The following, privately run short courses, are taught by Rowena Luke-King online.

COUTURE HAND SEWING - PROM DRESS

QUARTER SCALE VINTAGE FASHION DOLLS

With a maximum of six in each online class, a second camera over her hands,
recorded demonstrations and dedicated WhatsApp groups to offer support between lessons,
Rowena creates a warm and welcoming environment for learning via Zoom.

Each course has its own set of detailed handouts
and for those of you who are left handed, mirrored stitch diagrams are available on request.

New courses are added as they become available, so do keep an eye on this page
and/or sign up for Rowena’s newsletter,
by filling in the second form at the bottom of this page.

COUTURE HAND SEWING - PROM DRESS will build on techniques practiced in Couture Hand Sewing - Sample Book as you work in silk to produce a series of specialist samples and a boned bodice prom dress in quarter scale.

Adapted from her miniature Cocktail Dress pattern, this dress will have a fully lined princess seamed bodice with a gathered skirt and net petticoat. Tiny bones will be constructed and inserted into flat fell seams and you will be shown how to adapt the pattern to include a train for bridalwear.

Whilst investigating different types of silk and exploring the challenges of working with black thread on black silk and white thread on white silk, you will be introduced to different support fabrics and linings. You will learn how to applique lace; layer sheer fabrics such as chiffon and tulle; add nylon crinoline for a more structured hem, insert a miniature zipper and make miniature pads to add volume at the bust.

As a feature of this course you will learn how to make wired and gathered fabric flowers in full scale as inspiration for miniature embellishments; how to design layouts for sequinned, beaded and/or ribbon embroidered motifs, and engineer a design ready to embroider directly onto a miniature bodice shape.

A WhatsApp group will be set up offering you ongoing support and trouble-shooting tips between lessons, and an opportunity to swap favourite books and suppliers with your fellow students.

Please note that working with luxury fabrics requires a more practiced level of hand stitching
which you will have acquired by studying on any of my other hand sewing or embroidery courses.

Price: £575.00 for nine two hour lessons on ZOOM with a maximum of six attendees.

Dates: Wednesday 1st October - 26th November 2025 from 10.00am to 12pm UK time (one place left).

Or: Thursday 2nd October - 27th November from 6.00pm to 8.00pm UK time.

Equipment and materials are excluded from the price of this course,
however the list of what you will need to purchase will be kept to the absolute minimum
and some specialist materials will be provided.

A kit to make your own quarter-scale tailors dummy, to fit and display your prom dress on,
is included in the price of this course.

Quarter Scale Prom Dress by Rowena Luke-King

Please note that this course is not offered as Individual Tuition.

QUARTER SCALE VINTAGE FASHION DOLLS combines doll making and garment construction in miniature.

Inspired by Théâtre de la Mode, Rowena Luke-King has created specifically for this course, a beautifully proportioned pattern from which to make a cloth doll whose vital statistics are that of a standard UK garment size 12, reduced to perfect quarter-scale. Using needle sculpture to enhance her shape; embroidery to add facial features and polished nails; dyed flax, wool tops or yarn for her hair, once inserted with wire she will be able to stand on her own and bend her limbs into a pose.

With the vintage-style quarter-scale dress pattern provided, you will be guided through the accompanying written instructions as you stitch it together, either by hand or a mixture of hand and machine. You will be shown how to adapt your dress pattern to create different styles, use the original doll pattern to make trousers and panties and will use a variety of media and found objects to create matching miniature accessories.

A WhatsApp group will be set up offering you ongoing support and trouble-shooting tips between lessons and an opportunity to swap favourite books and suppliers with your fellow students.

Please note that working in such tiny detail requires a more practiced level of hand stitching
which you will have acquired by studying on any of my other hand sewing or embroidery courses.

Price: £625.00 for ten, two hour lessons on ZOOM with a maximum of six attendees.

Dates: Thur 8th January - 12th March 2026 from 6.00 - 8.00pm UK time (1 place left).

Or: Wed 7th January - 11th March 2026 from 10.am to 12.00pm UK time.

Equipment and materials are excluded from the price of this course,
however the list of what you will need to purchase will be kept to the absolute minimum
and some specialist materials including fabric for the doll will be provided.

This beautiful quarter-scale doll was created by Trudy Grant whilst studying with Rowena at Central Saint Martins.
Trudy’s doll is wearing a vintage dress pattern; McCall’s 4885, reduced to quarter-scale.

Please note that this course is not offered as Individual Tuition.

Terms & Conditions: You must be over 18 to attend an online course with Rowena Luke-King. Exceptions are made for under 18s who are about to turn 18 while preparing an A-level portfolio for application to art college. Your place on an online short course will be confirmed once full payment has been received. Your payment is non-refundable unless under exceptional circumstances, however in the event that you are unable to attend a course that you have booked a place on, every effort will be made to offer you alternative dates for the same course or an alternative course.

Online Courses take place on ZOOM with additional support via Email and WhatsApp, so please check that you have good internet connection before booking. You will be expected to work on your projects in your own time between lessons and will need to buy equipment and materials, the cost of which will be kept to the absolute minimum.

Prices, dates, terms & conditions are subject to change. Please check details before booking.

If you have any questions before booking a place on any of the short courses outlined on this website
please contact Rowena by completing and sending the form below.

If you’d like to follow Rowena Luke-King on Instagram
please click on the picture below.

MORE ABOUT YOUR TUTOR