Pattern to Form: Garment Construction Intensive

Course Description

Course Overview

Understanding how a garment is constructed is one of the most valuable skills a fashion designer or maker can develop.

Behind every well-fitting garment lies a combination of accurate measurements, carefully developed patterns, precise construction and an understanding of how fabric behaves on the body.

This intensive course introduces you to the technical foundations of garment making, combining essential sewing methods with practical pattern cutting, garment assembly and fitting techniques.

You'll begin by developing confidence with domestic sewing machines, learning how to prepare fabric, construct seams and apply different finishing methods.

Through guided exercises, you'll practise the techniques used to create clean and durable garments, before applying your new skills to a small, finished sewing project.

As the programme progresses, you'll explore the principles of flat pattern cutting, learning how body measurements are translated into patterns and how these patterns can be adapted to create garments with a more considered fit.

You'll develop a basic bodice block based on body measurements, prepare your pattern for cutting and construct a garment fitting sample, known as a toile.

Through fitting exercises and technical demonstrations, you'll discover how to evaluate garment proportions, identify common fitting problems and make adjustments to improve the relationship between the pattern and the body.

The programme concludes with an individual technical consultation, offering the opportunity to review your work, discuss fitting corrections and receive personalised advice on developing your construction skills further.

With a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, this course offers an introduction to the relationship between pattern cutting, sewing and garment development.

By the end of the programme, you'll have developed practical sewing samples, completed a small sewn accessory and worked towards a personalised bodice block and fitting toile.

You'll also leave with your own sewing and pattern-cutting starter kit, allowing you to continue practising and developing your skills beyond the course.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is designed for aspiring fashion designers, creative practitioners and sewing enthusiasts interested in developing practical garment construction skills.

It may be particularly suitable if you:

• Are interested in fashion design and want to understand how garments are constructed.
• Have little or no formal sewing education and would like to develop a structured foundation in garment making.
• Are studying fashion or preparing for further creative education and want to strengthen your technical knowledge.
• Have experimented with making or altering clothes and would like to improve your construction methods.
• Want to learn the fundamentals of pattern cutting and understand how patterns relate to body measurements and fit.
• Are interested in developing bespoke clothing or personal sewing projects.
• Would benefit from practical demonstrations, professional technical guidance and individual feedback.

The programme is suitable for motivated beginners and individuals with some previous sewing experience.

Basic familiarity with operating a sewing machine is helpful but not essential.

Key Information

Course Content

The programme introduces the essential stages of garment construction, from sewing and finishing to pattern cutting, assembly and fitting.

Through practical workshops and demonstrations, you'll explore the following areas:

Sewing Fundamentals & Finishing Techniques

Develop confidence working with domestic sewing machines and essential garment-making tools.

Learn fundamental sewing techniques, including constructing seams, finishing raw edges, applying hems and understanding the importance of accurate stitching and pressing.

Explore how fabric type, seam allowances and construction methods influence the quality and durability of a garment.

Apply your new skills through practical sewing exercises and the construction of a small finished accessory.

Body Measurements & Pattern Cutting

Discover how accurate body measurements are used to develop garment patterns.

Learn the foundations of flat pattern drafting, including pattern terminology, measurement calculations, proportion and construction markings.

Explore how a basic bodice block is developed and how it can serve as the foundation for future garment designs.

Pattern Development & Fabric Preparation

Learn how patterns are prepared and adjusted before cutting fabric.

Explore grainlines, pattern placement, seam allowances and construction markings, developing an understanding of how these elements influence garment assembly and fit.

Practise transferring pattern information to fabric and preparing garment components for construction.

Garment Assembly & Construction

Understand how individual pattern pieces are assembled to create a three-dimensional garment.

Using your drafted pattern, explore the construction of a basic bodice toile, applying fundamental techniques for stitching, shaping and joining garment components.

Develop an understanding of garment structure and the relationship between pattern accuracy, construction and the finished form.

Fitting & Garment Adjustments

Explore how garments are assessed on the body and how fitting adjustments can improve their proportions, comfort and appearance.

Learn to recognise common fitting issues and understand how corrections can be transferred from a toile back to the original paper pattern.

Discover how the fitting process contributes to the development of more accurate and individualised garment patterns.

Individual Technical Consultation

Conclude the programme with a dedicated one-to-one consultation.

Review your work, discuss fitting adjustments and receive personalised guidance on improving your technical skills and continuing your garment construction practice.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand the fundamental principles of garment construction using domestic sewing machines.
• Apply essential sewing, seam finishing and hemming techniques.
• Recognise suitable construction methods for basic woven fabrics.
• Take body measurements and understand how they inform pattern development.
• Draft a basic bodice pattern using individual measurements.
• Prepare patterns for cutting and transfer construction markings to fabric.
• Assemble a basic bodice toile using appropriate sewing techniques.
• Identify common fitting issues and understand introductory pattern adjustments.
• Apply fundamental garment construction methods to further personal sewing and design projects.

What You'll Create

This programme is designed around practical learning, allowing you to apply newly acquired techniques to projects that you can take home.

Throughout the course, you'll work towards three main outcomes:

1. A Finished Sewing Project

Develop essential sewing and finishing techniques while constructing a small fabric accessory, such as a drawstring pouch, which you can continue using for your sewing tools and supplies.

2. Your Own Bodice Pattern

Learn to draft a basic front-and-back bodice block based on body measurements.

