Description
Trouser Fitting Workshop – Pietra Pants by Closet Core
Thursday 23rd July 9.30am – 4.30pm
Have you ever made a pair of trousers but never quite been happy with the fit? Or perhaps you’ve avoided sewing them altogether because getting the fit right feels a little daunting. If so, this workshop has been designed with you in mind.
Join Emma Smith for this friendly, full-day workshop where she’ll guide you through making the Pietra Pants by Closet Core while helping you achieve a comfortable, well-fitting pair of trousers that’s tailored to you.
The Pietra Pants are an excellent pattern for learning the fundamentals of trouser fitting. Featuring a flat-fronted waistband with elastic across the back, they offer the comfort of an elasticated waist while maintaining a clean, tailored look from the front.
Although the elastic provides flexibility through the back waist, achieving a great fit still relies on getting the rise, hips and front fitting comfortably and accurately. Emma will begin by taking your measurements and helping you determine the most appropriate size before guiding you through any fitting adjustments.
Some fitting adjustments can only be assessed once the trousers begin to take shape, so Emma will continue to refine the fit with you as you sew throughout the day, helping you understand why those adjustments have been made so you can confidently apply the same techniques to future trouser projects.
One of the lovely things about the Pietra Pants is that the choice is yours. You can make either the tapered leg version for a slimmer, more streamlined silhouette, or the wide leg version for a softer, more relaxed look.
Your choice of fabric also plays a huge part in the finished result. If you’re looking for a more structured, tailored pair of trousers, fabrics such as linen, chambray or lightweight denim work beautifully. If you prefer something softer and more fluid, fabrics such as viscose, TENCEL™, silk or silk blends will create elegant movement and drape.
The combination of your chosen style and fabric means you can create a pair of Pietra Pants that perfectly suits your wardrobe and your personal style.
The workshop includes the Pietra Pants paper pattern by Closet Core, which is yours to use during the day and take home afterwards. Once you’ve perfected the fit, you’ll be able to use your pattern again and again to create beautifully fitting trousers in a variety of fabrics and styles.
By the end of the workshop, most students will have completed their Pietra Pants. However, everyone works at their own pace and some fittings naturally take a little longer than others, so completion will vary from person to person.
Whether you leave with a finished pair of trousers or with just a little sewing left to complete at home, Emma will ensure all of your fitting has been completed so you can confidently finish your trousers in your own time. More importantly, you’ll understand the fitting adjustments that have been made, giving you the skills and confidence to achieve a great trouser fit in future projects too.
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.
✨ Workshop details:
• A full 7-hour sewing workshop
• Pietra Pants paper pattern included to take home
• Use of Janome sewing machines and overlockers
• Oliso irons and ironing boards
• Small group size of 5–6 people, ensuring plenty of individual attention
• Suitable for sewists with some dressmaking experience who are 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 chosen fabric (please refer to the photographs of the back of the pattern envelope for fabric quantities according to your chosen size and chosen trouser style)
• 1 metre of 5cm wide elastic
• 30cm lightweight fusible interfacing
• Matching sewing thread
If you haven’t yet chosen your fabric or need any of the required notions, don’t worry. We stock a wonderful selection of suitable fabrics, thread, elastic, interfacing and everything else you’ll need here at The Fabric Boutique, so you can purchase everything before the class begins.
If you spend over £25 in the shop on the day of your workshop, you’ll receive 10% off your purchase.
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
Our Sewing Studio is situated upstairs above the shop and is accessed via a flight of stairs.
For your convenience, there is a toilet and wash basin within the Sewing Studio, so everything you need is close at hand throughout the day.
During the workshop, you’re very welcome to pop downstairs to the shop if you need any additional fabric, haberdashery or notions.
If you spend over £25 in the shop on the day of your workshop, you’ll receive 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.