Sewing Couture Techniques - Your Couture Journey, Adding Couture Techniques To An Existing Pattern, Gathering Inspiration

Hi Everyone! In Part 4, we wrap up the course with some final thoughts on gathering inspiration and incorporating the techniques learned into your existing pattern collection. As I mentioned at the beginning,  you may not use these techniques in all your sewing projects, there are many ways to adapt them to the world of smaller scale doll clothes sewing and construction.

Melinda, the designer of the Melody Valerie Couture brand, is concluding this topic with a wrap up of the art of sewing couture techniques. 

Gathering inspiration is an organic, fascinating process. Nature, street style, your favorite cup of coffee, that fabulous embroidery on a museum quality gown, the hem finish on an opera cloak. A color, sound, motif. If you don’t already keep a design notebook, I suggest starting one – it’s a great place to gather these fleeting ideas before they disappear, and a fabulous way to refresh your artistic sense when you’re looking for new ideas.

I always find technical inspiration by browsing museum collections, high-end department stores, and course texts. It’s amazing what you can learn, by carefully observing the high-end garments you have access to. Don’t be afraid to examine whatever you have access to, and see how others have solved their particular problems, which edge finishes they used, and what effects different seams produced. If you find a technique you love, write it down, do a sample, or work it into your next project. Keep experimenting with methods to fit your needs and artistic goals. Looking "up" to other sources that are more technically advanced than you, is a great way to keep your skills growing; for artistic inspiration, look "out" to the world around you. Remember, anything can be sewn couture.

As Claire Shaeffer, one of the greatest couture sewing<span> teachers of our time, says, “If you can sew, you can sew couture.” Take time, slow down, hold the fabric in your hands and hand sew where you can. By really taking the time to plan out your project, work a few samples, and do your best to take your craftsmanship and precision to a new level, it’s my hope that you’ll produce even more beautiful pieces of doll clothing and, enjoy the process as well. Thanks so much for joining me!

 

Suggested Patterns For this Topic: 

• LJ Boomerit Falls Jacket
• LJ Piccadilly Peacoat
• LJ Ginza Girl Coat
• LJ Lace Overlay Tank Top
• LJ Abbey Road 
• LJ Opening Night 
• LJ Starlight Gala 
• LJ Hello Oscar 
• LJ Sheath Dress
• Any MVC pattern, each demonstrates different types of couture techniques from french seams to bias bindings. Read the descriptions to get more detail.

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