• ONE-DAY PATTERN CUTTING & SEWING MASTER CLASS:

    Explore Vintage Garment Details

    Create a selection of textile samples using processes made famous by Valentino, and inspired by Lanvin.

    Oxo Tower Wharf, London SE1

    Saturday 29th August 2026

    10.00am–5.00pm

    Book Your Place £90

    Limited to 14 Spaces

  • About The Masterclass

    Join fashion designer and educator Monisola Omotoso for a creative day of textile development, by exploring three vintage techniques.
    Section image

    Pagine (Pages)

    Made famous by Valentino
    The Pagine (pages) technique was developed and named by the Valentino atelier as it perfectly sums up the effect of the pages of a book being turned. It features circular layers of organza, stitched down at specific points that flutter like a stack of tissue paper as they move around the hem of a skirt, the cuff of a dress or on a cape.
    Section image

    Trapunto

    Inspired by Jean Lanvin
    Traditional Trapunto is a quilting technique created by stitching parallel lines or decorative patterns into fabric before introducing padding to produce a raised, three-dimensional surface. Contemporary machine-stitched Trapunto offers a precise and consistent finish, enhancing the fabric with sculptural texture, depth, and a distinctive quilted appearance.
    Section image

    Stuffed Trapunto

    Inspired by the Tristan Quilt
    Stuffed Trapunto is a traditional quilting technique in which stitched channels or motifs are individually padded by hand to create a raised, sculptural surface with exceptional depth and dimension. Combining precise machine stitching with meticulous hand stuffing produces a richly textured textile that highlights the beauty of the fabric through light, shadow, and relief.

  • What You'll Learn

    In this step-by-step class, I'll guide you through the following processes

    Pagine (Pages)

    • How to construct and finish individual organdie discs with accuracy and consistency.
    • Techniques for attaching discs to create movement, texture, and layered effects.
    • Methods for arranging rows to replicate the signature "turning pages" effect popularised by Valentino.

    Machine-Stitched Trapunto

    • How to create precise, evenly spaced Trapunto channels using a sewing machine.
    • Techniques for selecting suitable fabrics, padding materials, and stitch settings.
    • Methods for achieving a raised, sculptural surface with a professional finish.

    Stuffed Trapunto

    • How to stitch and prepare motifs for traditional hand-stuffed Trapunto.
    • Techniques for inserting padding to create depth, relief, and dimension.
    • Methods for producing richly textured embellishments inspired by couture and historical textiles.

    Who Is This Masterclass For?

    This workshop suits:

    • Anyone with basic sewing skills and a passion for innovative textile construction.
    • Fashion designers looking to incorporate couture textile techniques into their collections.
    • Textile artists interested in creating sculptural surfaces and dimensional fabric effects.
    • Fashion and textile students seeking to expand their technical and creative skill set.
    • Costume makers wishing to add depth, texture, and movement to garments.
    • Embroidery and embellishment enthusiasts ready to explore advanced fabric manipulation techniques.
    • Dressmakers and makers looking to elevate their work with luxury handcrafted details.
    • Creatives interested in the heritage and contemporary application of couture textile processes.

    What You'll Leave With?

    • A collection of professionally finished samples showcasing Machine-Stitched Trapunto, Stuffed Trapunto and Pagine.
    • The knowledge and confidence to recreate each technique independently.
    • An understanding of the materials, tools and fabrics best suited to each process.
    • Practical skills that can be applied to fashion, costume, textile art and embellishment projects.
    • A comprehensive workbook containing step-by-step instructions, tips and reference notes.
    • Inspiration for incorporating couture textile techniques into your own creative practice.
    • The confidence to experiment with texture, relief and dimensional surface design in future work.
    • A deeper appreciation of specialist couture craftsmanship and textile manipulation.

  • Before The Masterclass

    To make the most of the Stuffed Trapunto session, please bring a selection of inspirational images or a simple sketch of a design you would like to translate into a padded textile sample. Designs with clearly defined, enclosed shapes work best, as each section can be stitched and stuffed individually to create a well-defined three-dimensional effect.

    If you're unsure what to choose, don't worry, we'll provide guidance on the day and help you adapt your design so it works successfully with the Trapunto technique.

  • What To Bring

    Please Bring:

    • Your own sewing machine
    • Basic sewing kit (fabric scissors, paper scissors, pins, tape measure, pencils, ruler and pattern master)

  • What's Included

    Your Place Includes:

    • A selection of fabrics for each process
    • Trace & Sew Paper
    • Sewing thread
    • A full workshop workbook
    • Lunch, by Nutrition with Nina
    • Cake and refreshments at afternoon tea

  • Meet Your Tutor

    Monisola Omotoso is a London-based designer, lecturer and creative pattern cutter whose career spans fashion design, education and studio practice.

    She launched her namesake label in the 1990s, gaining early recognition when her Jac-Sac design was bought by Paul Smith, Duffer of St George and Jones while she was still a student at Middlesex University. Her collections went on to be stocked internationally, including at Browns Focus, Barneys New York and retailers across Japan.

    Alongside her own label, she has worked as a pattern cutter for brands including Birdsong London, Topshop Unique and Alexander McQueen, specialising in pattern cutting and garment construction.

    After qualifying with a PGCE in 2012, she began teaching at leading fashion institutions including London College of Fashion, the University of Westminster and Central Saint Martins, and she works regularly with the Victoria & Albert Museum on workshops and education projects that open pattern cutting up to wider audiences.

    In 2020 she launched Cut & Spread™, a series of pattern-making kits that have featured in collaborations with the V&A. Her work appeared at Somerset House in The Missing Thread exhibition (2023–2024), and her first book, Pattern Cutting Deconstructed: Wearable Art (Laurence King, 2025), is stocked by the Design Museum, the V&A, Waterstones and other leading booksellers.

    In her teaching, she pairs clear demonstrations with practical, hands-on help — so you understand not just how a garment goes together, but how a pattern can be reshaped and made your own.

    She qualified with a PGCE in 2012 and has since taught at leading institutions including the London College of Fashion, University of Westminster and Central Saint Martins. She also collaborates regularly with the Victoria & Albert Museum on educational masterclasses and creative learning projects. Her book Pattern Cutting Deconstructed: Wearable Art was published by Laurence King in 2025 and is stocked at institutions including the Design Museum, the V&A and Waterstones.

    Monisola’s teaching approach is rooted in clarity, creativity and technical confidence. She is passionate about helping makers understand not just how garments are constructed, but how patterns can be adapted, reshaped and reimagined.

  • Lunch, Sorted – And Made With You In Mind

    Both days, lunch is by Nina Sabat a Registered Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. Expect a freshly made bento – a generous main, lots of seasonal veg and a few colourful sides – real, balanced food that leaves you ready to sew, not snooze. Choose pescatarian or plant-based when you book, and flag any allergies on the form so we can do our best to accomodate.
    www.nutritionwithnina.com

  • Spend a Day Making, Learning and Creating

    Spend a day doing nothing but making. In the bright, riverside surroundings of Oxo Tower Wharf, you'll join a small group of fellow makers with the time and space to slow down, focus on your sewing and enjoy creating something entirely by hand.

    It's a day for anyone who wants to lose themselves in a project alongside like-minded people, and go home with a selection of vintage-inspired samples to show for it.

  • Book Now

    All
    Draping Videos
    Pattern printing Service
    Book
Cookie Use
We use cookies to ensure a smooth browsing experience. By continuing we assume you accept the use of cookies.
Learn More