Working with jersey: Making a hoodie or sweatshirt

Please note this is a two part workshop. Part 1 will take place on Wednesday 14th February 10:30-2:30pm and part 2 Wednesday 13th March 10:30-2:30pm. Payment covers both sessions.

The pattern we will be using is the Waves & Wild Hot Coffee Sweatshirt. Please click here to view the pattern.

The pattern comes in a variety of sizes: adult, teen and child. There is also a choice of fit options: curve or straight. Please let us know which one you would like when booking.

Size range: XXS – 7XL – approx. UK 6 – 34/36– please use your body measurements compared to the sizing on the pattern, do not use your ready to wear size to estimate the size needed on the pattern as they can vary significantly.

Part 1 Wednesday 14th February 

In this session we will start to make our Hot Coffee sweatshirt or hoodie, using knit/stretch fabric.

Minor fitting issues such as grading between a couple of sizes, or lengthening/shortening can be dealt with, but fitting issue requiring more complex adjustments will not be possible in the time constraints of this session. If you typically experience fitting issues with ready to wear garments, you should expect that you will need to adjust dressmaking patterns and the adjustments very much depend on the specific fitting issue and may not be possible in the time constraints of this session.

All internal seams and raw edges will be unfinished (there’s no need to finish stretch fabric raw edges). If you would like a professional finish to your project then you could overlock them, however you will need to be confident using an overlocker.

Part 2 Wednesday 13th March

In this session we will continue making our Hot Coffee sweatshirt or hoodie.

Minor fitting issues such as grading between a couple of sizes, or lengthening/shortening can be dealt with, but fitting issue requiring more complex adjustments will not be possible in the time constraints of this session. If you typically experience fitting issues with ready to wear garments, you should expect that you will need to adjust dressmaking patterns and the adjustments very much depend on the specific fitting issue and may not be possible in the time constraints of this session.

All internal seams and raw edges will be unfinished (there’s no need to finish stretch fabric raw edges). If you would like a professional finish to your project then you could overlock them, however you will need to be confident using an overlocker.

Required sewing knowledge/experience for both sessions

You need to have good basic knowledge of a sewing machine and be able to sew a straight stitch. You will need to be familiar with your machine and how to use it’s basic features such as winding and inserting the bobbin, threading up your machine and needle, changing the feet and needle and sewing a straight stitch. For this session in particular you need to be familiar with your machines stretch and/or zigzag stitch. If you have neither you can use maraflex thread instead but please test this works ok with your machine before the workshop begins. This session is not suitable for complete sewing machine beginners.

You also need a basic understanding of using a dressmaking pattern. This session is not suitable for absolute beginners that haven’t got experience of using a sewing machine or making clothes using dressmaking patterns.

What will you need to bring for both sessions?

Suggested fabrics: 

Main: Most medium weight knit fabrics. French terry and sweatshirt fleece are ideal. Cotton/Lycra jersey can also be used but being a thinner fabric the end garment will feel a little larger. Fabrics with 50% stretch are recommended. 4-way stretch is best but 2-way stretch will work.

Cuffs: Cotton/Lycra ribbing or this can be substituted with knit fabric that has 50% stretch

Fabric requirements: 

Main: 140 cm (55″) wide fabric: Crew neck top, 120 – 180 cm (1 3/8 – 2 yd) // Cowl neck top, 150 – 230 cm (1 5/8 – 2 5/8 yd) // Hooded top, 160 – 250 cm (1 3/4 – 2 3/4 yd) // Dress, add 20 – 50 cm (1/4 – 5/8 yd).

Ribbing: 140 cm (55″) wide fabric: 30 cm (3/8 yd).

If you need to purchase fabric this needs to be done prior to the workshop to allow it to start on time.

Notions: Thread, If doing the patch pockets, you will need a maximum of 60 cm (24”) of 6 mm (1/4″) elastic, a stretch/ball point needle

Sewing machine: Your sewing machine needs to be able to sew a stretch stitch, or at the absolute minimum a zigzag stitch. Alternatively, if your machine does not have a stretch stitch you can use maraflex thread instead. Please check your machine sews ok with maraflex before the workshop, as some machines don’t like it.