G&G Sewing Masterclass - Fabric shaping: gathers, ruffles, shirring and pleats
Ready to take your dressmaking skills to the next level?
Give your handmade garments beautiful shape, texture and movement with this fun and technique-filled sewing masterclass. In this hands-on session, you’ll explore some of the most popular fabric-shaping skills used in modern dressmaking - perfect for adding soft volume, pretty details and professional finishes to your me-made projects.
Across the three hours, you’ll work through shirring, gathering, ruffles and pleats, creating a set of sample swatches to take home. You’ll gain a clear understanding of how each technique works, how to set up your machine for best results, and how to apply these skills confidently to garments.
Sunday 1st March 2026 - 1:30pm - 4.30pm
Sunday 7th June 2026 - 1:30pm - 4.30pm
Ready to take your dressmaking skills to the next level?
Give your handmade garments beautiful shape, texture and movement with this fun and technique-filled sewing masterclass. In this hands-on session, you’ll explore some of the most popular fabric-shaping skills used in modern dressmaking - perfect for adding soft volume, pretty details and professional finishes to your me-made projects.
Across the three hours, you’ll work through shirring, gathering, ruffles and pleats, creating a set of sample swatches to take home. You’ll gain a clear understanding of how each technique works, how to set up your machine for best results, and how to apply these skills confidently to garments.
Sunday 1st March 2026 - 1:30pm - 4.30pm
Sunday 7th June 2026 - 1:30pm - 4.30pm
About this workshop
Why this masterclass?
Shirring, gathering, ruffles and pleats pop up everywhere in modern dressmaking - from soft, floaty summer tops to beautifully structured dresses. But while they look impressive, these techniques can feel a little mysterious or tricky if you’ve never tried them before.
This masterclass is designed to take the uncertainty out of fabric manipulation. With guided, hands-on practice and clear demonstrations, you’ll learn the key methods that help you sew these details neatly, confidently and with control. Whether you want to elevate simple patterns, add custom design touches, or finally understand how to get even gathers and crisp pleats, this workshop gives you the practical skills to make it happen.
It’s the perfect confidence booster for anyone ready to take their dressmaking to the next level — and add a little extra magic and movement to their me-made wardrobe.
Further Information
With expert instruction, you'll learn:
- ✨ Shirring — how to use elastic thread, set up your machine and create neat, stretchy rows
✨ Gathering — different methods for creating even gathers and how to control fullness
✨ Ruffles — calculating ruffle ratios, hemming edges and attaching ruffles to seams
✨ Pleats — marking, folding and pressing knife, box and inverted pleats
Level 3 - please click here to read the description of this level to ensure it is suited to you
Who Is This Course For?
- Dressmakers who want to add more polished details to their garments.
- Home sewists seeking to improve their finishing techniques.
- Sewing enthusiasts ready to deepen their technical knowledge.
- A handout with top tips for the techniques covered in the class
- Glossary of key terms
- Materials pack for practising techniques
- Use of all top-of-the-range sewing tools, equipment and sewing machines
- Tea/coffee and biscuits
- 10% off full priced fabrics purchased on the day of your class.
We recommend you bring a phone with a camera on for taking your own photos of your samples throughout the session.
Claire Heath
Sewing has always been a huge part of Claire's life. As a child she was always making, crafting and fixing things. Her love of fabric and making drove her to study Textiles and Fashion Design at Leeds University. After graduating and gaining some invaluable experience in the fashion and textiles industry Claire realised her true passion was sharing her skills and knowledge of garment construction with others.
Claire has been teaching design as a qualified lecturer for well over a decade. She joined the g&g team shortly after the shop opened in 2013 as a workshop tutor. During her time with us she has taught countless workshops and has loved helping customers learn how to sew and create wearable garments that will become staples of their me-made wardrobe.
Dates & Times
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1:30pm 4 places remaining £49
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1:30pm 7 places remaining £49
