry professional with three decades experience in fashion design, pattern cutting and garment construction.

You'll be guided through drafting a fitted dress block, bodice, and skirt block—using accurate body measurements and techniques taught in fashion degree programmes. Ideal for dressmakers and fashion students , this course is your starting point for creating patterns that fit beautifully and reflect your own design ideas.

About Your Tutor

This masterclass is taught by MaryRose McGrath, a womenswear designer who has created best selling collections for leading UK high street brands including M&S, Debenhams, House of Fraser & Oasis. After working in the London fashion industry for over a decade, she returned to Belfast to establish her own studio, where she now designs couture bridal gowns, chic womenswear and luxury communion dresses. MaryRose has also taught fashion design at degree level and brings that same clarity, precision, and industry insight to her studio courses. This is a rare opportunity to learn professional pattern cutting in a creative and expertly guided fashion studio setting.

What Will I Learn in This Course?

This full-day course focuses on the foundations of pattern cutting, with a deep dive into creating the fitted dress block, bodice block, and skirt block. You'll learn how to take professional body measurements, how to understand a womenswear size chart, and how to use measurements to draft accurate, flat paper patterns.

Forget trawling through commercial pattern books—this course gives you the technical skills to start creating your own designs, just as it’s taught in the fashion industry.

You will be taught how to:

Take accurate body measurements: Learn the professional method of measuring the body, including posture and stance considerations.

Draft blocks from scratch — Understand how to apply basic measurements to create flat patterns, using simple tools and clear step-by-step processes. No need to worry if you’re not confident with maths, everything is explained in an easy to understand way.

Construct the bodice, dress, and skirt blocks — Using paper, pencil, and ruler, you’ll follow degree-level techniques taught in fashion design courses.

Add shaping through darts — Discover how to apply suppression for a fitted shape, and why dart size and placement varies by body type.

Add seam allowances — Learn which seam allowances to add, why they matter, and how they differ depending on garment style and construction.

Create a toile — Understand how to construct a calico toile to test the fit and structure of your block patterns—an essential step used in professional design studios before garment production.

Who Is This Course Suitable For?

This course is ideal for those who have experience in using commercial sewing patterns and are ready to explore the art of pattern drafting and gain a deeper understanding of womenswear sizing.

It’s an excellent foundation for dressmakers, fashion students, aspiring designers, and costume makers looking to strengthen their technical pattern-cutting skills using industry-standard methods.

Location

The course takes place in MaryRose’s design studio in Conway Mill.

Address: Conway Mill, 5–7 Conway Street, Belfast BT13 2DE

What’s Included:

6 hours of expert, in-depth pattern-cutting tuition

Use of all necessary pattern-cutting tools and equipment provided in the studio

Your completed blocks to take home

A set of technical handouts to support your learning and refer back to after the course

Do I Need to Bring a Sewing Machine?

No sewing machine is needed for this course, as it focuses entirely on pattern drafting. All work is done using paper, measurements, and drafting tools.

Age Requirement

Students must be 18 years or over to attend this course.

What do I Bring to class?

Please bring a notebook, a pen, and your reading glasses if you use them. All pattern paper, measuring tools, and technical equipment will be provided for you in the studio.

Course Fee

The full-day course is £125 per student.

How to Book

You can book your place in this course in one of two ways:

1. Through Eventbrite - Book online via Eventbrite using PayPal. Online booking fee applies.

2. Book Directly with the Studio (No booking fee)

Please email info@maryrosemcgrath.com, and we will be in touch to book your space.

Where to meet on the day:

The studio is closed before class starts.

MaryRose will collect all students from Conway Mill reception on the ground floor at 9.30 am and will take you to the st

Description supplied by the event organiser.