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DCM Dressmaking Workshop

Difficulty:

Are you passionate about sewing but find yourself hitting a wall when it comes to achieving that perfect, professional fit? Many sewists, even those with years of experience, share the frustration of wrestling with commercial patterns – endless alterations, confusing instructions, and results that just don’t match the vision in their head. You might feel limited by standard sizing that doesn’t reflect your unique body shape, or perhaps you dream of creating garments inspired by high fashion but feel stuck relying on pre-made patterns that never quite capture the look you desire. If you’ve ever felt like your sewing journey isn’t progressing as you’d hoped, know that you’re not alone, and there’s a transformative approach that can unlock your true potential.

In this workshop series, I introduce you to my revolutionary Direct Construction Method (DCM). This technique bypasses the common pitfalls of traditional pattern usage by teaching you how to construct garments directly on the dress form.

Forget hours spent hunting for the right pattern or decoding complex fitting adjustments. DCM puts you in complete control, empowering you to create beautifully fitting dresses for any body shape and size, capturing intricate details and achieving a bespoke finish every single time. It’s a pathway to true creative freedom, turning your focus from fixing problems to bringing your unique design ideas to life with confidence and artistry.

Throughout these sessions, you’ll witness the power of DCM firsthand as I demonstrate constructing a complex, Alexander McQueen dress from start to finish – first on a standard size form, and then meticulously adapting it for a unique, curvy figure to prove that a perfect fit is possible for everyone. Finally, I’ll even show you how this method extends beyond replication, guiding you through the process of deconstructing a design and creating your very own original, high-fashion look directly through draping.

This workshop is your invitation to step into a new reality of dressmaking, one defined by skill, fulfillment, and the joy of creating clothes you absolutely love.

LESSONS

DCM Workshop Dresses Preparation PDFs

Session 1 Muslin Preparation PDF

Session 2 Muslin Preparation PDF

Session 3 Muslin Preparation PDF

DCM Workshop Dresses Sewing Order PDF

Course Sessions

Lesson 1

DCM Dressmaking Workshop Session 1

In this session, I introduce my Direct Construction Method (DCM) as a path to freedom and creativity, showing you exactly how I use it to construct a beautiful, complex designer dress directly on the form. We'll be remaking this $2500 Alexander McQueen dress.

26 mins

Lesson 2

DCM Dressmaking Workshop Session 2

In this session, I tackle the challenge of fitting unique, curvy figures, something commercial patterns often fail at. Watch as I reconstruct the Alexander McQueen dress from Session 1, this time on a size 16/20 form with a DD cup, demonstrating how my Direct Construction Method (DCM) ensures a beautiful, flattering fit for every body shape.

28 mins

Lesson 3

DCM Dressmaking Workshop Session 3

Ready to move beyond replicating and start creating? In this session, I introduce my Direct Design Method, showing you how to deconstruct an existing design (like our McQueen dress) and transform it into your own original, high-fashion look by playing with elements like darts and skirt shapes – all without needing to sketch!

22 mins

Bonus Sessions

Lesson 4

DCM Workshop Session 1 - Draping (Long Version)

In this expanded lesson, I go into much greater detail about creating the Alexander McQueen-inspired dress with curved panels. I demonstrate precise techniques for achieving the perfect fit while working with complex curved seams that flow around the body's contours.

1 hr 22 mins

Lesson 5

How to Do Easy Padding on Your Dress Form

This lesson shows a quicker way to pad a dress form to your specific body measurements and shape, rather than the more detailed removable padding method. It involves using semi-circular batting layers, breast cups, rolled gauze for smoothing, and tight jersey covers to achieve the desired bust, waist, hip, and back curvature.

Course Extras

Lesson 6

The Required Tools for Draping and Patternmaking

Essential tools needed for draping and pattern making. We discuss the importance of having the right equipment, such as a sewing machine, dress form, muslin fabric, pattern paper, pins, measuring tools, and other accessories.

Lesson 7

What’s the Difference Between Professional and Adjustable Dress Forms?

This lesson provides an introduction to professional dress forms, explaining their features, sizing, and the process of customizing them to match an individual's body measurements. It covers the different types of dress forms available, how to select the appropriate size, and the two methods for padding and adjusting the dress form to create a personalized body double.

Lesson 8

How to Choose the Correct Size Dress Form to Buy for Yourself

In this lesson, I give advice on selecting the appropriate dress form size when purchasing one for sewing and dressmaking purposes. I emphasize the importance of considering the actual measurements rather than relying solely on the size number, as dress form sizing can differ significantly from standard clothing sizes.

