Thread Den

Alterations, Fitting and Mending from Thread Den on Vimeo.

Tessuti is running a sewing competition - they’ve chosen a classic plaid fabric – Skylines for competition entries to be made from. 

Entry guidelines nice and simple: Basically, make whatever you want! Something that you want to sew, something that you (or a child, friend, partner or lovely person in your life) might like to wear and something that suits the fabric. You can sew an original design or use a pattern – the choice is ALL yours!  The submitted garment outer fabric must be made entirely in the competition fabric (no complementary/contrast fabrics). Unless made from the competition fabric, no trims or embellishments (e.g. embroidery, beading, smocking etc.)  are allowed and you cannot dye the fabric. Regular closures such as zips and buttons are permitted.

Email photos of your entries to [email protected] (Subject heading: Skylines Competition).  As entries are received, Tessuti will upload images to their competition Pinterest board. 

First Prize is AUD1000 cash and Second and Third places will respectively win a $500 and $250 Tessuti gift voucher. The winning prizes are all quoted in Australian dollars and competition is open to both local and international entrants. Entries close 11:59pm AEST Monday 9th April which gives you just under eight weeks to go sew!

Full terms and conditions - click here.

One of our Thread Den member’s Kim has already entered her make -

Do you know what these little critters are? 

Come along to our Vintage Hair and Beauty Workshop on Sunday 25th March when we create the classic finger waves of the 1920s.  All shall be revealed...

If you like treasures of decades gone by paired with your hand sewn beauties, you'll be very excited to hear that this weekend is one of Melbourne's biggest Vintage Sales.

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th Mar. 10am to 4pm each day.  At Como House - click here for more details.  

More Vintage

You'll probably see a couple of your lovely Thread Den teachers there! If you want to learn more, you can also book in for the Vintage Fashion Collecting & Op Shopping Talk that Laura gives right here at Thread Den.  Or if you are inspired to make clothes from old patterns you can book into the workshop where we cover Understanding & Using Vintage Sewing Patterns.

Themes and dates of our Vintage Hair & Beauty Workshops with Miss Lee for the first half of 2018:

1920s Marcel waves & Clara Bow lips. 25 Mar.

1930s Hollywood sirens. 14 Apr.

1940s Post war glamour with Victory rolls & statement lips. 5 May.

1950s Classic brick set & wing tips. 26 May.

1960s Smokey eyes & beehives. 17 Jun.

Whether it is; perfect pouts, alluring eyes, pin curls, Victory rolls or finger waves, there is something delightful about immersing yourself in an era gone by.

The Vintage Clothing Sale at Como is back again for 2018.  Put this in your diary now - 

17 Mar 2018 10:00 am — 4:00 pm

18 Mar 2018 10:00 am — 4:00 pm

“With all quality, real vintage and carefully curated items that you won’t find anywhere else.All pieces are donated with some being particularly rare. There will be everyday clothes as well as formal garments, hats, gloves, belts, handbags, scarves, jewellery, fashion books, materials and collectibles for women, men and children.All proceeds from the sale will go towards furniture, furnishings and critical conservation projects for Como House.”

Como House

Williams Rd & Lechlade Ave, 

It is a combination of book club and sewing club. Purchase a copy of the book when booking in or bring your own copy. We'll be working through the book's content in the best order for our projects (with demos and samples) - All while you make your choice of the 23 dress instructions included!

Pattern paper, calico and thread for your toile is provided.

The book features all the info a sewist could need when it comes to fabrics, construction, customisation, closures, hems, inner structures, built-in crinolines, and more.

4 weeks starting Wednesday 28 Feb.

Book Now! - Click Here.

Thread Den's pattern drafting program is designed to enable you to be creating and producing garments designed by you. Learning to pattern draft will open up a world of unique style and creativity that you will have for a lifetime.

Our program is made up of individual courses: 

The Skirt - January 2018 (last minute tix discount now online)

The Bodice - April 2018

The Torso - July 2018

Five week course developed by Jenni

Over the five week course students will:

Draft and fit a skirt block to your own measurements

Cover styles including: A Line, Pencil, Circle Skirts

Design gathers and wraps

Learn about darts and princess seams

Draft splits, pleats, gores

Enhance designs with different pockets, zips, other closures, waistbands, facings and more

We utilise a number of techniques; working on calico, pattern paper, cardboard, full size and in third size scale. You will build up a reference tool that you will have for a lifetime of pattern drafting.

Skirts start Thursday 18 Jan.

Meet Jenni - your pattern drafting teacher

Jenni's super powers comes from; Her  stand-up comedy experience! Her innovative fashion lifestyle brand - click here. Her years of experience in business, import/export , as well as sales and sales administration. Not to mention her education! Jen holds an Honours Degree, a Diploma and a cert 3 in Fashion Design. As well as a Cert 4 in Business Management.

Skirt inspiration:

Shell Top Inspiration! 

Summer Sewing Idea.