About Us
Italian Dressmaking School produces a teach yourself pattern making manual and ruler for makers, fashion students and hobbyists across Southern Africa.
Established in 1961 by Irene Sansalvadore, Italian Dressmaking School now run by her granddaughter, has been at the forefront of women's education in sewing and pattern making.
The school provides people with the opportunity to learn patternmaking and sewing using a method that is less cumbersome than the traditional method of pattern production.
Traditionally, patterns are drawn in the standardised 32/34/36 etc. sizes. These uniform sizes leave little in the way of different shapes for varying body sizes. Irene’s system, which is still a favourite method of patternmaking, uses the body’s own measurements to draw up, from the start a pattern for the individual body type, allowing for a far better fit.
Italian Design Publishers has focused its attention on a better learning experience through its detailed user manual to cater for a diverse group of women and men across the country.
We support small independently run sewing schools in Southern Africa with the skills for teaching local communities.
