‘Discover the art of patterndrafting in a standard size 10. Our method is rooted in full-size pattern drafting, allowing you to truly grasp the scale. Prepare to be amazed by the results as we guide you through our expertly crafted bodice block template and course materials honed from years of experience. We teach you personalised fitting and making adjustments to the block for perfect fit.

Beginning Patternmaking

$1499

+$299
Optional kit

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“At the Academy”

Have you ever wished your clothes fit perfectly? Our Patternmaking Course will show you how to turn that wish into reality.

Available in morning or evening classes, this course is designed to teach you the essential foundations of patternmaking.

You’ll learn how to use professional patternmaking tools, take accurate body measurements, and draft your own pattern blocks. During the course, you’ll create your own fitted bodice block, using the Academy’s specially designed template. All manuals are included in the course fee, giving you a valuable resource you can continue to use long after the course is finished.

By the end of the course, you’ll understand how patterns are created and will have drafted a personalised block in your own size—the starting point for designing garments that fit you beautifully.

What You’ll Learn

The foundations of patternmaking
How to use essential patternmaking tools
How to take accurate body measurements
How to draft your own fitted bodice block

Classes run 3 hours per week, giving you plenty of time to learn, practise, and build confidence in your new skills.

Is This Course for You?

This course is ideal for anyone with basic sewing knowledge (such as sewing straight seams and darts) who wants to take the next step into designing and creating their own clothing.

Most of the materials you’ll need are included in our patternmaking kit. You can find the full list of supplies in the tab below.

Continue Your Creative Journey

Once you’ve completed this course, you can continue developing your skills in Intermediate Patternmaking, where you’ll learn how to develop adaptations and garment designs.

Please note: Classes can fill quickly. If your chosen class is full, you can still enrol and join the waitlist. Simply select your preferred next intake morning or evening. We’ll contact you with the dates so you confirm your place.

Start creating clothes designed just for you and discover the satisfaction of patternmaking.

Patternaking 2026 Dates

Morning sessions are 10am – 2.o0pm
Evening Sessions are 6-9pm Monday

Semester 2

Mornings – Tuesday
July 21, 28
August 4,11,18,25
September 1,8,15,22,29
October 13,20

Evenings – Monday
July 20, 27
August 3,10,17,24,31
September 7,14,21
October 12,19,
November 2

If these dates are not suitable for you, you can pre-enrol for the next intake. We will send you an email confirming the next semester dates so you can decide whether you would like to enrol. Check “next intake” on the enrolment form.

Patternmaking Kit $299

NZAF Specialised Bodice Template and course workbooks supplied with course fee

1 x length of Fabric Felt 30cm for tracing off patterns and protecting table tops
1 x sellotape
1 x tape measure
1 x Set Square
1 x Tracing Wheel
1 x French Curve
4 x Coloured Felt Pens
1 x Mechanical Pencil 2B
1 x Paper Scissor
1 x Eraser
Supplies case

Intermediate Patternmaking

Beginning Garment Construction

Certificate of Completion

You will learn to draft blocks and acquire the skills to create blocks. Also through tutor guided adaptions.

Basic Skirt Block – 3 adaptations to extend your imagination.
Basic Trouser Block – 2 adaptations.
Fitted Bodice Block – 6 dart transfers
Fitted Sleeve block – 2 adaptations.
Basic Dress block
Basic Knit block – 6 neckline adaptation, 1 T’Shirt adapation
Basic Knit sleeve block
Personalised fitting and adjustments to the block

The maximum class size is 6 students however, the class will go ahead if we have a minimum of 3 students. This will mean that the course may finish a few weeks earlier depending on the number of students in the class.

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I really enjoyed this course and learn a lot over this small timeframe. Sunita went out of her way to ensure all students understood everything that was being taught.

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I really enjoyed the pace of the class. I felt like we learned a lot over the duration of the course.

Zara Hawthorne

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Sunita is a very good teacher, I learned so much in a short time. Awesome atmosphere and met lovely people

Tarryn Siljeur

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Absolutely loved the course so much that I have joined up for 2 more! Sunita is always there to give “golden nuggets of information”. I have learned so much already.

Kellie Castle

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The course challenged me but it was very rewarding and I would recommend it for those who are looking to upskill their sewing/patternmaking. The course was very insightful and it was very hands-on which works for me. The tools and booklet provided have very clear instructions that you can tell have been really though through. I also found the beginner level suitable for me as a beginner.

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Fantastic teacher! Really made sure I understood everything! Loved the course, learnt heaps, inspired to continue learning. Thanks very much!

Caitlin Palmer

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I have just finished an introduction to patternmaking this course really improved my understanding of how patterns work.
Many thanks to Sunita for having time and patience when teaching. I would recommend this course to anyone who sews and wants to improve their finished garments.

Wendy Knight

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I recently completed the Beginners Patternmaking Course here and loved it! Such a well-structured course in a friendly environment (and a professional classroom/studio). I had Sunita as a teacher and she was the best, I literally knew nothing about patternmaking before I started this course and I feel like I’ve learnt so much and now feel comfortable enough to make my own basic patterns and garments at home.

Being in a small class was wonderful as we could ask the teacher a lot of questions and you get to know your fellow classmates and learn from each other. Would totally recommend this course and I’m looking forward to taking more classes here in the future!

Monica Wang

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I really enjoyed the beginner pattern making course. Sunita is an awesome teacher. I really appreciated the time that she took helping me with fitting, and to learn the course material. I have also gained a much better understanding of sewing construction through this course as I now understand how a sewing pattern is put together and why it’s drafted a certain way.
I look forward to using what I’ve learnt to design and make clothes and would love to attend another course in the future

Lisa Lyons

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I have completed Beginning patternmaking course from this academy and I love it! I am already skilled as a sewer but I still need to know about pattern making .This course made me more confident to make my own blocks, and I am really appreciate about the training method, tips and techniques which they are giving with friendly environment .The main benefits for me are knowing measurement, I didn’t know properly before it, know i got the correct way to measure a body. Sunita was my teacher and she is wonderful, well experienced and best. I would highly recommend this course and ask the academy when they are doing the more advanced patternmaking courses in the weekend so it is more flexible for me to join next.

Safia Sana