A few weeks ago I registered for the online course “The Couture Dress” by Susan Khalje.
It was highly recommended by me by Joana, one of the ladies from the “Brussels group” last year and with whom I spent the most enjoyable bra sewing Saturday 2 weeks ago.
The course includes Vogue pattern 8648, which makes it extra worthwhile, but even without the pattern the course is worth every cent you pay for it (personal opinion!).
Until yesterday I have only been watching the lessons and didn’t do any work on it myself. I now can not recommend this class enough, it’s the next best thing to having a personal lesson from Susan Khalje. The video’s are clear, Susan is a very experienced teacher (apart from being a master of sewing of course) and explains very clearly what she's doing, how and why. The video's are long, she takes her time, no rushing through steps. Couture isn’t about rushing either!
I haven’t finished watching all the lessons, I have a few more to go. This is not a beginners course and it involves a lot of work to make a dress like this. Susan uses a plaid fabric for construction and gives a lot of tips and tricks for matching the plaids as well, a real bonus. If you’re a more experienced sewer (I think I am) there are some things you know already of course, but a lot of new things as well. The underlining and the process how and why were almost all new to me, I have never done that before.
This is a screenshot from all the lessons included and the length of them.
As it takes all this work, I think I’ll make a black dress, as one “ought” to have a basic black dress in the wardrobe and these are no techniques to make a one-season dress. After all the work you have to put into it, you will want a dress that will last a bit longer than that, at least, that’s how I feel about it. And some of the techniques can be used for other garments too, they don’t apply to a dress only.
I will be posting about my progress, though it won’t be a continuous line of posts as I will take my time with this too and probably will do a few things in between because I want to fit the muslin together with someone else and because I don’t have all that I need yet. I have to buy fabric for it and see whether I have enough silk organza. It will be a great experience to do this. I’ll tag my posts with “couture dress”.
Stay tuned if you’re interested.
I am definitely interested and look forward to reading more about your progress through the course and black dress.
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I'm interested too. Just got to find the time to take it.
ReplyDeleteI took this course earlier this year and I loved every minute. I learned a huge amount and I hope you get as much as I from it.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read all about your progress through this project. It sounds very interesting. And fun too!
ReplyDeleteSounds great, Sigrid. I will be following. I am going to sign up as well. My dress will be a long term project as well.
ReplyDeleteI signed up and got my pattern a couple of weeks ago. I have looked at some of the lessons and they do look good - I just need a clear date in the diary to work on this. Will use my black wool crepe I bought from Linton Tweed.
ReplyDeleteI've signed up too! It's hard to find waxed marking transfer paper. This will definitely slow me down!
ReplyDeleteI took this course and loved it. There is a LOT of hand-sewing for the lining. I learned a lot and got a dress that fits really well. I can't wait to see yours.
ReplyDeleteI have signed up for this one too. Been watching the videos and can't wait to get started!
ReplyDeleteBe careful with the shoulder width. A woman I took the fit clinic with said that she took the course and made the dress. It falls off her shoulders and she does not have narrow shoulders. I did suggest she use lingerie straps.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your progress reports.
I've just signed up for this class, and I'm watching the videos for now, but I'll be following your progress. Susan is a great teacher and I love her videos.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing this course too. I am finding it a revelation. I notice you posted about carbon paper. I bought some online from America from Richardthethreads. It was the same as the sheets Susan uses.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great course. I watched all the videos, but did not make the dress. The one thing I did not agree with Susan on was leaving the wide seam allowances on the wool dress after fitting was complete. Her daughter was tall and thin and the extra bulk probably was not an issue for her. I felt it would be on me.
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