Vintage Sewing Weekend - 26th & 27th July 2025

For this workshop we will be using the lovely Vintage Style patterns from Til The Sun Goes Down - choose from the designs below or any of the patterns from the Now & Then range.

The Ritz Pleat Dress: The Ritz Pleat Dress - is the perfect dress for almost any occasion, depending on the fabric you choose. The key feature is the flattering pleats that drape from shoulder to centre front and the bias skirt that falls easily over the waist and hips. The pattern has 3 sleeve versions - Long straight, elbow length with/without gathers and a short fluted one. The dress comes to just below the knee with the option of making it full length.

The Lana Tea Dress: A perfect tea dress that is so versatile you'll make it again and again. It has a look that's a little 1930s but also something of the 1940s. There are 3 versions included in the pattern. Version A has a gathered sleeve head and a pleat into it's cuff. Version B has a gathered sleeve head with a fluted hem. Version C has a long straight sleeve. Version D has a long skirt. The skirt is cut on the bias and gently skims the waist and hips making it very easy to wear.

The Molly Dress: A  simple but oh so lovely little number with great versatility. A bias-cut skirt creates a draped, fluid skirt with lots of swing. The slightly above natural waistline seam gives the look of longer legs and a smaller waist. Gentle gathers from a piped shoulder yoke give shaping, all finished off with a bound neckline. There is a short, straight sleeve and a long sleeve with gathers on the sleeve head.

The Hepburn Shirtwaister: This is a classic dress with echoes of the late 1940s/ early 1950s but updated for today. There are 2 collar versions, 1 angular and one curved. There are 3 sleeve choices? A short capped one, a straight bracelet length or one with a feature cuff. Small pleats add fullness to the skirt both front and back. And last but not least there are skirt side pockets.

The Florin Wrap Dress: The Florin Wrap Dress & Skirt is influenced by the feminine shapes of the 1950s. She wraps at the back making fitting very easy and also sublimely comfortable to wear. The dress has 3 neckline options: a square neck, a square neck with a 'V-shaped notch at the centre front and lastly a scooped neck. You can choose from a long bracelet length sleeve, a short sleeve or a sleeveless one. The skirt falls into a full 'A' shape with the centre front seam being on the bias. The skirt and the dresses tie at the front in a bow or a knot.

The Summer Ruffle Dress: this lovely dress has as options of a wrap or an 'A-line dress. Both dresses feature double ruffle sleeves & flounce hems, giving them a feminine and relaxed look. Fitting is simple without buttons or zips, making them quick and easy dresses to make. Both versions have the option of inserting side seam pockets. Using just the lower sleeve on its own is also an option that works well for a simpler look.

The Viola Dress: Viola is inspired by the bias-cut styles of the 1930s. It has feature ruching at the neck and on the long-sleeved cuffs; both can be secured with ribbon, rouleaux or elastic. The bodice has feature gathers under the bust which dip down to the side seam to meet the back, which is also gathered lightly at the waist. The skirts finish at lower/mid-calf and are cut on the bias to give good drape & fit. And there's an optional belt to enhance the waist. With long and short-sleeved options Viola works perfectly for Winter and Summer

The Melody Dress: The Melody Collection was inspired by the 1930s and its appreciation of style & elegance. There are 5 different sleeve versions to choose from, 2 length options and 2 back options. The bias cut skirt and the cowl neckline celebrate drape & femininely. This dress can be very dressed-up in the finest georgette or quite business-like in wool crepe - the ultimate in versatility

The Tilbury Dress: The Tilbury has a relaxed easy fit with a feature high-waist & dainty mandarin-style collar. It’s suitable for all seasons with multiple skirt lengths & sleeve options. A more fitted shape can be achieved by adding ties on the high-waist side seam & tying at the back. The bodice has princess seams & gathers off the yoke to give shaping over the bust. The skirt is gathered onto the bodice & has in-seam pockets. There are 3 length options – Midi, on-knee & tunic. There are 3 sleeve options – the full-length and ¾ are both gathered into a narrow cuff band. There’s a short sleeve too. All 3 sleeves have a small amount of gathering on the sleeve head.

The All Seasons Dress: The All Seasons Dress & skirt design has been influenced by the styles of the 1930s with perhaps a 'nod' to the early 40's depending on your fabric choices. Make the no-sleeve version for the summer, the long-sleeved one for the cooler months and the skirt for all seasons. Features include 2 inverted skirt pleats both front & back, triangular button closures on the cuffs and a button side placket.

Over two days make a beautiful dress for the Summer or a Vintage event like The Goodwood Revival, the perfect fabric for any of the dresses would be silk or silk/viscose

The cost of the pattern is included in the workshop price.

What You Need To Bring: The Sewing Room is fully equipped with Janome Sewing Machines and Overlockers as well as all the tools you need to complete your project.  You are very welcome to bring your own machine and sewing box if you wish.

Materials Needed:  A materials list will be sent nearer the time

Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Venue: The Midhurst Sewing Room

Date: Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th July 2025

Workshop Start/End time: 10am - 5pm

Workshop Duration: 2 day

Workshop Tutor: Claire Tyler