Sept 2026- 3-day Fitting and Pattern Making Retreat at Bosworth Hall (deposit) BODICE FOCUS
Escape, Learn, and Create in a Historic Setting
Join Us for a Skill-Packed, Creative Retreat!
Date: Wednesday 16th – Friday 18th September 2026
Venue: Bosworth Hall Hotel and Spa, The Park, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton CV13 0LP
Price: £495 (£200 Deposit payable at time of booking). Non-residential. Lunch and daytime refreshments included.
Full payment will be invoiced via email and payment is required one month before the retreat date.
Immerse yourself in a transformative 3-day fitting and pattern cutting retreat at the stunning Bosworth Hall Hotel.
This is your chance to refine your skills or start fresh in the art of fitting and pattern making, surrounded by like-minded creators in a beautifully historic country house.
At the MHW Fitting and Pattern Making retreat you’ll dive deep into the world of fitting and pattern cutting with expert guidance from Sarah Laws, designer of My Handmade Wardrobe Patterns, and Emma Smith, a seasoned tutor and passionate dressmaker.
Weather you want to create a fitted bodice block to use as a base for your designs, copy a garment you own and make it again and again, tackle any tricky fitting challenges or design and bring to life a dress or garment for a special occasion, your tutors, Emma and Sarah are well equipped and happy to help you achieve your goals.
We love welcoming new retreat attendees and many sewists return to us to build and develop their skills too!
What our customers say about our retreats…
“What a superb retreat. Location, accommodation, staff, facilities were all excellent nothing was too much. Sarah and Emma as tutors were fabulous. Their knowledge and ideas encourage and inspire you to have a go and create. We met as strangers with a common goal and left with new found friends with similar minds. I would recommend these retreats to anyone from beginners to experienced sewing fans. I find these weekends are full of lessons to learn, fittings to improve, methods to learn, laughter to share, friends to make all under the careful tutorage of Sarah and Emma. On my weekend, I worked on and finished a pair of self drafted trousers, Winnie culottes and made a lined denim jacket. Thankyou” - Jo - May 2025
"I had a brilliant time at the Retreat and learned so much! The course definitely met my expectations, and I came away completely inspired. I genuinely feel that the Retreat has given me a huge confidence boost, and that I'm at the start of an even more exciting part of my sewing journey." - Tina - January 2025
"I cannot thank you enough for the retreat, you really are a pleasure to be around. The retreat exceeded any expectations I had. The whole retreat was so well organised, so well thought out and the number of people present perfect. I've booked for May and can't wait!" - Teressa - January and May 2025
What’s included:
Materials: The MHW bodice block and fitting guide, Calico (up to 3m pp), pattern paper, card and a range of pattern making and fitting notes handouts.
Equipment: Specialist equipment including pattern masters, overlockers and irons and pressing tools are provided. Reference books are available to use.
We ask you to bring basic sewing tools and your own sewing machine as we find most guests prefer to use their own machines, however a small number of Brother F420 sewing machines are available to hire by prior arrangement for an additional £50 - please make a note in the booking form and Sarah will be in touch to confirm
Meals: Delicious lunch on days 1, 2 and 3, and refreshments with cake and biscuits throughout each day.
Extras: Access to a pre-event virtual meet-up, retreat attendees WhatsApp group
Accommodation is not included. However there are many fabulous places to stay in the charming Historic Town of Market Bosworth (see below for details)
Itinerary and Timings:
Day 1
9:30 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: Introduction to Pattern Making. Learn the basics, including the difference between a block and a pattern, how to determine your ease preferences, how to manipulate darts and move them around the body to create a 3D garment from a flat pattern. Engage in pattern experimentation using half-scale blocks.
12:30 PM: Lunch. Enjoy a delicious light buffet lunch while discussing your morning session with new friends.
1:30 PM: Beginners will focus on Bodice Block Creation. Take your own measurements and create a bodice block. You’ll then make a toile and fit your bodice, accompanied by discussion on best practices in pattern making. Those continuing their learning, will explore copying a pattern or creating your own design. This is ideal if you have joined us for the a block fitting workshop or pattern making retreat previously and want to start exploring pattern making further.
We finish day 1 at 5:00 PM
6:00 PM: Optional Group Dinner at Softley’s, a delightful local restaurant in Market Bosworth (approx. 5 minutes walk from the hotel)
Day 2
9:30 AM
Beginners will continue Block Development. Finalising fit, and finalising your block. Create, toile and fit a sleeve.
Continuers can develop their own designs. You can also create a mood board, design sketches, and 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 can also discuss fastenings, construction, finishing methods, and how to write your own instructions.
We finish day 2 at 5:00 PM
Day 3
9:30 AM: 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 - 4:00 PM: Final Touches and Next Steps. Complete your final design in toile fabric or your chosen fabric. Leave with a finished pattern, a bodice block on card, ready to use at home, and an inspirational mood board and/or design sketches. You may even leave with a wearable first toile or garment!
We finish day 3 at 4:00 PM when we will say farewell and conclude the retreat with new skills, newfound confidence, and a network of new sewing friends.
Max 10 spaces. Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your dressmaking and pattern cutting skills in a luxurious setting.