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Uniquely you- shirt workshop (Saturdays)


  • BERNINA SG 38 Jln Pemimpin, #08-03 M38 Building Singapore 577178 Singapore (map)

Create your dream shirt or blouse workshop

Hosted by Arzelle at BERNINA SG

SG$630

16 hours over 4 Sessions ( 4 hours per session)

Workshop overview

Bring your vision to life in this hands-on workshop where you decide the design to suit your style. Whether you dream of a timeless button-up, a chic Mandarin-collared blouse, or a stylish statement shirt, this workshop empowers you to create a garment you’ll love.

With expert guidance, you’ll select the perfect shirt or blouse pattern that suits your style and vision. From there, you’ll learn shirt-making techniques like French seams, attaching a collar, and custom fit adjustments to create a piece that’s truly one-of-a-kind.

What You’ll Learn

  1. Pattern Selection & Fabric Guidance:

    • Participate in a guided experience to select your shirt or blouse pattern you love.

    • Learn how to choose a fabric that suits your pattern, style, and budget – from affordable options to premium materials like Liberty fabrics (not recommended for first time shirt makers).

    • Learn how to prewash your fabric, take measurements, lay it out, cut, and prepare for a neater finished look.

  2. Shirt Construction Techniques:

    • Create a shirt to your style with the following features:

      • A type of collar.

      • Yoke.

      • One or two additional details (e.g., button placket, cuffs, darts, or pintucks).

    • Master French seams and rolled hem to achieve a clean, enclosed seam finish.

    • Learn about running, stay, under and top stitching.

  3. Hands-On Sewing Practice:

    • Learn precision sewing techniques for collars, yokes, and more.

    • Apply professional finishing methods like pressing, topstitching, and seam finishing.

  4. Personalisation & Adjustments:

    • Modify the pattern for a perfect fit.

    • Add unique touches to reflect your personal style.

Meet your instructor

Arzelle is a highly experienced fashion designer, mentor, and lecturer with over 20 years of expertise in the fashion industry. Having designed bespoke wedding dresses, her own ready-to-wear collections, and taught students at the university level globally, she brings a wealth of technical knowledge and creativity to her teaching.

Now based in Singapore, Arzelle focuses on empowering beginner and intermediate sewists to unlock their potential through approachable, skill-building workshops. Her teaching style blends precision, encouragement, and fun to help participants feel confident and supported at every step of their sewing journey.

Workshop details

  • Duration: 4 sessions, each 4 hours long (+30-minute break per session). 10am-2:30pm

  • Total workshop hours: 16 hours of guided, hands-on learning.

  • Price: $630 per person (Fabric and pattern not included).

  • Location: BERNINA SG Creative Studio.

  • Group size: Minimum 4 participants required to run the workshop.

Level- Confident beginner: prerequisite - should have some sewing experience, not suitable if you have never operated a sewing machine before.

Workshop dates

The workshop consists of 4 sessions, scheduled on Saturdays:

  • Pattern & fabric selection: A free guided experience, to assist you in selecting the perfect pattern and fabric. Two dates available to choose from. —Saturday 15th February - 10am-10:45am or Monday 17th from 10am-10:45am. (Fabric and pattern at own cost)

    • You do not need to join, but will need to buy your own either, poplin, or lawn cotton fabric.

    • Note: We will visit 2-3 stores and will make use of the MRT.

  • Session 1: 22nd February 2025 – 10:00am to 2:30pm

  • Session 2: 1st March 2025 – 10:00am to 2:30pm

  • Session 3: 15th March 2025 – 10:00am to 2:30pm

  • Session 4: 29th March 2025 – 10:00am to 2:30pm

Each session includes a 30-minute break.

What’s included

  • 16 Hours of expert Instruction: Learn from Arzelle, an experienced fashion designer and mentor.

  • Guided pattern and fabric selection: Gain expert advice on choosing patterns and fabrics that suit your preferences and skill level.

  • Professional techniques: Master French seams and other finishing skills for a polished garment.

  • Studio access: Use high-quality sewing machines and tools at the BERNINA SG Creative Studio, coffee and tea.

What you’ll need to bring

  • Your cut out pattern: Select your preferred pattern during the guided shopping session.

  • Your pre-washed fabric and notions: Purchase materials that match your chosen pattern. You have the freedom to choose fabrics that suit your budget and style, including premium options like Liberty fabrics.

Workshop Schedule

*This is a guided outline of what the workshops might look like, can change depending on designs.

  • Session 1: Preparation & design details

    • Lay out, pin, and cut your fabric.

    • Add pattern marks and apply interfacing to key areas.

    • Sew running stitches to mark and stabilise design lines (e.g., decorative lines on the back, not on the yoke or side).

    • Begin design details such as heirloom stitches, pintucks, or adding a pocket if applicable.

  • Session 2: Yoke, front, and fitting

    • Assemble and finish the yoke.

    • Construct the centre front button stand.

    • Sew running stitches along the side seams for a test fitting.

    • Make adjustments if needed to refine the fit.

    • Complete the collar construction.

  • Session 3: Sleeves & Professional Seam Finishes

    • Attach the collar to the shirt.

    • Insert the sleeves using flat-felled seams for durability and a professional finish or with binding.

    • Sew the side seams with French seams for a clean, polished interior.

  • Session 4: Finishing Touches

    • Sew the shirt hem.

    • Create buttonholes and attach buttons.

    • Final pressing and review to ensure a professional, finished look.

What makes this workshop different?

1️⃣ You get personalised mentorship

  • This isn’t just another sewing workshop—it’s a guided experience led by Arzelle, an expert fashion designer and former lecturer with 16+ years of industry experience. You’ll gain insider knowledge, pro techniques, and hands-on guidance tailored to your skill level and goals.

2️⃣ Your design, your choice

  • Unlike many workshops where everyone sews the same garment, here you choose the shirt or blouse design that fits your personal style. No one-style-fits-all projects—this is about making something you’ll truly love and wear.

3️⃣ Guided pattern & fabric selection

  • Struggle to choose the right pattern or fabric? You’ll get a guided shopping experience where Arzelle walks you through how to select the perfect pattern for your style and skill level, plus expert advice on fabric choices for the best results.

4️⃣ Top-of-the-line equipment

  • You’ll be sewing at BERNINA SG Creative Studio, using high-quality, professional-grade machines and tools to help you achieve a polished, professional finish.

5️⃣ Professional-level finishing techniques

  • Learn French seams, precision topstitching, and more—techniques used in the fashion industry for durable, high-quality garments.

6️⃣ You’ll walk away with skills for life

  • By the end of the workshop, you won’t just have a finished shirt—you’ll have the skills and confidence to create more and elevate your sewing to the next level.

Secure your spot now!

Fill in the form and submit to book and secure your spot. We only have 8 spots.

Indemnity:
- I agree to follow instructions & safety guidelines provided by Sew on & Sow Forth (by The Curious Collective).
- I understand that Sew on & Sow Forth, (by The Curious Collective), is not liable for personal injury during the activity.
- I acknowledge and comprehend the nature of the activity that I will participate in.
- I grant permission for any filming or photography for publicity & marketing purposes by Sew on & Sow Forth(by The Curious Collective) and BERNINA SG. If otherwise I do not wish to be featured in marketing materials, I will inform Sew on & Sow Forth(by The Curious Collective) and BERNINA SG.
- By participating, I voluntarily assume all associated risks and release Sew on & Sow Forth (by The Curious Collective) from any liability for injury, loss, or damage.

FAQ

  • Ready to join the Create Your Dream Shirt Workshop? Follow these simple steps to secure your place:

    1. Fill in the booking form

      • Complete the booking form to express your interest in the workshop.

    2. Wait for confirmation email

      • You will receive an email from hello@sewonandsowforth.com within 2-3 working days with further details and an invoice for payment.

    3. Make payment and confirm

      • Once you receive the invoice, please proceed with payment.

      • Reply to the email with confirmation of payment to secure your spot.

    4. Final confirmation

      • Only after we receive your payment confirmation will you be officially added to the workshop.

    Important:

    • If we do not receive a response within 5 days of our first email, we will assume you no longer wish to participate, and your spot will be released.

    • Spaces are limited, so be sure to confirm your booking as soon as possible.

    Questions? Feel free to reach out to us at hello@sewonandsowforth.com.

  • We want to ensure you get the most out of this workshop! If you’re unable to complete your shirt within the scheduled sessions or if you miss a session, here’s how you can catch up:

    • Missed a Session? You can attend a SEWcial at an additional cost.

    • Need Extra Time? If you need more time to finish your project, you’re welcome to join a SEWcial to complete your shirt at additional cost.

    Please note: Missed sessions are non-refundable.

    What’s a SEWcial?
    A relaxed, hands-on sewing session , a sewing circle, where you bring your project, use the studio space, and sew together.

    If you work on a workshop project during a SEWcial, additional support cost will be added to the rental of the machine.

    SEWcial sessions are available at an additional cost and subject to availability.

  • We understand that sometimes plans change, so we’ve outlined our cancellation and refund policy to ensure clarity and fairness.

    • Full Refund: If you need to cancel, you’ll receive a full refund if the request is made at least 10 days prior to the start date of the first workshop session.

    • No Refund: Cancellations made less than 10 days prior to the first workshop session will result in the full workshop fee being forfeited.

    This policy allows us to secure the venue, equipment, and ensure a great experience for all participants. If you have any concerns or need assistance, feel free to reach out.

  • In the unlikely event of unforeseen circumstances, Sew on and Sew Forth reserves the right to reschedule or cancel a workshop session. This may include, but is not limited to, instructor illness, venue-related issues, or other unexpected disruptions beyond our control.

    • If a session is rescheduled, participants will be notified as soon as possible with a new date and time.

    • In the most unlikely event, if a workshop or session is cancelled, a refund will be issued for any unused sessions only. No refunds will be provided for completed sessions.

    We appreciate your understanding and flexibility in such situations. If you have any concerns, please contact us at hello@sewonandsowforth.com.

  • Have a look on Simplicity’s website before heading to the fabric store, to get an idea of patterns you like. Write their numbers down, select more than one as some might be out of stock. (if the pattern has long sleeves and you want short, we can easily adjust it)

    Here are a few to start looking at:

    Know me

    ME2068 - Men’s/unisex - ME2056, ME2018

    Simplicity

    S9758, S3101, S3032, S8889, S8830 - Men’s/unisex - S3075, S9960, S9554, S9758, S8427

    Butterick

    B6943, B6897, B7011, B6997, B6995, B6980, B6816, B6856, B6747, B6896, B6324, B6846

    Vogue

    V2068, V2030, V1823, V1827 - Men’s/unisex - V8759

    McCall’s

    M8515, M8001, M7985 - Men’s/unisex - M8459, M8486, M8263, M7206

Next
March 13

Uniquely you- shirt workshop (Thursdays mornings)