from One Pattern:
A Wardrobe Story for Girls
One Pattern. Endless Possibilities. A Wardrobe Filled with Meaning.
There’s something special about creating clothing for a child—something that goes beyond fabric and thread. In From One Pattern: A Wardrobe Story for Girls, that simple idea is transformed into a meaningful, creative journey.
Join expert tailor Corrie Burger for an inspiring, hands-on experience where one carefully chosen pattern becomes the foundation for an entire collection of dresses. Throughout this multi-day class, you’ll explore how small changes—like adding sleeves, adjusting proportions, incorporating ruffles, or playing with fabric choices—can completely transform a single design into a wardrobe full of personality.
With Corrie’s guidance, you’ll not only create multiple finished garments, but also gain a deeper understanding of fit, construction, and customization. Her tailoring expertise brings a level of polish and confidence that will elevate your sewing far beyond the basics.
Whether you’re sewing for a daughter, granddaughter, or someone dear to your heart, this class is about more than making dresses—it’s about telling a story through each stitch, and walking away with skills you can use for years to come.
📍 September 9 - 13, 2026
Meet the Instructor
Corrie Burger
Corrie Burger is a talented South African needlework educator and designer who relocated to the United States following her retirement—an exciting new chapter that coincided with the birth of her granddaughter. She now resides in Brentwood, Tennessee, near Nashville, where she enjoys sharing her passion for sewing with a new community.
Corrie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Northwest University in Potchefstroom, South Africa, and went on to complete a Master of Education in Adult Education and Training. Over the course of her 33-year teaching career, she was deeply dedicated to ensuring that every student who entered her classroom left with a solid foundation in sewing and the confidence to explore a wide range of techniques.
In addition to her teaching career, Corrie spent three decades as a designer and garment maker for a single executive client, creating an exclusive wardrobe of custom-made pieces. Garment construction comes naturally to her, and she now channels that same skill and love of detail into making beautiful dresses for her granddaughter and friends.
Patchwork and quilting have long been a part of Corrie’s creative journey, and today they play a central role in her life. Through quilting, she has built lasting friendships that have brought comfort and joy, especially as she settled into life in a new country.
Sewing and teaching remain Corrie’s greatest passions—illuminating every part of her life and inspiring all who have the privilege of learning from her.
About the Class
From One Pattern: A Wardrobe Story for Girls
This is a multi-day, hands-on garment sewing experience designed to build both skill and confidence in a supportive, creative environment.
Under the guidance of expert tailor Corrie Burger, participants will work from a single dress pattern of their choosing and create multiple finished garments throughout the retreat. Each day introduces new design elements and techniques—such as sleeve variations, ruffles, trims, and fabric combinations—allowing every dress to take on its own unique look and personality.
Level: All Levels Welcome
While this class is open to all skill levels, a basic familiarity with sewing and using a sewing machine is recommended. This is an especially wonderful opportunity for quilters who have always shied away from garment sewing—Corrie’s step-by-step guidance and tailoring expertise make the transition from quilting to dressmaking both approachable and enjoyable.
This class is structured to meet you where you are. Whether you’re newer to garment sewing or already comfortable at the machine, Corrie provides individualized instruction to help you refine your skills, improve fit, and elevate your finishing techniques. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how to adapt and customize a pattern, giving you the confidence to recreate and expand on these designs long after the retreat ends.
Participants will purchase their own pattern and fabrics in advance, ensuring each project reflects their personal style and vision. By the end of the class, you’ll leave not only with a collection of beautifully made dresses, but also with the knowledge and ability to turn one pattern into endless wardrobe possibilities.
Is This Class Right for You?
This class is a great fit if you:
✔️ Have basic sewing machine experience (you don’t need to be advanced)
✔️ Are a quilter who’s always wanted to try garment sewing—but didn’t know where to start
✔️ Love the idea of turning one pattern into multiple unique designs
✔️ Enjoy learning new techniques in a relaxed, supportive environment
✔️ Want to create meaningful, handmade clothing for a child in your life
You’ll feel especially at home in this class if you’ve been curious about dressmaking but felt intimidated by fit, construction, or pattern adjustments. With guidance from expert tailor Corrie Burger, those barriers quickly fade, replaced with confidence and creativity.
This class may not be the best fit if you’ve never used a sewing machine before—but if you have even a little experience, you’ll be supported every step of the way.
What You’ll Accomplish:
By the end of this class, you won’t just have learned new techniques—you’ll have a finished collection to show for it.
✨ Create multiple dresses using one pattern, each with its own unique style
✨ Complete garments that are thoughtfully constructed and beautifully finished
✨ Build a cohesive “wardrobe story” for a special young girl in your life
✨ Gain confidence in working with garment patterns and making design changes
✨ Walk away with projects you’re proud to gift, keep, or showcase
Each dress you create will reflect your personal fabric choices and design decisions, making every piece truly one-of-a-kind.
Skills You’ll Learn:
With guidance from expert tailor Corrie Burger, you’ll develop practical, repeatable skills that go far beyond this class:
🧵 How to confidently work from a garment pattern
🧵 Techniques for adjusting and customizing a pattern
🧵 Understanding fit and proportion in children’s clothing
🧵 Adding design elements such as sleeves, ruffles, and trims
🧵 Combining fabrics and colors for different looks from the same base design
🧵 Clean finishing techniques that elevate your garments
🧵 Tips and tricks from a professional tailor to improve accuracy and results
These are skills you’ll continue to use long after the retreat—giving you the ability to take any simple pattern and turn it into something truly special.
