|
| I've been a competent intermediate level sewer for several years now. I take classes now and then at a local community college: draping, fit, pattern grading, tailoring, the like. But I am still pretty much unsatisfied with my performance. I want to make wonderful clothes, not merely adequate ones.
After some thought, I've decided that I am willing to travel to take classes from exceptional teachers. I'm looking at Susan Khalje's classes, Linda Maynard's classes, and possibly Claire Schaeffer, who I understand offers a yearly class in Palm Springs. Has anyone taken some of these classes? Can you recommend these or other couture-level sewing teachers? Please share your experiences and recommendations with me. Rosefolly |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by lazygardens (My Page) on Tue, Feb 15, 11 at 18:15
| "I am still pretty much unsatisfied with my performance. I want to make wonderful clothes, not merely adequate ones." ********** |
|
| I'd really like to be sewing at the couture level. I'm not. My recent garments don't look home made, but they don't have the level of polish I would like. My goal is to sew clothes I cannot afford to buy. ;-) |
|
- Posted by lazygardens (My Page) on Thu, Feb 17, 11 at 18:34
| The key to the "hand-made in Paris" look on the outside is a lot of hand detailing, seam basting, lining, interlining, interfacing, hand finishing seams, and meticulous pressing at every stage of construction on the inside. If you don't have it, find a copy of the 1970s Vogue Sewing Book. It shows how to do things like graded seams, rolled collar seams, rolled hems, floating linings, corded buttonholes, and all the other expen$ive detailing. And sew a lot of clothes. My SIL was a couture-level seamstress, and she made 2 or 3 items a week. She learned from her mom, who had learned in Paris from her landlady who had been a seamstress for one of the smaller design houses. When I want to make a couture-level item, I make a couple of them in less expensive fabrics of the same weight before making the real thing. That way I have the fit perfected and the bugs worked out of the construction process. |
|
| Patternreview.com has reviews of sewing classes, as well as patterns (and machines and stores and everything else for garment sewing). I didn't find a ton when searching on "couture" in the class reviews, but you could try by name. |
|
| Thanks, that is an excellent suggestion and I will follow up. |
|
| Check out Kenneth King. I took a wonderful moulage class from him years ago at our community college. He is a multitalented expert as well as an excellent teacher. He generously shares his knowledge. He wants you to understand and learn. I think he is great. At your level of sewing I think you would really appreciate what he has to offer. I have his "Designer Techniques" book. His instructions and illustrations are thorough and clear. Here is a link. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Kenneth King
|
- Posted by soonergrandmom (My Page) on Thu, Mar 10, 11 at 22:12
| Several years ago, I attended a presentation given by Claire Schaeffer and I thought it was fantastic. |
|
| Deb3, thanks. I actually have taken a couple of classes from Kenneth D. King. I took them a bit early in my sewing education and with weaker skills only got part of the benefit I would get now, I think. Nonetheless, the classes were inspirational. (I think it possible that you may live near me. He's in NY now, but for many years taught near SF.) Soonergrandmom, thanks also. I have the idea that Claire Schaeffer must be a wonderful teacher, and I hope to take a class with her someday. Rosefolly |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Sewing Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.