Patterns shaped around you
Imagine creating patterns that reflect your style and fit your unique shape. Body Blue Print is our award-winning, four-day Level 1 creative pattern-cutting workshop in Lyme Regis, designed to help you move beyond the frustrations of fitting yourself and develop patterns for your own designs.
Join Caroline and intuitive pattern cutter Franki in a small, supportive group. With guidance on fit and creative pattern cutting, you’ll explore your ideas, build your confidence and learn how to turn them into your own pattern.
We’ve devised a system of pattern cutting that eliminates as much maths as possible, wherever we can. This practical approach makes the process achievable in four days, enabling you to focus on design rather than calculations.
From inspiration to your own pattern
We begin by exploring your personal style, lifestyle and the garments you want to create patterns for. Using mood boards and a group consultation, you’ll develop a direction for your design.
You’ll create a block of your body, both three-dimensionally in a toile, a practice garment fitted to your figure, and as a paper pattern. Once you’ve decided on your design, we’ll transfer it back to paper and demonstrate how to move your fit darts into seams to create a design of your choice.
You’ll learn how to use notches, the essential markers that help your design come together, and make up toiles to test and refine the fit of your patterns.
You’ll leave with your Body Blue Print and the skills and confidence to develop more designs at home. This workshop focuses on creative pattern cutting and making up toiles, rather than making a finished garment.
Is this workshop for you?
This workshop is suited to sewists with moderate to experienced sewing skills. Having made a dress or skirt before will help you get the most from the four days. You don’t need a fully formed design idea, just curiosity and a willingness to explore.
Your four days
- Day 1, 10am–4pm: with Caroline.
- Day 2, 9:30am–4pm: with Caroline and Franki.
- Day 3, 9:30am–4pm: with Caroline and Franki.
- Day 4, 10am–4pm: with Caroline.
What to bring
For your mood board, bring magazines, cuttings and rough sketches of things that inspire you. These don’t have to be clothing: colours, shapes and textures can all help you express your ideas.
Please also bring three garments you like, even if they don’t fit, and one you dislike. These will help us explore your preferences and prepare for your first design.
Pack a basic sewing kit: tape measure, fabric scissors, paper scissors, pins, quick unpick, pattern ruler, Scotch Magic Tape, a pattern maker and tracing wheel, plus a notebook. Pattern-making tools are also available to buy on the day.
In the studio
Janome sewing machines are provided, or you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Fabric and paper for your toiles are available at a small additional cost. Coffee and tea are included, and workshop students receive 10% off dressmaking fabrics purchased during the workshop.
Sewing by the sea in Lyme Regis
Find us at Upper Stable Block, Town Mill, Mill Lane, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3PU.
For questions, call 07707811114.
Choose your workshop dates
- 23–26 October 2026 — £390
- 27–30 November 2026 — £390
- 15–18 January 2027 — £400
- 5–8 March 2027 — £400
- 7–10 May 2027 — £400
Places are limited. Choose your dates and give your ideas four days to take shape.