The Couture School Day 1

               

Here is a day by day run down of my experience at the Susan Khalje Couture School.  Going off my notes from class but I think it will give a basic idea of the process.

First got together and shared fabric choices and pattern.  Here is just a sampling of students and their projects. 

 Wendy did a lovely dress in a fabric I can't quite describe except for exquisite.  The color was a gray/green so beautiful.

 Sarah (of Goodbyevalentino.com) worked on a dress for her daughters wedding.  Must go to her blog and see how beautiful it turned out.

 Nel shared some of the most unique and gorgeous fabrics with us.  She worked on a few projects, my favourite being a purple velvet jacket.

 Had to show this fabric.

 Diana decided to work on two French Jackets.  One for herself in this fabric and one in black for her daughter.  Really perfect.

 Leisa (achalengingsew.com) here showed the fabric for her motorcycle jacket.  It turned out so nicely.  A little peek of Norma (orange lingerie) with silk on her lap for a camisole. 

 This was a fabric Leisa gave to Cissie who made a beautiful outfit.  Check out pattern review for the finished product.

The majority of these amazing fabrics came from Mendel Goldberg Fabrics, NYC.  

This is the pattern and the fabric I used. 

    

Put on my muslin for a first fitting.  My left hand side was fit by Susan as you can somewhat see in the picture.  I then transferred the changes made on the left side to the right side of the muslin.

The waistline was adjusted for sitting about an inch above my natural waistline.  

The skirt fit seemed pretty good, though we worked with the pleats in front so they would lay flat.  

Traced the muslin onto my silk organza using large sheets of tracing paper.  Susan Khalje has the tracing paper in multiple colors.

Then thread traced organza to my fabric.

I used every last inch of my fabric.

The Couture School

When I came across this picture of the muslin fitting for this dress I made from Susan Khalje's Couture School I was so amazed at the metamorphosis (large word for process of change!).

Muslin

To this!

Final

Ivory to White Lace

I had to share a find here.  I have been dying lace since, forever.  This piece of lace was ivory and I wanted some white lace.  With what I had on hand I knew that I would never be able to get this piece white.  As a whim I tryed out this Rit whitener, and wha la!  It worked as this lace is really white.  Wish I had taken a before picture, but I really didn't think it would work out. 

A Fun Read!

This book was recommended to me by Sally, as a very interesting look into the making of the Pink or Raspberry (Chanels words) suit for Jackie Kennedy.  A very enjoyable, light read, for the summer with interesting details of the making of this unique garment.  Once again Sally you educated me on what I thought was an original Chanel Suit.....     

chanel jackets

 I thought it would be fun to see these finished jackets from the beginning to the end.

 


Joanne's beautiful jacket!

 


Sherry looking elegant!

       


Check out Karen's blog:  fiftydresses.com!

 

Holly, young and beautiful!

 

Myra, stunning!  The pearls make this outfit complete.



All of these women look like they stepped out of a showroom.  Knowing the work involved they all deserve lots of credit!  This jacket is universal for all women.  

Chanel

This is a book that I have really enjoyed.  I got this from LintonTweeds.com who have supplied Chanel and other designers for years with beautiful fabrics.  It is very interesting and goes into a lot of history, which I enjoy.  It will make you appreciate all that goes into couture garments.  

Pressing Supplies

I was so excited to get his package in the mail from Stitch Nerd.

 While at the last Susan Khalje class I saw two of the largest hams I have ever seen from Cissie and Leisa.  It was so nice to use and I decided to order one.  I liked this Paris fabric so much that I sent in two of my pressing tools to be recovered and added a mitt and extra long pressing sleeve.

 Here is the reverse side.  I am very happy with my little pressing family here and will show how I am using them occasionally.  Stitch Nerd does a great job and I would highly recommend their products.
    

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