Continue your love for fashion!

This 4-day course will provide a practical guide to constructing a bodice/top with a sewing machine. This is a step up from the Level 2 course as the construction becomes more technical. Students will begin with the basics and learn about major styles, materials to measurements. As the course progresses, students will practice how to make different necklines and darts and finally construct their final bodice/top using calico fabric.

Students must have completed Fashion Design: Level 1 and Fashion Design: Level 2 to attend this course.

Course Outline:

• Bodice and top prototypes:
  • Major styles with the bodice, top
  • Activity: research bodice, top–download styles
  • Bodice, top technical drawings
  • Typical materials used for bodice/top design
• Standard body measurements:
  • Activity: mannequin measurement activity
  • Understanding necklines on bodices, tops
  • Dart manipulation
  • Dart activity with card and sewing machine
  • Major sleeve types and visual examples
• Create a working design visual for a bodice/top:
  • Estimate the cost and time required to make a bodice, top
  • Fabric preparation for pattern cutting
  • Calico fabric for sample pieces
• Develop a statement of intent:
  • Produce a range of samples specific to a chosen design
  • Introduction to pattern making: scale size ¼
  • Measurements and pattern cutting
  • Making a pattern from cardboard
• Construct bodice, and top using machine stitching to a selected design:
  • Finish and final fitting for the bodice, top
  • Present the bodice, and top following a design specification
  • Produce a cost sheet
  • Produce production timescales
  • Evaluate the completed bodice, top