Description
If you’ve been wanting to make a dress but would love some expert guidance along the way, this workshop is for you.
Thursday 2nd April 9.30am - 4.30pm
Our Sew A Day Dress workshop is designed to give you the freedom to choose your own style. Simply bring along your chosen day dress pattern, and you’ll be supported through the key stages of dressmaking as you create a garment that reflects your taste and vision.
You might choose a sundress, a wrap dress, or a classic fit-and-flare style. Perhaps you prefer something sleeveless for summer, a neat short sleeve, or a longer sleeve for everyday wear. You may love a straight skirt, or feel more yourself in something with a little more fullness. Everyone’s taste is different — and that’s exactly why this workshop is structured around you bringing the pattern you truly want to make.
Your tutor, Emma Smith, is a highly experienced and patient sewing teacher, known for her calm and reassuring approach. Throughout the day, she’ll guide you through cutting out, fitting and essential construction techniques, helping you understand your pattern and achieve a lovely fit.
Most participants complete their dress during the workshop, particularly when working with a relatively simple design. As everyone works at their own pace, occasionally a few final steps may be finished at home — but you’ll leave with clear guidance and the confidence to do so with ease. Please be aware that a pattern with more pattern pieces or one that requires lots of gathering, buttonholes etc, will take a little longer*
By the end of the day, you’ll not only have made beautiful progress on your dress, but gained skills and understanding that will support all your future dressmaking projects.
Your tutor: Emma Smith
The workshop is led by Emma Smith, a highly experienced dressmaker and tutor who teaches at a number of sewing schools across the UK. Calm, knowledgeable, warm, and kind, Emma goes above and beyond to support her students, offering guidance and encouragement throughout the workshop to help you progress, overcome challenges, and get the best results from your project.
Whether you’re a confident beginner or a more experienced dressmaker, this workshop is suitable for a wide range of abilities. As long as you’re comfortable using a sewing machine and have some dressmaking experience, you’ll be supported with guidance that suits your project, your skill level and the areas you’d like to develop.
You’ll be supported whether you’re problem-solving, learning new techniques, refining fit, or simply looking to elevate your sewing to a more polished, professional finish.
✨ Workshop details:
• A full 7-hour sewing workshop
• Use of Janome 5060 QDC sewing machines
• Use of brand new Janome ML654D overlockers
• Oliso irons and ironing boards
• Small group size of 5–6 people, ensuring plenty of individual attention
• Suitable for all abilities, provided you’re confident using a sewing machine
Lunch break
There will be a ½-hour break for lunch, giving you time to recharge before heading back to the machines. You’re very welcome to bring a packed lunch — there is a fridge available at the studio to keep your food fresh. Alternatively, Ashby has lots of cafés and food shops nearby if you’d prefer to pop out for something to eat or grab a takeaway during the break.
Refreshments
Tea, coffee and biscuits/cake are provided throughout the day — sewing is always smoother with refreshments to hand.
What to bring
• Your sewing kit
• Your own dressmaking project
Fabric, patterns, haberdashery, notions etc are available in the shop.
You may also wish to bring a water bottle and lunch.
The studio & location
The Sewing Studio is located within The Fabric Boutique…
📍 5 Rushtons Yard, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, LE65 1AL
The studio is up a flight of stairs. During the workshop, you’re welcome to pop into the shop to purchase any fabric, haberdashery or notions you may need — IF YOU ARE ATTENDING A WORKSHOP AND SPEND OVER £25 IN THE SHOP ON THE DATE OF YOUR WORKSHOP, YOU GET 10% OFF YOUR PURCHASE.
Parking
Please note that the car park next to The Fabric Boutique in Rushtons Yard is a maximum stay of only 3 hours, which is not sufficient for the full workshop. For a full-day session, we recommend using the long-stay car park on South Street, a short walk from the shop (charges apply).
Arrival & booking
Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the workshop start time so we can begin promptly.
Pre-booking is essential as places are limited. Bookings can be made via the website or in-store. Unfortunately, places cannot be reserved without payment.
Terms & conditions
By booking a place on a Sewing Studio workshop, you agree to the following:
• Places are reserved once payment has been made
• Payment is required in full at the time of booking
• Fabric Boutique gift cards may be used in part or full payment for workshops
• Bookings are subject to the cancellation policy
• Workshops require a minimum of 3 bookings to run
• Workshops are for individuals aged 18 and over
Cancellation & refund policy
• If the workshop is cancelled by The Fabric Boutique due to unforeseen circumstances or insufficient numbers, a full refund will be issued
• If you cancel 14 days or more before the workshop date, a full refund will be given or payment may be transferred to another date (subject to availability)
• Unfortunately, cancellations made less than 14 days before the workshop are non-refundable
• Eligible refunds will be issued immediately; please allow up to one week for funds to return to your account