Artisan Sewing Classes Presents:
Basic Skirt Sloper 101
REGISTRATION CLOSED – Check back soon for a skirt sloper class in the future
OPTIONAL additional half day January 26, 2014.
Basic sewing skills are needed for this course.
Have you ever had a skirt that never quite fit you correctly?
Have you ever had a problem trying to achieve a decent fit from a store bought pattern?
There are 2 ways to solve these pesky situations – to make a sloper either by draping or by using your own measurements.
In this class, you will learn to draft a skirt sloper from your own measurements that will ensure a great fitting skirt every time. Each day will start out with a lecture followed by hands on exercises designed to help you create a sloper that FITS YOU.
People often ask what the difference is between a sloper and a pattern. The best explanation is that the sloper is a draft of a garment that fits with a minimum of wear ease and has no design ease at all – in other words, it should be like a second skin. The sloper also has no seam allowances.
Design changes, design ease, wear ease and seam allowances are added to the sloper in order to create the pattern.
Part 1 – Creating a Skirt Sloper
In this lecture portion of this class, you will learn about drafting tools, the best way to take your measurements and the formulas involved in producing your sloper. It is difficult to take measurements on yourself, so in the last part of the lecture, you will practice this skill on each other. Not only is this a great way to get accurate measurements for yourself, you will also become aware of specific fit issues that can be addressed at this time. Please wear a leotard or close fitting clothing for the class.
In the hands on portion of the class, using your own measurements, you will create a muslin to fit yourself using the drafting tools of the trade. Supply your own tools (a list will be provided upon registration) or purchase them on site.
Part 2– Designing a Skirt from a Sloper
Once you have perfected the sloper, the creativity can begin!
The second half of this class will be spent discussing how to make design changes to the sloper in order to create a skirt. We will address questions such as deciding how much ease to put in the pattern and how to change a straight skirt to an A-line skirt or a gored skirt. What length and proportion looks best on you? Waistband or no waistband? What about pockets?
In this part of the class, you will try your hand at simple design changes and make a skirt mock-up (also called a muslin or a toile) based on those changes. Interestingly enough, muslin also refers to the type of inexpensive fabric used to make the mock-up. From your mockup, we will discuss how you can then make a pattern. Remember, the pattern must not only include the skirt pieces, but also any facing, lining, interfacing and miscellaneous pieces as well.
You can then apply this process of learning simple design changes as a stepping stone to create more designs!
Part 3 – Perfecting and Practicing – optional additional half day
During this extra session, you will learn more about how you can change the sloper to create different designs. You will then take those skills and put them into use by creating a mock-up of your new design. If desired, you may bring fabric from your stash and work on a completing a garment or talk about the suitability of your fabric for a design of your choosing.
Date: January 25, 2014 (with optional additional half day January 26, 2014)
Time and Class fee:
January 25, 2014 lecture only – 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM – $180.00
January 25, 2014 full day – 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM – $345.00
if signing up for the additional optional half day:
January 25, 2014 hours plus 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on January 26, 2014 – $500.00
Registration: Closed
Location: Studios of Catrina Fashions, LLC
5995 Lee Highway, Troutville, VA 24175
For more information about the class and how to register, please contact:
Genevieve Journell at:
Catrina Fashions, LLC
P. O. Box 35
Troutville, VA 24175
Call: 540-992-2127
About Your Instructor:
View Genevieve’s bio and philosophy on the About Page. If you would like to continue with design work or additional pattern work on a one-on-one basis, Genevieve is available for private sewing classes/coaching.
Class Fee Policy:
Class requires a payment via check at time of registration. Please call or email and the registration form and class invoice will be emailed to you. Materials and kit fees, where applicable, are made payable on the day of class.
Cancellation/Transfer Policy:
A 5% transaction fee applies to all class cancellations and transfers. No refunds for missed classes. To receive a refund (less the 5% transaction fee) for a cancelled registration, notification must be given 14 days prior to the class start date. If cancellation occurs within the 14 days prior to the class, the amount paid will be applied toward a future class. In the event Catrina Fashions, LLC must cancel a class, the student may choose to have a full refund by check or applied to a future class. Catrina Fashions, LLC’s liability for refunds shall be limited to the amount of the portion of the registration fee paid by the student.