Photo Library
Materials & Supplies
Provided by Instructor:
To support your success and make the experience as smooth as possible, Corrie Burger will provide:
✂️ Step-by-step instruction and daily demonstrations
✂️ Personalized guidance to help with fit, adjustments, and design choices
✂️ Professional tailoring tips to elevate your garments
✂️ Ongoing support throughout the class as you progress on each dress
✂️ Expert insight into how to adapt one pattern into multiple unique designs
Corrie’s hands-on teaching style ensures that each participant receives the attention and encouragement needed to grow their skills and complete their projects with confidence.
Provided by 50 Acre Woods
At 50 Acre Woods, every detail is thoughtfully designed so you can focus on creating, learning, and enjoying your time away.
🛏️ Comfortable Lodging
Beautiful accommodations in a peaceful, wooded setting
Cozy beds, quality linens, and inviting shared spaces
A welcoming environment that feels like a retreat—not just a class
🍽️ Meals & Hospitality
Delicious, home-prepared meals served daily
Snacks and refreshments to keep you energized while you sew
Dietary accommodations available upon request
🧵 Fully Equipped Sewing Space
Spacious 5-foot individual workstations
Comfortable rolling chairs
Excellent lighting and multiple design walls
Cutting stations and ironing stations available for shared use
Power access at each table (including USB options)
📶 Modern Conveniences
High-speed Wi-Fi
Large-screen TV for demonstrations or group instruction
A space designed for both creativity and connection
🌿 The Retreat Experience
50 acres of peaceful countryside to relax and recharge
Walking trails and quiet outdoor spaces
A supportive, welcoming atmosphere where lasting friendships are often made
What to Bring:
To make the most of your experience, please come prepared with the following:
🧵 Sewing Essentials
Sewing machine in good working order (recently cleaned/oiled recommended)
Power cord, foot pedal, and any specialty feet you like to use
Basic sewing supplies: pins, clips, scissors, seam ripper, marking tools, measuring tape
Thread to coordinate with your fabrics
📐 Pattern & Fabric
Your chosen dress pattern (appropriate for a young girl)
All required fabric and notions as listed on your pattern
Optional: additional fabrics or trims if you’d like to create variations (ruffles, sleeves, accents, etc.)
✂️ Helpful Extras (Optional but Recommended)
Rotary cutter and small cutting mat
Extra needles for your machine
Ironing supplies if you have favorites (stations are available onsite)
Notebook or binder for notes and pattern adjustments
Design inspiration, photos, or ideas you’d like to explore
A Few Notes
You’ll be making multiple dresses from the same pattern, so consider bringing enough fabric (or coordinating options) to allow for creative variations.
Pre-washing your fabric ahead of time is highly recommended.
If you’re unsure about your pattern or fabric choices, feel free to reach out in advance—we’re happy to help guide you.
Ready to Join Us?
Spots for From One Pattern: A Wardrobe Story for Girls are limited, and this is a truly unique opportunity to learn from expert tailor Corrie Burger in an intimate, retreat-style setting.
Whether you’re ready to expand your skills, finally step into garment sewing, or create something meaningful for a special young girl in your life—this is your moment.
✨ Come for the class.
✨ Stay for the experience.
✨ Leave with skills, confidence, and a wardrobe you created yourself.
Reserve your spot today and be part of something truly special at 50 Acre Woods.
Preparation Instructions
Choose your quilt.
Decide whether you’ll be using a finished quilt or piecing new fabrics specifically for your coat. Aim for something that reflects your personality—bold, scrappy, or subtle and classic!
Pre-wash and press your fabrics.
Wash and press any fabrics you’ll be using for binding, or accents to ensure accurate cutting and professional results.
Gather coordinating supplies.
Bring your favorite notions, matching thread, and any special trims or buttons you’d like to incorporate into your coat or bonus Cross Body Bag.
Class Details
Dates: September 9 - 13, 2026
Time: Arrive anytime after 3:00 PM on September 9, 2026. Orientation will begin after dinner at approximately 6 PM.
Instruction will begin at 9:00 AM on September 10, 2026 (Thursday)
Check-out is anytime in the morning on September 13, 2026
Location: 50 Acre Woods, 3419 Jarman Hollow Road, Palmyra, TN 37142
Cost: Approximately $599, This includes lodging, 3 meals/day, sewing amenities, taxes, and all the fun you can bring!
Skill Level: All Levels
Testimonials
“Corrie has such a calm, encouraging way of teaching. She meets you right where you are and helps you see what you’re capable of without ever making you feel overwhelmed. I walked away feeling more confident and inspired than I have in a long time.”
— Stephanie M., Brentwood, TN
“I am a quilter and I was always intimidated by garment sewing. I have gained so much confidence. Corrie’s instruction is clear, encouraging, and I actually finished projects I’m proud of. The whole experience was just incredible.”
— Amanda T., Franklin, TN
“There’s just something special about learning from Corrie. She has a way of explaining things that makes everything click, and she’s so patient and attentive. It felt like she genuinely cared about each of us and our experience.”
— Rachel K., Murfreesboro, TN
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