Measurements & Pattern Drafting
Stop Grading Commercial Patterns. Start Sewing for Your Real Body.
Tired of fighting with standard-size sewing patterns that never quite fit right? Unlock the secret to truly bespoke garments in this hands-on, two-hour workshop.
What You'll Do: We’ll kick off by mastering the art of taking 38 precise body measurements, your key to flawless garment fit. Next, we’ll guide you step-by-step through powerful, free open-source software that automatically generates and customizes over 60 patterns drafted directly to your exact dimensions. We’ll wrap up by printing and assembling your first pattern live in class.
Takeaways: Walk out with one finished, custom-drafted pattern in hand, your master measurement profile saved, and the absolute freedom to generate unlimited custom patterns for life. Say goodbye to the sizing guessing game forever!
Instructor: Taught by Jam Jenkins (jamjenkins.com), a local sewing instructor and organizer of Tailored at Sea (jamjenkins.com/trips/cruises), the only garment sewing cruise from the US in 2027.
What to Bring: A laptop, tablet, or smartphone to record measurements and draft patterns.
Bespoke T-Shirt Start-to-Finish
Design, draft, and sew a custom-tailored t-shirt from scratch in this hands-on workshop. Walk out wearing your own creation!
Welcome to the ultimate hands-on apparel workshop at the Mood Fabrics Houston! Say goodbye to guessing sizes and settling for "close enough"—this intensive session is designed to teach you how to shape a garment to your exact body and style. By the end of this class, you won't just understand the drafting and construction process; you will walk out the door wearing a custom-tailored t-shirt you made yourself.
What You Will Be Doing
Guided by an expert instructor, you will dive into the complete lifecycle of garment creation:
Measuring: Take precise body measurements for an accurate fit.
Drafting: Use custom pattern-drafting blocks to map out your unique t-shirt design.
Cutting & Sewing: Cut stretch fabrics with confidence and learn professional construction techniques, including sewing knits and utilizing a special curved collar design.
Finishing: Complete your garment with professional hems using a coverstitch machine.
What to Expect
This is a fast-paced, highly rewarding 6-hour intensive workshop. To ensure a premium, personalized educational experience with plenty of direct instruction, the class size is strictly capped at 6 students. Expect an approachable, creative environment where you start with raw fabric and leave with a finished, retail-ready garment.
What to Bring
Fabric: You can choose to bring 3 yards of your own pre-washed and dried jersey fabric (tubular jersey is highly recommended). Alternatively, you can purchase a $35 material kit add-on featuring pre-selected Mood jersey options.
Equipment: All sergers, coverstitch machines, patterns, notions, and threads are fully provided! However, if you prefer to practice on your own serger or coverstitch machine, you are more than welcome to bring it along.
Lunch: There will be a brief break for lunch. You are welcome to bring your own lunch or visit any of the incredible quick-dining options located nearby around Ponce City Market.