Couture Sewing Class…Week 1

Susan Khalje is back in Katy for the 4th year to teach her couture sewing class.  Most of the students have enjoyed her class all four years so it’s just like a small family reunion-lots of hugs and catching up!  Two new ladies joined us this year- Cari and Justine.  

Standing-Liz, Jamie, Claudia, Meredith, Cathy, Cari and Ronnie Seated-Justine, Susan, Diane and Eileen Photo credit: Myk, husband of Liz

So lets take a peek at the couture projects…..

First up is Liz and Vogue 1398.

Liz did a great job with the muslin and working on getting those scallops in just the right proportion.  She will complete her dress using red linen and red silk charmeuse lining.

Jamie’s project was a historical corset complete with grommets and busks.  She selected a lovely purple and black polka dot silk faille.

Claudia decided on a coat-Marfy 3219.  She is using a heavy cotton which is perfect for our South Texas weather.

 

Love the pocket detail! Claudia’s sewing machine wasn’t very happy when it was time for topstitching.  So of course, sewing sister Ronnie (told ya we are like family) volunteers her machine.  Beautiful!

Meredith is the young’un in the group. She choose the Georgia Dress from By Hand London.  Meredith used a printed silk faille.

 

Only a hand picked zipper will do in a couture dress….

Cathy (Meredith’s Mom) also made a coat. Her pattern was Vogue 1320 an Issey Miyake design. Cathy combined a boucle’ with Ultra suede piping. The piping highlighted the yoke and brought out the burgundy color in the fabric. 

And of course she will use bound buttonholes!

 

This was Cari’s first time in the Couture Class.  

She selected Susan’s Cocktail Dress Pattern.

 

Cari’s fabric is a stunning midnight blue beaded lace with an ice blue satin back crepe.  Cari will be the talk of the New Year’s Eve Party!!!

Ronnie drafted her own pattern to make this fabulous designer dress.

 

She is using black lace trim with light periwinkle silk satin back crepe!  How gorgeous is that?!

Justine, also a first-time student, collaborated with Susan and draped a stunning “wiggle dress”.  The fabric is an imported stretch satin in a steele grey color.  This will make heads turn at the next party!

Diane used a design from Chanel’s Couture collection 2011 for her inspiration. (Sorry, I didn’t get a pic of it.) She used a Marfy pattern for the top and a Simplicity pattern for the skirt.  Her fabric is a stunning black organza with grey embroidery and white 3-D flowers.

Making separates will give Diane wardrobe options.  Couldn’t you see that top worn with a suit?!

 

Ronnie drafted a classic pencil skirt pattern for Eileen.  The fabric is a fabulous peach/metallic copper lace underlined with peach silk satin back crepe.  She will complete this outfit with a peach charmeuse blouse. 

Eileen carefully hand tacked the lace to the satin.

See where the hand picked zipper will be?  No?  Because the beautiful floral pattern will lap over that seam.  Those are the little touches that make the difference and why it is called couture……

 

We LOVE Susan’s couture class here in Katy Tx.  So much so that she is still here teaching a 2nd class with all new students.  There will be more inspiring work to share next week.  Stay tuned….