July 2025- 3-day Pattern Making Retreat at Bosworth Hall

Course Overview:

From Thursday 3rd to Saturday 5th July 2025 you’ll dive deep into the world of pattern cutting with expert guidance from Sarah Laws, designer of My Handmade Wardrobe Patterns, and Emma Smith, a seasoned tutor and passionate dressmaker. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, you’ll leave with a perfectly fitted bodice, sleeve, and skirt block, along with a wealth of new skills and confidence to bring your designs to life.

Venue: Bosworth Hall Hotel and Spa, The Park, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton CV13 0LP

This timeless, elegant venue offers a luxurious retreat atmosphere, perfect for creative immersion. With spacious rooms and stunning surroundings, you’ll find it the ideal place to relax, learn, and create.

Find out more about the hotel at https://www.britanniahotels.com/hotels/bosworth-hall-hotel-spa/

Your Tutors:

Sarah Laws and Emma Smith will be with you every step of the way, sharing their extensive knowledge and ensuring you’re equipped with skills you’ll use for years to come. Both tutors bring a wealth of industry and tutoring experience.

What’s Included:

• Materials: Calico, pattern paper, card, and a comprehensive course handbook.

• Meals: Dinner on both nights, lunch on days 1, 2 and 3, and refreshments throughout each day.

• Accommodation: 2 nights at Bosworth Hall Hotel with a 2-course meal each night.

• Extras: Access to a pre-event virtual meet-up, exclusive WhatsApp group, and optional spa services at the hotel.

Itinerary and Timings:

Day 1 - Thursday, January 9th, 2025

• 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Arrival, meet and greet with refreshments. Start your journey by getting to know your fellow learners and tutors in a relaxed setting.

• 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Introduction to Pattern Making. Learn the basics, including how to manipulate darts and move suppression around the body to create a 3D garment from a flat pattern. Engage in mini toile experimentation using half-scale blocks.

• 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch. Enjoy a delicious light buffet lunch while discussing your morning session with new friends.

• 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Bodice Block Creation. Take your own measurements and create a bodice block. You’ll also make a toile and fit your bodice, followed by a discussion on best practices in pattern making.

• 7:00 PM: Dinner. Unwind with a 2-course meal at Jennys Restaurant in the hotel.

Day 2 - Friday, January 10th, 2025

• 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Design Development. Begin your day by developing your design and creating a pattern, or draft a sleeve and/or skirt block. You’ll also create a mood board and design sketches to refine your ideas into a working pattern. For those interested, bring images, garments, and resources that inspire you.

• 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch. Recharge with a nutritious lunch to prepare for an afternoon of creativity.

• 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Pattern Development and Toile Fitting. Continue working on your pattern, make adjustments, and fit your toile. We’ll also discuss fastenings, construction, finishing methods, and how to write your own instructions.

• 7:00 PM: Dinner. Relax with a sumptuous 2-course meal and reflect on the day’s progress.

Day 3 - Saturday, January 11th, 2025

• 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Design Creation. Use toile fabric or your own choice of fabric to start making your final design. Our individual fit and design clinics will fill in any gaps and address any questions you may have.

• 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch. Another delicious meal to keep you energised for your final afternoon.

• 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Final Touches and Next Steps. Complete your final design in toile fabric or your chosen fabric. Leave with a finished pattern, a bodice and skirt or dress block on card, ready to use at home, an inspirational mood board, and design sketches. You may even leave with a wearable first toile or garment!

• 5:00 PM: Farewell. Conclude the retreat with new skills, newfound confidence, and a network of new sewing friends.

Flexible Options:

• Residential Package: Includes accommodation, meals, and full course participation, with a comfortable room at Bosworth Hall Hotel.

• Luxurious Suite Option: Upgrade to a luxurious suite for an enhanced stay, offering extra space, premium amenities, and added comfort throughout your retreat.

• Non-Residential Package: Participate in the course during the day, with lunch and refreshments provided, while arranging your own accommodations nearby.

Why not bring a guest? Partners or non-sewing friends are more than welcome, and there’s plenty for them to enjoy in the surrounding area, including a visit to the historic Bosworth Battlefield, exploring the beautiful Bosworth Country Park, or discovering the charm of Market Bosworth with its quaint shops, cafes, and local attractions like the Ashby Canal and the Market Bosworth Railway. To arrange a twin room sharing with a guest who is not participating on the course please contact us.

Accessibility: Bosworth Hall Hotel offers several accessibility features to ensure a comfortable stay for all guests. The hotel provides a limited number of accessible rooms with wider doorways, lower beds, and bathrooms equipped with grab rails. The main entrance is wheelchair accessible with ramps and automatic doors, and lifts are available to access all floors.

The sewing room is fully accessible with plenty of space. Whilst Jennys Restaurant is accessible on the lower level, there are 4 steps up to the buffet area, so staff will be available to assist guests with mobility needs by serving food from the buffet. Designated accessible parking spaces are located close to the entrance for convenience.

For specific accessibility requirements, please let us know at the time of booking and we will contact Bosworth Hall Hotel before your stay to ensure all needs are met. This will help guarantee a comfortable and enjoyable experience during your pattern cutting retreat.

Directions to Bosworth Hall Hotel

Address: Bosworth Hall Hotel & Spa The Park, Market Bosworth Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV13 0LP, United Kingdom

By Car:

1. From the North (M1):

   • Take the M1 southbound.

   • Exit at Junction 21A to merge onto the M69 towards Leicester.

   • Continue on the M69, then take the A5 towards Hinckley.

   • Follow signs for Market Bosworth and the hotel will be on The Park.

2. From the South (M40):

   • Take the M40 northbound.

   • At Junction 15, merge onto the M42 towards Birmingham.

   • At Junction 7, take the M6 northbound.

   • Exit at Junction 1 for the A5 towards Hinckley.

   • Follow signs for Market Bosworth and the hotel will be on The Park.

3. From the East (A14/M1):

   • Take the A14 westbound and merge onto the M1 southbound.

   • Exit at Junction 21A to merge onto the M69 towards Leicester.

   • Continue on the M69, then take the A5 towards Hinckley.

   • Follow signs for Market Bosworth and the hotel will be on The Park.

4. From the West (M6):

   • Take the M6 southbound.

   • Exit at Junction 1 for the A5 towards Hinckley.

   • Follow signs for Market Bosworth and the hotel will be on The Park.

By Train: The nearest major train station, travelling on the Battlefield line, is Hinckley, approximately 5 miles from the hotel. From Hinckley station, you can take a taxi or bus to Market Bosworth.

By Bus: Market Bosworth is served by local bus routes. Check local timetables for services that stop near The Park.

By Air: The nearest airport is Birmingham Airport, approximately 30 miles from the hotel. From the airport, you can take a train to Hinckley or a taxi directly to the hotel.

Parking: The hotel provides ample on-site parking for guests.

For additional assistance or specific travel arrangements, please contact Bosworth Hall Hotel directly.

Book Your Spot: Secure your place in this unforgettable experience.

A deposit is required at the time of booking, the final payment is due1st June and you will be invoiced for this via email. Cancellations before May 1st, 2024, are fully refundable.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at myhandmadewardrobepatterns@gmail.com