Create Your Couture Closet Workshop

This 6-day workshop will begin with a skirt or dress pattern custom designed and drafted to fit and flatter your figure, or Vogue Pattern 7881 for a custom fitted pant.

Claire Shaeffer, a Couture Connoisseur, will bring in Haute Couture and high end ready-to-wear garments from her extensive collection to explain the techniques used, and allow students to inspect the garments close up, inside and out!

Couture techniques for hand applied zippers, fly front zippers, a variety of waistbands and waist stays, closures, pockets, darts, seam finishes, linings, underlinings, fabric selection, weighted and interfaced hems and professional pressing will be demonstrated and discussed. Students will make samples of their favorite techniques. The book Couture Sewing Techniques will be used as a reference for haute couture techniques.

Information on color, contrast, scale, fabric knowledge and selection, and sewing ergonomics will be discussed throughout the week.

Each student will be fit in their personalized muslin, resulting in a customized pattern that can be used again and again! Students will start on their own pants, skirt, blouse, or dress. Faster sewists will be well on their way to completing their projects by the end of the workshop. Slower sewists should get a very good start. Detailed finishing instructions will be provided for each student.

Muslin and sample supplies included. Many sewing tools and a limited number of machines are available for use. Students will need to bring fashion fabric, lining, and trims (a detailed supply list will be provided upon registration or request). Select fabrics, tools, and notions will be available for purchase. Full supply list will be provided upon discussion of your project. Additional info available upon registration or request.