2023 Master Classes

Draping: the Essentials and Beyond 

Presenter: Catherine Stephenson

2 Day Master Class - Lecture/demo with hands-on workshop
Difficulty: Beginner

Kit Fee: $10
Kit Includes: 1/8” tape roll, handouts on draping techniques (basics)

Description:

This 2-day Master class is designed for the professional who wants to have training and hands-on experiential learning in the fundamental principles of how to drape clothing along with general draping skills. Students will work directly on a full size dress form. Students will learn dress form and muslin preparation, and muslin manipulation to drape a basic 2-dart bodice, darted skirt, and sheath dress drapes, along with trueing the muslins to create the pattern. Building on this foundational framework, students will advance to more complex draping including dart manipulation, radiating pleats, added fullness, cowls and bias. The goal of this class is to familiarize students with draping techniques that will enable them to continue to explore design through draping in their own studios. Students will work with both muslin in the basic drapes and muslin or suitable fashion fabric in the more advanced drapes. Each student will work on a life size dress form and at a personal workstation. Instructional handouts for the drapes will be provided in the class kit.

Supplies Needed: Minimum 5 yards muslin, sharp pencil and sharpener, tape measure, 18” long/ 2”wide clear plastic grid ruler, French Curve, small L-square, Hip Curve (optional), 4-5” scissors, cutting scissors, straight pins (NO ball point or frills), wrist pin cushion (best), 3-4 yards drapey SOLID, light color rayon type fabric for day 2 (does not need to be expensive fabric), notebook pad.

Casual Couture Jacket

Presenter: Helen Haughey

2 Day Master Class - Lecture/demo with hands-on workshop
Difficulty: Intermediate

Kit Fee: $15
Kit Includes: Basting needle, cotton basting thread, silk organza (for facing), Petersham, printed instructions

Description:

This might just become your favorite jacket! It is the perfect piece to add to your wardrobe and depending on where you live you might even wear it all four seasons! However I did originally develop this garment for wearing in hot and humid climates. The combination of fabric and construction technique minimizes heat absorption and radiation. A light weight cotton bouclé is used and is open at the front for maximum ventilation. However, the fabric has sufficient inherent body to keep its form without help from any type of closure.

The jacket has a hybrid formal/casual application and can be worn from the office to an evening event or paired with jeans, depending on the accompanying apparel and accessories. The joy is completed with a feeling of luxury resulting from the silk charmeuse binding on all seam allowances.

You could also use wool Bouclé or other fabrics such as cashmere or lace.

Supplies Needed: Sewing machine, pattern (I suggest Vogue 7975), cotton bouclé fabric, silk charmeuse for binding (approximately 0.5 yd), rotary cutter and cutting mat, thread pins, ruler.

Bridal Alterations from Shoulder to Hem and the pesky ones in between

Presenter: Brenda Breitenmoser

2 Day Master Class - Lecture/demo with hands-on workshop
Difficulty: Intermediate

Kit Fee: $35
Kit Includes: 1/2 scale dress per 2 participants, printed materials and an assortment of supplies