Lesson 9

How to Properly Pin On Your Dress Form

In this lesson I teach the proper technique for pinning fabric during draping and sewing. I emphasize the importance of pinning close to the seamlines and at an angle, ensuring the pins are secure and the fabric doesn’t shift.

Lesson 10

How to Tape Your Adjustable and Easy-Padded Dress Form

How to properly mark the seam lines and reference points on an adjustable dress form to prepare it for draping and pattern making. I cover identifying and marking the center front, center back, side seams, shoulder lines, bust line, waist line, and armhole, ensuring that the lines are balanced and aligned correctly.

Lesson 11

How to Close the Gaps on Your Adjustable Dress Form

How to properly prepare an adjustable dress form for draping and patternmaking. I show the steps to close gaps, cover the form with batting and stretchy gauze, and address potential fitting issues caused by the dress form's shape not matching the body perfectly.

Lesson 12

How to Cover Adjustable or Unpinnable Dress Forms and Get Ready For Draping

How to properly cover a dress form to prepare for draping, especially for those without a professional dress form. I recommend using a stretchy, self-adhesive gauze to wrap around the dress form, covering any gaps or irregularities, and then pinning or taping it in place to create a smooth surface for draping.

Live Q&As & Demonstration Sessions Replays

Draping Techniques & Dress Form Adjustments for Custom Fitting

Live Session: February 4th

In this session, I answered numerous questions about draping techniques and dress form customization to achieve proper fitting. I demonstrated how to adjust dress forms for different body types, explained essential draping principles, and shared professional insights about fabric selection and construction methods for successful draping projects.

Circle Skirt Draping: Understanding Grain Lines and Pattern Creation

Live Session: February 9th

In this session, I demonstrated how to create a circle skirt pattern with a focus on proper grain line placement. I showed step-by-step how to measure, cut, and drape a circle skirt that flows beautifully with the body's curves while addressing common questions about straight grain placement on curved forms.

Draping Techniques: Art, Expression & Creativity in Fabric

Live Session: February 10th

In this session, I shared both my personal journey with overcoming perfectionism and camera fears while teaching the fundamentals of draping versus pattern drafting. I emphasized how directly working with fabric on a dress form creates a unique synergy between designer and material, transforming technical craft into true artistic expression.

Draping Side Skirt with Creative Fold Techniques

Live Session: February 17th

In this session, I demonstrated how to create the tulip-shaped side skirt for our third dress project. I showed how to work with fabric on both straight grain and bias, creating different pleat arrangements to achieve various silhouettes - from sporty short versions to elegant longer styles.

Dress Form Padding and Customization: Creating Your Body Double

Live Session: August 30th

In this session, I demonstrated different techniques for customizing dress forms to match your unique body shape and measurements. I focused on how to pad and reshape both professional dress forms and adjustable display forms to create your perfect body double for more accurate draping and fitting.

From Paper to Form - Creating Full & Half Circle Skirts

Live Session: September 3rd

In this session, I explored various circle skirt techniques for the Alexander McQueen-inspired dress from the first tutorial. I demonstrated how to calculate and cut both half and full circle skirts without complex math, focusing on practical measurements and fabric considerations for better draping results.

Draping for All Bodies: Understanding Fashion Industry Design & Fit

Live Session: September 7th

In this Q&A session, I answered questions about adapting draping techniques for different body types and fabric choices. I discussed how professional draping allows you to see design changes in real time, explaining why this is such a powerful method for creating perfectly fitted garments for your unique shape.

Tulip Skirt Techniques: Creating Sculptural Fabric Drapes

Live Session: September 11th

In this session, I shared detailed demonstrations for creating beautiful tulip-shaped side skirts with both straight and bias grain fabrics. I showed how strategic pleating can transform a simple rectangular piece of fabric into a three-dimensional sculptural element that can dramatically change a garment's silhouette.

DCM Workshop Final Q&A: Reflection and Masterclass Preview

Live Session: September 17th

In our final DCM workshop Q&A session, I had the opportunity to connect with everyone from around the world to wrap up our journey together. I addressed your questions about the Alexander McQueen-inspired dress project, fabric choices, finishing techniques, and next steps. We also welcomed Paula from our previous masterclass who shared her transformative experience and the incredible supportive community we've built together.