Sportswear Maker Course

Lesson 1 • Anatomy of a Sportswear Garment

Breaks down garment components—panels, seams, closures, and trims—in a sportswear context. Provides shared vocabulary used throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Core Performance Requirements

Identifies functional demands such as moisture management, stretch, and durability. Links each requirement to specific design and material choices.

Lesson 3 • History and Evolution of Sportswear

Traces sportswear from early athletic dress to modern technical garments. Establishes context for understanding why performance and aesthetics co-evolved.

Lesson 1 • Technical Finishes and Coatings

Introduces DWR, antimicrobial, UV-protective, and compression finishes. Students assess how finishes alter fabric behaviour and care requirements.

Lesson 2 • Fabric Construction Methods

Explains woven, knit, and nonwoven structures and their mechanical behaviour. Students connect fabric construction to stretch, recovery, and durability outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Trims, Elastics, and Hardware

Covers performance-grade zips, drawcords, elastics, and reflective trims. Students select trims that complement fabric choice and end-use demands.

Lesson 4 • Fiber Types and Properties

Covers natural, synthetic, and blended fibres used in sportswear. Students evaluate each fibre's performance trade-offs for different activity types.

Lesson 1 • Outerwear and Shell Pattern Drafting

Adapts woven shell patterns for layering over base layers with full range of motion. Introduces hood, pocket, and vent pattern elements.

Lesson 2 • Drafting Base Patterns for Tops

Guides students through drafting fitted bodice and sleeve blocks for stretch fabrics. Covers neckline, armhole, and shoulder adaptations for athletic movement.

Lesson 3 • Pattern Adaptation and Manipulation

Teaches slash-and-spread, dart manipulation, and seam-line shifting for sportswear styling. Students modify base blocks into design-specific patterns.

Lesson 4 • Measurement and Size Grading Basics

Establishes body measurement protocols and size chart construction for active bodies. Accurate measurements underpin all subsequent pattern work in this chapter.

Lesson 1 • Marking and Transferring Pattern Details

Teaches accurate transfer of notches, drill holes, and construction marks to cut pieces. Correct marking ensures precise assembly in later sewing stages.

Lesson 2 • Fabric Grain and Layout Planning

Explains grain lines, stretch direction, and nap considerations for technical fabrics. Students create efficient layouts that respect fabric behaviour and minimise waste.

Lesson 3 • Workspace and Tool Setup

Covers cutting table preparation, tool selection, and fabric stabilisation methods. Proper setup prevents stretch distortion and ensures repeatable accuracy.

Lesson 1 • Machine Setup for Technical Fabrics

Covers needle selection, thread type, tension settings, and presser foot choices for stretch fabrics. Correct machine setup prevents skipped stitches and seam failure.

Lesson 2 • Assembling Tops and Bottoms

Guides sequential assembly of fitted tops and compression bottoms from cut pieces. Students apply correct order of operations to avoid distortion.

Lesson 3 • Stitch Types for Sportswear

Introduces overlock, coverstitch, flatlock, and zigzag stitches and their applications. Students match stitch type to seam location and stretch requirement.

Lesson 4 • Seam Construction and Finishing

Teaches flat-felled, bound, taped, and bonded seam methods for durability and comfort. Students evaluate seam choice based on fabric weight and end-use stress.

Lesson 1 • Diagnosing Common Fit Problems

Teaches identification of drag lines, pulling, gaping, and compression issues in stretch garments. Students trace each symptom to its root cause in the pattern.

Lesson 2 • Fit for Active Movement

Evaluates garment performance during squats, lunges, and overhead reach. Students confirm that corrections maintain function across the full range of motion.

Lesson 3 • Pattern Corrections for Fit

Translates fitting observations into precise pattern adjustments. Students apply corrections to the flat pattern and verify changes in a second fitting.

Lesson 1 • Compression Garment Construction

Addresses panel layout, graduated compression zones, and flatlock seaming for compression tights and shorts. Students calibrate fabric tension to target compression levels.

Lesson 2 • Sports Bra Construction

Covers cup shaping, band construction, strap attachment, and underwire or wire-free support systems. Students build low-, medium-, and high-impact bra variations.

Lesson 3 • Finishing and Quality Inspection

Establishes end-of-line inspection criteria for seam integrity, symmetry, and label placement. Students apply a structured quality checklist to completed garments.

Lesson 4 • Technical Outerwear Assembly

Guides construction of waterproof shells including seam taping, taped zips, and bonded hems. Students produce a fully weather-resistant outer layer.

Lesson 1 • Garment Costing Fundamentals

Introduces cost-of-goods calculation including materials, labour, overhead, and margin. Students build a cost sheet and identify levers for cost reduction without quality loss.

Lesson 2 • Creating Technical Specification Sheets

Teaches construction of tech packs including flat sketches, measurements, and material callouts. A complete tech pack is the primary deliverable for factory communication.

Lesson 3 • Sampling and Prototype Review

Covers proto, fit, and sales sample stages and the feedback loop with factories. Students write clear, actionable comments to guide sample revisions.

Lesson 4 • Production Handoff and Follow-Up

Covers pre-production meetings, bulk fabric approval, and in-line inspection coordination. Students understand their role in ensuring production matches approved samples.