Make Your Own Wardrobe with Cal Patch (OCT 28 - NOV 1)
*OPTIONAL BOARDING HOUSE ROOM RESERVATION (THIS HOLDS YOUR SPOT, ROOM FEES + TAX DUE AT THE END OF YOUR STAY)
October 28 - November 1 (MON-FRI, 9 AM–4 PM)
If you’ve always dreamed about creating patterns based on the measurements of your own beautiful body, here’s your chance! Using techniques from her book, Design-It-Yourself Clothes, Cal will break down the process of drafting basic patterns for a boxy woven top, a knit T-shirt, and a lounge pant—all custom-fit to your unique shape and size. Then, you’ll learn how to take those patterns and stylize them into endless variations. For each of the three styles, you’ll draft a pattern, make a muslin, fit and correct your pattern, and finally sew one or more finished garments. Before you know it, you’ll have a whole new hand-made wardrobe, and leave with the skills to make the clothes you envision.
Skill level: Advanced beginner to intermediate. Students must be comfortable using a sewing machine. Intermediate and advanced sewists are also welcome, and can take on more challenging projects. No previous pattern making experience is necessary.
Materials needed:
Sewing Machine, with at least zigzag stitch or ideally with stretch stitches
A pad of 18 x 24″ paper, or a roll at least 14″ wide (newsprint or drawing paper)
Pencil, sharpener, eraser
See-through 18″ ruler
Optional: Hip curve or French curve tool
Tape measure
Scissors (for cutting paper)
Clear tape
2-3 yards light to medium weight woven fabric* (for boxy top/tunic/dress)
2-3 yards muslin or inexpensive woven fabric* (for boxy top/tunic/dress muslin) Note: all muslins can most likely become "wearable muslins"
2+ yards cotton jersey or similar knit fabric** (for T-shirt) (i don’t usually pre-wash jersey)
2+ yards inexpensive jersey/knit** (for T-shirt muslin)
2-3 yards medium-weight woven fabric* (for pant)
2-3 yards inexpensive medium-weight woven fabric* (for pant muslin)
Thread (all-purpose) to match all final fabrics
2-4 yards elastic (1-2” wide) for pants waistband(s)
1-3 yards 1/2" single-fold bias tape to match woven shirt fabric (or make your own)
Basic sewing kit: scissors, pins & cushion, seam ripper, tailor’s chalk
*All woven fabrics should be washed and dried in dryer to pre-shrink
**It’s up to you if you want to pre-wash your knits; cal often doesn’t because the resulting curling can make fabric difficult to cut. You can try test-washing a swatch to check shrinkage and curling.
MEET YOUR TEACHER
CAL PATCH has been making, designing, and teaching all things textile-related since 1991. She sews, crochets, embroiders, spins, prints, knits, dyes, and more. Cal owned a boutique for four years, which showcased her own and other local Indie designers’ work, and she opened a wonderful craft school in 2002. She offers classes in the Hudson Valley and travels to teach at retreats and events like Squam Art Workshops, the Makerie, and Lucky Star Art Camp.If you have any questions about your class or supplies, feel free to email Cal at cal@calpatch.com in advance.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Please note our 2024 cancellation and refund policy includes a non-refundable $100.00 registration fee per workshop. In the case must withdraw, you have 8 weeks prior to class for a full tuition refund, less the registration fee. After this date all payments are non-refundable, no exceptions. Thank you for your understanding!
Have a question about a HD workshop or class order? Email hdretail@harrisville.com.
Single Rooms, $70 Per Night
Please note, the boarding house is for class participants only.
With spectacular views of town from its third-story perch, our boarding house offers bright, airy accommodations just a few minutes’ walk from the studio, shop, and general store with cafe. Year after year, returning students remark upon the peaceful camaraderie they enjoy winding down after class in the spacious common areas, and the fun conviviality of cooking family-style dinners in the kitchen. In addition to a living room, dining area, and full kitchen, the boarding house has six bedrooms and two full bathrooms.
Built in 1853, Cheshire Mills Boarding House provided lodging for workers at the mill for over 100 years. Today, Harrisville Designs is dedicated to maintaining an economical nightly rate to help ensure the cost of lodging is affordable during workshops and classes throughout the season.
Harrisville Designs is happy to provide towels, sheets, and pillowcases for an extra $20 per stay (please order ahead). However, students are more than welcome to bring their own linens. Pillows and blankets are provided. Reservations can be made while signing up for class. We do apologize, it’s an old building. There is no elevator and two flights of stairs. Please pack accordingly.
Alternative Housing & Dining
Harrisville is a small village (pop. 1200) with a post office and general store/cafe across the street from the studio and Boarding House. Harrisville is a short drive from Peterborough (15 minutes away) and Keene (20-25 minutes away); both offer a nice variety of hotels, shops, and restaurants.
Additional accommodations in Harrisville are available at Aldworth Manor and the Harrisville Inn and at local Airbnb’s including the Harrisville Guest Suite. Peterborough accommodations are available at Cranberry Meadow Farm, the Jack Daniels Motor Inn, and the Little River Bed and Breakfast. Options in Keene include the Carriage Barn Inn, the Best Western Plus, the Fairfield Inn & Suites, the Holiday Inn Express, the Courtyard by Marriott, and Days Inn. We also suggest searching Airbnb and Vrbo.
Location
About Our Workshops
Nestled in the heart of a historic textile village, workshops at Harrisville Designs take place in the Bethuel Harris Mill. Built in the 1830s as a spinning mill for locally raised wool and located at the end of the canal, it originally operated on water power. Today, it’s home to our first-floor retail store and spacious second-floor workshop studio. Year after year students are greeted by sunlit windows, fresh air, and tranquil views of the mill pond and preserved industrial brick buildings.
Workshops vary in skill levels and lengths. Enrollment is limited to ensure each student is immersed in the atmosphere of a working studio rather than a classroom. Most scheduled classes meet from 9 am to 4 pm; however, the studio is open to students 24 hours a day while their class is in session. Looms are provided in the weaving classes, and woolen yarn and other materials are included unless otherwise noted in the materials lists online. While taking a class, students receive a 10% discount on HD items in our store, including looms! (Excludes sale and consignment items)
Have a question about a HD workshop or class order? Email hdretail@harrisville.com.