Do I need prior sewing experience?

Yes—participants must know how to operate a sewing machine; the course teaches drafting and fitting rather than basic machine skills.

What if I miss a class?

You may miss one class and redo it at the Sewing Café; missing more than one class forfeits that lesson unless you pay for a makeup.

Are materials included?

Drafting paper, rulers, pencils and the Metric Pattern Cutting book reference are provided; prototype fabric is not included.

Who teaches the course?

The workshops are led by Ines (instructor name provided in the listing); expect hands-on guidance and individual fittings.

What level is the course?

Advanced beginner to intermediate—best if you’ve sewn garments before and understand basic construction.

What will I take home?

You’ll leave with custom-fitted basic pattern blocks, notes on adjustments and a prototype toile you made during the course.

Master Pattern Drafting in Amsterdam: 4-Day Summer Workshop at De Steek

Located in Amsterdam, Netherlands, the Pattern Drawing Workshop Series 1.0 - Summer Edition runs at De Steek, van der Hoopstraat 70HS. This compact four-day course (13–16 July, 10.30 AM–5.00 PM) is designed to turn ideas into fitted patterns: you’ll draft basic blocks to your measurements, create a prototype and learn adjustment techniques that let one block become many designs. Under Ines’s guidance, students work from Metric Pattern Cutting for Women’s Wear by W. Aldrich and a full set of drafting tools provided on-site. Sessions focus on constructing well-fitted bodice, sleeve and skirt blocks, plus practical edits—adding waistbands, inserting pockets and reshaping darts. The pace is workshop-intense but precise: each 4.5-hour session balances demonstration, hands-on drafting and one-on-one fitting so you leave with usable patterns, not just sketches. What makes this series stand out in Amsterdam’s creative landscape is its combination of technical rigor and immediate garment testing. Rather than following ready-made commercial patterns, you’ll learn measurement-based drafting that adapts to individual proportions — a rare skill in a city where fashion is often driven by off-the-rack sizing. The studio environment at De Steek emphasizes craft skills, small-group troubleshooting and real fittings; coffee, tea and cookies keep energy steady through long afternoons. Practical details matter here: the course price is paid in full at booking, and participants must commit to all four days. You are allowed to miss one class and catch up at the Sewing Café; additional absences forfeit that lesson unless paid for separately. Bring prototype fabric (cheap cotton or an old sheet is recommended). All drafting paper, rulers and pencils are provided. This workshop fits advanced beginners and intermediate sewists who already know how to operate a sewing machine. Expect concentrated sitting, measuring and precise marking rather than strenuous physical activity. By the final day you’ll have custom pattern blocks that form the basis for dozens of original garments and a confidence to manipulate shape, fit and detail on future projects. Whether you’re tired of poor commercial fit, want to streamline a small freelance label or simply expand your home-sewing skills, this hands-on Summer Edition offers an efficient, skill-forward path to self-reliance in pattern work. Meet at De Steek, van der Hoopstraat 70HS and leave with both patterns and practical know-how ready to be scaled into your next favorite piece. Class size encourages feedback and tailored adjustments—participants are grouped for fittings so everyone gets focused one-on-one time with Ines. The workshop’s emphasis on repeatable blocks means you’ll leave with templates that save weeks of trial-and-error and a clear workflow: measure, draft, toile, adjust, finalize. For makers based in or visiting Amsterdam, this is a compact, high-return investment in craft skills you use for years and inspire future design projects.