What’s the difference between an ensemble that is appealing and one that is stunning? Why do some garments – despite beautiful fabric, proper fit, and good sewing techniques – fall short of being breathtaking? Why do some women look overpowered and stiff in their clothes while others look comfortable and graceful? What is it that really happens to push clothing into that "absolutely exquisite" category?

This six-day, intensive class will give you an opportunity to explore and understand the many facets of design and soft tailoring for women. We will study the elements of design and their interrelationship, including visualization and the value of sketching, flat pattern manipulation, draping, fabrication, engineering, fitting, and construction techniques as they pertain to soft tailoring. Mornings will usually be devoted to lecture and discussion, and afternoons will generally involve more hands-on tasks.

Following is an outline of how we’ll spend our days:

Morning: An in-depth look at style, design, fabrication, and the creative process.

Afternoon: The importance of sketching with a croquis that reflects the body for which you are designing and developing this croquis. Discussion of what students think they might want to design and construct; a lot of sketching; more discussion and generating ideas.

Morning: Explore the evolution of a personal style, whether it is for yourself, for a client, or for a line of clothing.

Afternoon: More sketching and further development of ideas. Learning to reign in a design that’s got “too much” going on, or “pushing” a design that’s falling short. Possibly start fitting.

Morning: The world of fabric and how to get fabrics to “work” for you. Further discussion of the elements of design and soft tailoring, including the importance of “engineering.” Trip to fabric store.

Afternoon: Show and tell. Delve into fabrics and swatches and how different fabrics/embellishments/trims might affect the outcome of garment(s). Continue to play with ideas and sketch. Fitting.

Morning: A look at the elements of “fit,” and discussion of draping and flat pattern manipulation, especially as they pertain to fitting.

Afternoon: Lots of fitting.

Morning: An in-depth look at sewing and construction techniques used to achieve soft tailoring. Begin/continue sewing.

Afternoon: More sewing, fitting, and problem solving.

Morning: Lecture on how a project develops and how to keep changes under control while still letting a project take on a life of its own. A lot of sewing and fitting.

Afternoon: Sewing and fitting.

Late Afternoon: A GROUP ASSESSMENT OF PROJECTS AND FAREWELL TEA

I recommend coming to the first class with a fairly complex project/ensemble in mind. But since this class is an exploration of the design process, you need not have your project completely thought out – in fact, you only need to have a general idea of what you’d like to work on. I do encourage you to deal with more than one garment. For example: (1) a jacket and pants and/or skirt; (2) a dress with jacket; or (3) pants to coordinate with two different jackets or tops. If you have fabric that you would like to use, by all means bring it with you.

Don’t worry about the sketching, even if you feel you don’t draw well. This is not a fashion illustration class. But sketches – think of them as working drawings – are an invaluable tool. Drawings are a great way to test design ideas and to help with visualization. I have an assortment of croquis that you may use, as well as a few references that show fashion illustration at an easy, simple level.

There are a number of hotels in the Hunt Valley area. Please visit the Accommodations page for a list. If you will not have a car, some of the Hunt Valley hotels have courtesy van service, and I can also help out with getting you to and from your hotel. There are plenty of nearby restaurants and two grocery stores that have a variety of prepared food.

A table and chair will be provided for each person, and pressing equipment and cutting tables will be provided for all to share. You will need to bring your sewing machine and a light, as well as your sewing notions, pattern, fabric for mock-ups, etc. You will be sent a complete supply list about a month prior to the class.

Producing a finished ensemble by week’s end is not the goal of this class. Understanding the intricacy and complexity of beautifully soft-tailored clothing is, which requires delving deeply into the many facets of the design process.

For more information and questions, please feel free to get in touch with me: