My First Couture Dress

Edited: This post has been edited to reflect the information Guest Blogger Carla meant to share.  Thanks Carla for updating the post!

I attended Susan Khalje’s Couture Dress class in August.  This was my first time taking the class and learning the couture techniques. I’ve sewn a lot over the years, but had never used couture techniques!  

I sew primarily for my daughter, so I chose a Vogue pattern 8922 (OOP). This pattern had a fitted bodice, flared skirt, and a set-in sleeve.  I especially wanted a sleeve as I have trouble fitting a garment on my daughter with a sleeve!  In the end, we made the dress sleeveless as the sleeve just didn’t work

The challenge of this dress was the many panels—6 in the skirt front, 6 in the skirt back, 6 in the bodice front, and 6 in the bodice back!  That’s 24 in total!  With all the steps of underlining, catch stitching seam allowances, hand-picked zipper, attaching the lining by hand, and hand under-stitching—the dress was quite an undertaking!  

I used fabric from Sew Much Fabric –Plum Diamond Wool now sold out (other wool fabrics here).  

I will definitely attempt future garments using these techniques—especially the muslin and fitting!