We're stepping into one of the most valuable skills any dressmaker, pattern cutter or garment maker can learn: understanding the body and creating a bodice block that truly fits. No matter what you love to sew—everyday clothing, bridal wear, historical costume, tailoring or couture—it all begins with a solid foundation. And that foundation isn't fabric or thread... it's understanding the person you're creating for. Throughout these sessions, we'll explore how to take accurate body measurements, interpret those measurements, and use them to draft a personalised bodice block. A bodice block (sometimes called a sloper) is a simple, close-fitting pattern that represents the unique proportions of the body. It isn't a finished design, but it is the starting point for countless garments. Once you have a well-fitting block, you can adapt it into dresses, blouses, jackets, bodices and so much more. Along the way, we'll be discussing topics such as: 📏 How to take accurate body measurements 📐 Understanding balance, posture and body shape 🪡 Drafting a personalised bodice block ✏️ Common fitting challenges and how to identify them 👗 Turning a basic block into your own garment designs ✨ Why commercial patterns don't fit everyone—and how to make them work for you One of the most rewarding parts of learning pattern cutting is that it changes the way you see clothing. Instead of simply following instructions, you begin to understand why a garment fits, how seams create shape, and where adjustments make the biggest difference. Whether you've been sewing for decades or you're just beginning your dressmaking journey, these skills will help you build confidence and create garments that fit better, feel better and reflect your own creativity. We'd love to hear from you! 📏 Have you ever drafted your own bodice block? 📏 Do you usually rely on commercial patterns, or have you experimented with pattern drafting? 📏 What's the biggest fitting challenge you've experienced when making clothes?

As we continue our journey through the history of corsetry, we arrive at a fascinating period where structure, elegance and craftsmanship became increasingly intertwined. By the 17th century, the earlier "pair of bodies" had evolved into what we now recognise as stays. These garments were becoming more refined, more structured and increasingly important to fashionable dress throughout Europe. One of the most common misconceptions about historical corsetry is that it was always about creating a tiny waist. In reality, the fashionable silhouette of the 1600s was very different. The goal was a long, smooth torso, upright posture and a cone-shaped silhouette that supported the elaborate gowns of the Baroque period. Rather than emphasising curves, stays helped create a controlled and elegant line beneath clothing. The construction itself was becoming increasingly sophisticated. Makers used materials such as: 🌿 Reed 🌿 Cane 🌿 Buckram 🐋 Baleen (commonly known as whalebone) 🪡 Linen 🪡 Wool 🪡 Silk and decorative brocades One particularly important development was the growing use of baleen. Despite its name, whalebone wasn't actually bone at all. It was a flexible material taken from the baleen plates of whales, offering the perfect balance between strength and movement. This made it ideal for creating the support required by increasingly elaborate garments. The 17th century also saw the widespread use of features we still associate with corsetry today: ✨ Boning channels ✨ Lacing systems ✨ Structured shaping ✨ Waist tabs for movement ✨ Reinforced construction techniques For anyone interested in historical costume, dressmaking, tailoring or couture, studying stays offers valuable insight into how garments achieve shape and support. Many techniques used in modern corsetry can trace their origins directly back to this period. As makers, it's easy to focus on the outer garment, but these hidden foundations are often where the real engineering takes place. I'd love to hear from you: