Clothkits Sewing Bee - The Made to Measure Workshop | Half Day | Chichester Sewing Courses

Inspired by The Great British Sewing Bee, our Clothkits Sewing Bee Challenges are designed to build your dressmaking knowledge, confidence and know-how – without the pressure of a competition!

On The Great British Sewing Bee, the Made to Measure Challenge is often the decider for Garment of the Week. It tests not only the contestants' sewing skills, but their ability to create a garment that actually fits – a pretty important outcome after all the time, effort, money and emotional investment that goes into making your own clothes!

Our Made to Measure Challenge is all about helping you understand how to achieve a better fit. Because however carefully you choose your pattern size, very few of us conform perfectly to the standard proportions used to create dressmaking patterns – we're all wonderfully different shapes.

During this three-hour workshop, you'll learn how to recognise your own individual proportions, identify where fit adjustments may be needed and develop a process you can use when approaching future dressmaking projects.

What you’ll learn

• How to measure yourself accurately and use those measurements to select the best starting pattern size
• How to identify your individual body characteristics and understand how they can affect the fit of a garment
• How to use tissue fitting to make an initial assessment of the fit of your chosen pattern
• How to identify and map the fit adjustments you may need onto your pattern
• How to establish a fitting process that you can apply to future sewing patterns

There won't be time during this workshop to cover the exact alteration method for every individual fit issue. Instead, the focus is on helping you identify what needs adjusting and why. Jo will then be able to signpost you towards suitable workshops, books and online resources where you can learn the relevant alteration techniques in more detail.

Is this class for you? This workshop is best suited to sewists who have already made a few garments from sewing patterns and would like to understand why things don't always fit quite as expected. Curious beginners who would like to start developing their fitting knowledge are very welcome too.

A little note about fitting: This is a small workshop with a maximum of six people, creating a friendly and supportive environment in which we promote and encourage body positivity. As the session involves taking measurements, discussing individual body shape and assessing fit, you will need to feel comfortable doing this within a small group setting.

What to bring: A notebook and pen or pencil, plus a couple of garments and/or sewing patterns you've made where you weren't happy with the fit.

Please wear suitable clothing for measuring and tissue fitting. A vest top with your usual bra is ideal, as different bras can affect garment fit and measurements. Dresses aren't usually a practical choice for this workshop.

Please note: This workshop focuses on understanding and identifying fit issues rather than teaching the individual pattern alteration techniques required to correct them. Please see our other fitting and pattern alteration workshops for these skills.

About your Teacher: Jo gained her experience in the fashion industry as a designer/pattern cutter in ladies' outerwear. She has taught adults sewing and pattern cutting skills for over a decade, from absolute beginners sewing to bra making, simple pattern alterations to fitting masterclasses. Jo is an inspiring teacher and encourages creativity and confidence in dressmaking and sewing projects.

Course Duration: 3 Hours

When: Saturday 24th October 2026 - 10am - 1pm

About the Clothkits Sewing Bee Challenges: We've created four different three-hour challenges inspired by The Great British Sewing Bee. Take them individually or work your way through the whole series:

1. The Pattern Challenge
2. The Fabric Challenge
3. The Alteration/Transformation Challenge
4. The Made to Measure Challenge

They may be challenges, but they're definitely not a competition – there are no prizes and everyone's a winner!

Venue: The workshop is held in our modern and vibrant studio at the Clothkits shop. We are located in central Chichester, about a 10 minute walk from the train and bus station. The closest car park is The Cattle Market.