5-Week Creative Course in Tunbridge Wells
- This course is not:
- A factory-style method
- Copying commercial patterns
- Rushed or intimidating
- About sewing skills or technical jargon
- This course is:
- Calm, guided and exploratory
- Based on understanding, not memorising
- Suitable for beginners
- About building confidence step by step
- This course is for you if you:
- Want to understand pattern cutting, not just follow instructions
- Feel curious about garment construction but don’t know where to start
- Enjoy learning through making and experimenting
- Want skills you can use long after the course ends
- No sewing experience is required.
Creative pattern cutting often sounds complicated — technical, mathematical, or only for people with years of sewing experience. This course approaches it differently. Here, pattern cutting is a creative thinking process.
- This course is a good fit if you:
- Feel stuck following patterns that don’t quite work for you
- Want to understand why clothes are shaped the way they are
- Enjoy thinking things through, not rushing to results
- Are looking for a focused, offline learning experience
- Want time to learn properly, without pressure
- You don’t need to:
- Have a background in fashion or pattern making
- Work fast
- Know technical terms
- Aim for perfection
- This course might not suit you if you:
- Want quick results without learning the process
- Prefer large, fast-paced classes
- Are only looking for ready-made templates
- Are looking for a one-off workshop rather than a gradual learning process
The focus is on pattern creation and understanding structure. Sewing is not covered in this course.
Time, dates & how the course runs
This is a 5-week course designed to fit around real life.
We meet once a week, giving you time to absorb, reflect and build understanding gradually.
- Tuesday group29 Sep – 27 Oct
18:00 – 20:30Evening sessions. Easy to fit around work and everyday life. - Saturday group3 Oct – 31 Oct
10:30 – 13:00Morning sessions. Weekend option, suitable if you work weekdays.
Kostina Art Studio, Tunbridge Wells
TN1 1YT
If you miss a session, you won’t be left behind.
Materials and guidance can be shared, and we can go over questions together.
To keep the atmosphere calm and supportive, the group is small — 6 people.
This allows time for questions, discussion and individual guidance.
Course programme
Tutor: Valeriia Kostina
Course programme
Tutor: Valeriia Kostina
The course follows a clear, progressive structure. Each week builds on the previous one, giving you time to understand, practise and ask questions.
An introduction to the bodice block.
Understanding the basic structure behind many garment patterns.
An introduction to the sleeve block.
Understanding how sleeves connect to the bodice and affect shape and movement.
Exploring how small changes create different shapes and styles.
Seeing how form and proportion shape the final look.
Seeing how separate elements come together into a complete garment.
About sizing
We work using a size 12 base block — a standard industry size. This allows us to focus on understanding structure and proportion, without the complexity of individual sizing. The skills you learn can be applied to any size.
What previous students say
❤️
What previous students say
❤️
- Bekki Sanderson
It’s a skill I have wanted to learn for a very long time. Valeriia was very clear with instructions and patient with us if we didn’t understand first time.
I now feel I can look at any top, skirt or dress and create the pattern for that garment.
- Claire Thomas
This is a fascinating course. It blew my mind away understanding the simplicity and complexity of making a patterns. These are going to be great skills when I sew something a little more freestyle! Valeriia is a wealth of knowledge and expertise as well as giving space for creative freedom. If you love to design or sew - go!
- Stefanie Graham
It was informative, well delivered and a joy to partake in. I have real, usable skills that I developed during this course and I absolutely credit Valeriia with my new found joy in creative pattern cutting. She put me at ease to break the rules, to learn the basics and look at your chosen fabric and design with a knowledgeable eye, but the most important thing is to play, experiment and enjoy. I 100% recommend taking a course with Valeriia, you will learn a new skill, gain a new friend and have a really wonderful time.
- Course investment & practical details
Price: £245
All materials covered. Flexible payment with Klarna available.
- What’s included
- All materials provided
- Small, calm group learning
- Guided support throughout each session
- Time for questions and discussion
- Practical skills you can use beyond the course
- Practical details
- Duration: 5 weeks
- Sessions: once a week
- Location: Kostina Art Studio, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1YT
- Small group size
- Age: 16+
- This course focuses on pattern creation and understanding structure.
- Sewing is not covered.
- Photos and short videos may be taken during classes for promotional use. Please let us know in advance if you’d prefer not to be included.
- For full details on refunds and rescheduling, please see our Cancellation & Booking Policy.
Payment confirms your place in the selected group.
Why You'll Love This Course
- Expert Instruction
Learn from a professional with a degree from the London College of Fashion and real-world experience as a fashion designer in a London studio. - Comprehensive Support
Receive personalised support throughout the workshop, ensuring you gain the skills and confidence. - Creativity and Innovation
Explore your creativity and bring your unique fashion ideas to life with expert guidance. - Skill Development
Leave the workshop with a solid foundation in pattern cutting, equipped with the skills to create custom garments. - Small Class Sizes
Enjoy a personalised learning experience in a small, supportive group setting, where each participant receives focused attention and guidance.
- Is this course right for me?Yes, if you're eager to learn how to create patterns for your wardrobe! Whether you're a complete beginner or someone looking to improve your pattern-making skills, this course will guide you through the process of drafting custom designs to suit your style.
- Do I need prior sewing skills to join this course?No, sewing skills are not required. This course focuses exclusively on pattern cutting, and while knowing how to sew may help with visualizing the garments, it is not necessary for participation.
- Why do we use size 12 for the blocks?The course uses a standard industry size 12 to ensure a smooth and consistent learning experience. All participants, regardless of their personal size, will work with the same measurements during the class. This approach allows the focus to remain on mastering the core principles of pattern cutting without the complexity of individual measurements. However, you'll also learn how to adapt the blocks to your own size. By the end of the course, you will have the skills to create made-to-measure patterns, not only for yourself but for any size.
- Is this tailoring?No, this is not tailoring. The course focuses on creative pattern cutting, which is about drafting and manipulating basic blocks to create garment patterns. Instead of focusing on precise measurements we'll explore the exciting world of designing and shaping patterns. You'll learn how to create custom garment patterns by manipulating basic blocks and exploring different styles. It’s about bringing your ideas to life and crafting unique designs that reflect your personal style.
- What materials will be provided, and do I need to bring anything?All necessary materials for drafting patterns are provided during the course.
- Will I be able to create my own garments after this course?By the end of the course, you will have the foundational skills to design and create custom patterns for garments such as tops, dresses, and skirts. You’ll also gain the confidence to explore further pattern making.
- Can I apply what I learn to different sizes?Yes! While the course uses a size 12 for consistency during learning, you will also be taught how to modify patterns to fit any size.
Please note!
Unfortunately, our new studio does not have step-free access. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any concerns about accessibility, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
We are only a 5-minute walk from Tunbridge Wells train station.
If you are driving, please check in advance where to park by choosing the most convenient car park location for you on the website https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/parking/car-parks/fi...
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1 Frog Lane, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1YT
Email: art@kostina.co.uk
Kostina Art