Your pattern will provide a foundation for further experimentation and future garment development projects.

3. A Bodice Fitting Sample

Use your pattern to construct a basic sleeveless bodice toile and explore how its fit can be evaluated and improved.

You'll learn how fitting observations inform pattern corrections and how the pattern-development process can be repeated to achieve better results.

You'll also take home your sewing samples, pattern development work and personal construction notes.

The course emphasises technical understanding and practical skill development rather than the production of a fully finished ready-to-wear garment.

How You'll Learn

The programme is delivered entirely in person, providing an opportunity to learn through hands-on practice, technical demonstrations and direct guidance.

Teaching combines:

Live Technical Demonstrations

Step-by-step instruction in sewing techniques, pattern cutting, garment assembly and fitting.

Guided Practical Workshops

Hands-on exercises using domestic sewing machines and professional pattern-cutting tools.

Individual Project Development

Apply the techniques introduced during the programme to your own sewing samples, bodice pattern and garment fitting study.

Fitting & Technical Evaluation

Develop an understanding of garment fit through practical observation, evaluation and pattern adjustment.

Personalised One-to-One Guidance

Receive an individual technical consultation on the final day, allowing you to discuss your work, review fitting adjustments and receive recommendations for continued development.

Group sessions take place from Monday to Saturday, between 18:30 and 21:00, followed by scheduled individual consultations on Sunday.

With a maximum of eight participants, the programme provides opportunities for individual attention throughout the practical sessions.

Materials & Equipment

Your BFFI Pattern Cutting Starter Kit

One of the key features of this course is that essential tools and practical workshop materials are included in the fee.

Each participant will receive a take-home sewing and pattern-cutting toolkit, together with course materials and supplies valued at over €100.

Your personal toolkit will include essential items for continuing your sewing and pattern-cutting practice, such as:

• Pattern master ruler
• Fabric scissors
• Measuring tape
• Thread snips
• Seam ripper
• Dressmaking pins and hand-sewing needles
• Tailor's chalk
• Pencil, eraser and drafting accessories
• Pattern storage folder

Fabrics & Workshop Materials

BFFI will also provide the core materials required for the practical exercises, including:

• Pattern drafting paper
• Calico and suitable woven fabrics for sewing projects
• Fabric for the bodice toile
• Sewing threads and essential consumables
• Materials for sewing and finishing samples

Domestic sewing machines will be available for use throughout the practical sessions.

You are welcome to bring your own sewing tools or preferred materials, although purchasing a sewing machine or specialist equipment is not required.

The tools, patterns and completed project work allocated to you are yours to keep, so you can continue developing your technical skills after the course.

A complete materials and preparation guide will be provided before the programme begins.

Entry Requirements

This course is suitable for motivated beginners and participants with some existing sewing or fashion design experience.

No previous formal qualifications are necessary.

You do not need to own a sewing machine or have previous pattern-cutting experience.

As the programme is intensive, students should be prepared to participate actively in practical exercises and continue practising techniques independently where possible.

Please note: The course uses domestic sewing machines and focuses on foundational sewing, pattern cutting and garment construction. It does not include industrial machinery training or comprehensive couture construction.

Meet Your Tutor

Claudi Panaite

Garment Construction, Pattern Cutting & Creative Practice

Claudi Panaite is a London-based multidisciplinary artist and fashion practitioner whose work spans garment construction, bespoke tailoring, costume design and creative direction.

A graduate of Central Saint Martins, Claudi combines technical garment-making expertise with an interdisciplinary approach to fashion and creative practice.

He is the founder of Privé Sampling Studio, where he develops made-to-measure couture for private clients alongside costume and creative projects for stage and screen.

His professional experience includes collaborations and projects associated with Trevor Sorbie London, London Fashion Week and the Folies Bergère in Paris.

Drawing on his experience across fashion, performance and bespoke garment construction, Claudi brings a practical understanding of pattern development, fitting and garment realisation to his teaching.

At the British Fashion Foundation Institute, he introduces students to the relationship between pattern cutting, construction and the body, encouraging a precise, considered approach to garment making through practical studio learning.

Course Fees & Enrolment

Course Fee

€750 per participant

The course fee includes:

• Six evenings of in-person technical instruction
• Individual technical consultation on Sunday
• Use of domestic sewing machines throughout the workshops
• Practical demonstrations and supervised construction exercises
• Personal sewing and pattern-cutting starter kit
• Fabrics, pattern paper and essential workshop materials
• Take-home tools and materials worth over €100
• Individual guidance from Claudi Panaite

Payment Options

To make enrolment more accessible, the course fee can be paid in full or divided into two or three instalments.

Option 1: Full Payment

One payment of €750.

Option 2: Two Instalments

Two equal payments of €375.

Option 3: Three Instalments

Three equal payments of €250.

Important: Regardless of the selected payment option, the entire course fee must be paid no later than 10 calendar days before the course start date.

Payment schedules and instructions will be provided during enrolment.

Upcoming Course Dates

March 2027

The next edition of Pattern to Form: Garment Construction Intensive will take place in February 2027 in Bucharest.

The programme will run over seven consecutive days, with evening workshops from Monday to Saturday and individual consultations on Sunday.

The exact dates and venue will be confirmed ahead of enrolment.

With a maximum of eight participants, places are limited to provide practical guidance and individual attention throughout the programme.

Join our waiting list to receive updates about the confirmed dates, venue and enrolment availability.