The second day in and I find myself adjusting to the incredibly different dynamic, pace and vibe this class is generating in comparison to last week’s French Jacket Class. There’s 12 people – all working on vastly different projects all needing Susan’s attention and instruction to get some momentum going on their own project, where as last week there was 9 of us – all working on the same thing and generally all at the same pace (slooow…. ha!). Considering the load, Susan does do a pretty impressive job at balancing everyones needs.
After prepping all my silk organza pattern pieces which have all been traced out using carbon tracing paper from the fitting-adjusted muslin pieces, I’m ready to lay out those pieces on my wool crepe:
In the background there is some amazing animal print Cavalli charmuese which is going to be sewn up as Vogue 1302 (a Kay Unger pattern) and I’m so curious to see how the ruching is going to turn out!
The open space on the floor of the carpet gallery is a very comfortable place to arrange and cut, and I find I don’t miss the usual process of cutting out precisely which sewing by the cut edge (instead of the actual seam line) requires – this method you can just hack loosely around your pieces and be done with it! The precision cutting required by the sewing process we all usually sew with is something I find oddly relaxing :) Being a newb to this method, I find myself erring on the side of caution and end up with the most gigantic of seam lines ever.
Once I’m done it’s all about the thread tracing.
And you know what? That takes me the rest of the day and a good part of that evening to complete. Pretty boring stuff for me to be reporting on, right?
But there’s so much going on in the background – like ogling the other ladies fabrics and projects… just check out this wool guipere, which is soon to be an evening dress:
I learnt that guipere (pronounced gwah-pier in an Australian accent) is specifically lace that doesn’t have a mesh backing. The sleeve you see on the right in the picture above was being ‘pieced’ – cut out and hand sewn in such a fashion so that you can’t see the join between the abutting sides.
Or how about this lace which will be sewn onto a little cocktail dress? I feel sorry for the person who probably went blind stitching the bazillion little french knots on every single one of those sequins:
So there’s no shortage of inspiration or conversation to be had. Fun all around!
poppykettle 
Thank-you Melanie for another interesting post on your classes in Baltimore. All those beautiful fabrics just melt my fabric heart!!!
There were some incredible fabrics, for sure. Thanks Marjorie :)
With all that loveliness around you, I would be too afraid to sneeze.
It’s funny you say that, because usually I would have my heart in my throat when contemplating cutting out such a fabric, but being in that environment seems to shield you from that fear!
So much work going into each garment – I bet they will all look lovely. I think I would almost be scared to cut into some of that gorgeous fabric!!
I certainly hope so, given the effort spent! Thanks Liz :)
I am really enjoying your thoughtful posts about your wonderful 2 weeks with Susan Khalje in Baltimore and seeing all the wonderful fabrics and creations.
Thanks Sharon, I’m so glad you’re enjoying reading them :)
I can just imagine the fun and excitement seeing all of the projects coming together. Can’t wait to see your finished project. By the way do you have any tips for sewing the lining at the sleeves on the French Jacket?
It’s hard to stay focused on your own project, for sure! Are you talking about at the vent, or around the cuff? I haven’t got to that part yet… but I would presume it’s much the same as sewing around the hem of the jacket?
I have been really enjoying reading your couture class posts so far, so thank you for continueing the journey! I can’t wait to see the finished dress! I am also really curious about the box of mystery fabric you mentioned in one of your previous posts :-)
Thanks Anne-Rose, so glad to hear it :) I’ll admit, the dress is a looong way off yet!
Wow, I really didn’t know that about lace! How interesting.
I thought so :) Thanks Rach!
Your hand basting stitches look amazingly even…..I bet even the hidden inside of this will look perfect the way you sew!
By that point I’d done so much thread tracing that I could do it both fast and half decently well. Practice really does make perfect, even when you’re not trying! ha!
Ha, and I have been pronouncing it in my head as gip-ear! Looks like another fun week for you.
haha, yeah, I always took a mental leap over that word even when reading in my head because I had no idea! Thanks Vicki :)
That lace is amaaaazing… actually they all are. So… intimidating! :)
I’ll admit, the first two days here were super intimidating. Don’t get me wrong – all the talented ladies were as friendly as could possibly be – but when you’re faced with so much awesome it’s hard not to freak out! Thanks Kirsty :)
mmm…. the “hack loosely around your pattern pieces” is super appealing to me! thread tracing, maybe not so much. ;-) such beautiful fabrics!
It’s the trade off, right? You can’t have both at the same time, unfortunately…
Sweet baby cheezels. That pink and grey guipere creation is a confection of glory! This looks like so much fun!
That’s one of the many descriptive words I’d use to relate the experience, for sure! Thanks Amanda!
That lace is insane. Thanks for posting about these classes. Super interesting. Your jacket looks incredible.
Thanks Erin! :)
Yay! I finally remember where is the comment thing! I´ve been reading your post and I can see you are learning a lot of the good stuff! I wish there were classes like that where I live! And the fabrics around you…Wow!
Very interesting posts!