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In Skirt Skills, you’ll be thoroughly introduced to each step of the custom process- while hand crafting the custom-fit skirt of your dreams. You’ll also create reusable tools for your custom sewing future.
Follow-up Course!
A follow up to Skirt Skills – get some new experience under your belt by creating your own custom-fit trousers and jeans.
Follow-up Course!
A follow up to Skirt Skills – gain some upper body strength as you learn to map your top half and craft custom-fit tops that are tops!
When I’m not teaching online courses, I’m making custom couture bridal gowns (and pants!) for women of all shapes and sizes.
Follow along as I meet my brides and design, sew, and finish each step – with oh, so many photos! Get lost in the details and learn new techniques.
TOP CLASS
Ready to take your skills beyond skirts?
TOP CLASS is a custom sewing eCourse exclusively for Skirt Skills alums.
Gain some upper body strength as you learn to map your top half and craft custom-fit tops that are tops!
Top Class is all about designing and handcrafting your own Size-You custom tops. It shares a new drafting system I’ve developed without using any standard measurements, only info from your body.
We’ll make ourselves three custom-fit top blocks while learning to create our own patterns and sew up all kinds of custom-fit top styles- from relaxed to fitted.
Then, follow along as I create tops for myself from start to finish- sharing new mix-and-match construction techniques. Choose your favorite block, design features, and construction methods to start and complete your own custom tops (and/or dresses)!
Top Class builds upon everything learned in Skirt Skills.
→ Already a TOP CLASS member? Login here.
5-Week eCourse
includes
- 22 Days of Instruction
- 50 Videos (12+ hours!)
- Small Private Classroom
- Personal Support
- Self-paced options
- "Forever" Access
NOTE! Skirt Skills is a prerequisite for Top Class. You must take Skirt Skills prior to registering for Top Class – you will not be able to begin the course without your prior work from Skirt Skills.
Follow-up Course!
TOP CLASS
Upcoming Session Info:
2025 ENROLLMENT opens:
Friday March 14, 2025
at ~10amET
Course Dates
Orientation opens: March 28
Lessons begin: March 29
Work with the optional 5 week schedule OR anytime at your own slower pace with forever access.
New! Top Class 2 – Currently In-Production – More details soon
Is this course right for me?
TOP CLASS takes your skills to the top!
This class helped me accept my body irregularities with more insight, versus having to rely on what the industry was telling me with poorly fitting clothes. I definitely recommend this class!
I had decided after I had kids, and my body became something very non-“standard”, that it just wasn’t worth the effort to attempt to make my own clothes. After working with Brooks Ann, I’m extremely excited that I can start sewing for myself again!
My favorite part about patternmaking and sewing is that there are so many ways to get the same end result, and this class definitely reinforced that notion!
What do I need for class?
Tools, Materials & Supplies for TOP CLASS?
First, supplies from SKIRT SKILLS
We will continue to use most of the tools and supplies from the Skirt Skills Supplies List. Re-visit the list below!
OPTIONAL ITEMS
from Skirt Skills that would be helpful in Top Class
Recommended:
- A French Curve
- Needlepoint spiky wheel
- a cardboard cutting mat (or something similar, if you don’t have a pinnable top table like mine)
- access to a printer
- a camera
- a tripod (or some way to take a photo of yourself without using your own hands)
- hand basting needles
- a thimble
- a Clover needle threader
NEW ITEMS
for Top Class
We will use:
- Your completed custom Skirt Block from Skirt Skills
- Your completed custom Skirt Block Mockup from Skirt Skills
- a well-fitting bra (if you wear a bra)
- a close fitting tank top that does not obscure the armhole area
- several sheets of cardstock or heavy paper (I don’t have a new weirdo tool for you to purchase, but we will be using this paper to make a few of our own…)
- A hand mirror (and/or second full length mirror that can be seen from the first)
- small dot stickers
- 5-6 safety pins with ~1/2″* opening (to correspond with the size of the elastic * to wrap around your body)
- round elastic
Optional items:
- two extra measuring tapes
- Thread Magic or beeswax
- a long separating zipper (as a mockup closure)
- a short small inflexible ruler like this one
- a wrist pin cushion
- a protractor
- an angle locator
- a pattern notcher
- a sleeve board
TOPS MATERIALS
Top-making Time!
We will add:
Near the end of class, you will need the materials for the first top you will make. During the previous lessons, we will discuss and help pick out and purchase exactly what you are going to use.
Here is most likely what you will need:
- Top Fabric: yardage depends on your design. Just as in Skirt Skills, we will be working with woven fabrics only. (No knits or stretch fabrics!)
- matching thread
- an invisible zipper
- white pencils (if you are working with dark fabric)
- bias tape makers (1/2″ or 1″…)
- etc….
All Amazon links are affiliate links. Ordering directly from this page will earn a small commission for me at no additional costs to you. I appreciate your support!
Watch the TOP CLASS Tools & Supplies Lesson:
Bonus link from this video: DIY Professional Sewing Room Table
Ready to get started?
The 5-week session starts in March.
If you’ve completed Skirt Skills, keep an eye on your email inbox and/or visit the ALUM INFO & UPCOMING COURSES page on your Student Dashboard for registration details.
If you haven’t taken Skirt Skills, check it out here and join the Skirt Skills mailing list to be notified about the next session of its prerequisite course!
NOTE! Skirt Skills is a prerequisite for Top Class. You must complete Skirt Skills prior to registering for Top Class – you will not be able to begin the course without your prior work from Skirt Skills.
I so appreciate the time and involvement Brooks Ann puts into her students. Her approach is both professional and thought out.
Brooks Ann’s approach was perfect for me. Her daily videos broke the process into steps that allowed me to focus on one thing at a time instead of getting overwhelmed with too much at once.
Learning how to create custom garments with quality materials has changed the way I view clothing…and myself: well-fitting clothes are such a confidence booster!
Follow-up Course!
TOP CLASS
Upcoming Session Info:
2025 ENROLLMENT opens:
Friday March 14, 2025
at ~10amET
Course Dates
Orientation opens: March 28
Lessons begin: March 29
Work with the optional 5 week schedule OR anytime at your own slower pace with forever access.
New! Top Class 2 – Currently In-Production – More details soon
Explore the Coursework
In Skirt Skills, you’ll be thoroughly introduced to each step of the custom process- while hand crafting the custom-fit skirt of your dreams. You’ll also create reusable tools for your custom sewing future.
Follow-up Course!
A follow up to Skirt Skills – get some new experience under your belt by creating your own custom-fit trousers and jeans.
Follow-up Course!
A follow up to Skirt Skills – gain some upper body strength as you learn to map your top half and craft custom-fit tops that are tops!
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