Haute Couture Embroidery
Embroidery using techniques from haute couture is hugely popular at the moment, both among fashion designers and free artists, among laymen and professionals alike. It offers the opportunity to add a highly personal touch to any design, in a way unmatched by modern prints or intricate constructions. Haute couture embroidery techniques are an exciting combination of technique and material, where imagination and appearance together determine the choices made. The way to work a fabric with beads, sequins and threads in such a way that the light falls on it differently every time, is unique!
Dutch Couture Academy offers a training and course program both online and in the studio in Doesburg for beginners as well as for those who want to apply the technique professionally in their work (fashion or art).
Broderie d’Art focuses on working with different embroidery techniques and materials. Beads and sequins are a shining centerpiece. It is a new take on embroidery, where you not only work flat with needle and thread, but get acquainted with techniques that give your embroidery a 3D effect. You will work on a large embroidery frame. Different embroidery materials will be used, such as beads, sequins, chenille, raffia, metallic threads and silk embroidery thread with needle and thread, and sometimes with the so-called tambour needle or Luneville needle.
Courses at Dutch Couture Academy
For over ten years, Saskia ter Welle has been providing courses in broderie d’art. Trained at École Lesage, part of CHANEL, among others, she has not only mastered the technique and application of this specific fashion craft, but has also gained extensive experience in teaching, guiding fashion students and providing lectures and programs in various Dutch museums.
In 2017, she presented her first own couture collection COME FLY WITH ME during Amsterdam Fashion Week. In this collection, broderie d’art played an important role.
Who is Broderie d’Art interesting for?
In the video below, Saskia explains for whom this technique is NOT suitable and for whom it is WELL suitable. The video is in English:
Online or in the Studio
For those who want to get a solid foundation in the techniques of broderie d’art, I highly recommend the online course Roadmap to Successful Fashion Embroidery. This course is open to anyone with an interest in haute couture embroidery and especially for fashion professionals who want to learn about a traditional craft for haute couture. Further specialization and professionalization is possible by taking additional courses within the Couture & Craftsmanship Concept.
For several years now, the course offerings have also focused on helping other women find ways to build a life around this from a passion for craft and special techniques. A life that is partly possible thanks to the income that can be realized with it.
->This approach is unique
It is a combination of developing a professional attitude, finding one’s own handwriting in this, combining all personal talents and distilling a business from this with a fresh perspective. All the ingredients for this are brought together in the brand new (but already proven successful) program:
The Couture & Craftsmanship Concept- Broderie d’Art
There are many people who embroider. But there are not many who know how to transfer a FEELING to fabric. For that, you need skills. There is only one way to develop them: practice and challenge yourself every time. Be willing to constantly explore new possibilities.
With her varied background in the field of couture, the French language and knowledge gained at Ecole Lesage in Paris, working for couture designers in the Netherlands and presenting her own collection, Saskia ter Welle has in a short time conquered The Netherlands with her passion for glamorous embroidery. In the courses she was the first to teach in the Netherlands at various locations, including the Textile Museum in Tilburg, she noticed how many women were eager to further develop their creativity to enable a career change.
That’s why she decided to start a course that lays the foundation for a professional future from creativity. Her experience in working for other couturiers and creating her own collections allows her to relate to the design practice and not get stuck at the level of one new stitch or technique.
Module 1: Classics Revealed
In the first of three modules of this program around broderie d’Art, you will explore the world of haute couture embroidery through the classics: the classic stitches, classic designs and classic labels with their applications and ways of presentation.
The Couture & Craftsmanship Concept will help you master new techniques and apply them in different ways. You will learn not only how to embroider with the Lunéville needle, but also the basics of how, by using different materials, you can create an exciting image. You will learn how to choose materials, how to transfer patterns to fabric, and how to finish your embroidery.
Practice, Portfolio and Presentation
We work during this program according to the three Ps: Practice (of embroidery), Portfolio (collection of tangible evidence of your competence) and Presentation (skill in presenting your particular craft; telling your personal “story”).
And this is exactly what sets Dutch Couture Academy apart from other embroidery schools: we start with the technique, but immediately explore its relevance to your own unique work. We teach you how to turn an idea in your head into a concrete design. We help you find the right materials. This will allow you to work independently after this training.
In this program, my goal is to help YOU develop your skills in embroidery. You will discover if your talent is in this field and how you can possibly use this talent to generate income. This training with assignments and homework will challenge you to actively develop yourself further.
For whom?
The Haute Couture Embroidery course | Broderie d’Art is open to anyone interested in haute couture embroidery and especially to fashion professionals who want to delve into a traditional craft for haute couture. Further specialization and professionalization is possible by taking additional courses.
Note: it is important that you can see well. The use of glasses-loupe can be a solution for some. You can order glasses-loupe from the optician of the brand Eschenbach. Students who use these are very satisfied. Other brands are also available, sometimes with multiple lenses of different strengths.
This course can be an eye opener for:
- Anyone who likes to work with his or her hands
- Anyone who loves to crochet (the Lunéville or tambour needle is actually a fine crochet hook. With this needle you can easily apply beads and sequins to fabric, among other things
- Students HBO Fashion/Textile (Mastering Broderie d’Art has already been followed as a specialization within the training)
- Teachers HBO/MBO fashion/custom clothing/fashion design (embroidery for specialization in couture/theatre/film costumes)
- Students MBO fashion and tailor-made clothing (further develop in the direction of couture/theatre/film costumes)
- fashion designers
- Artists (combinations with textiles/ photography/ painting)
- Bags designers
- Jewelry designers
- Coupeuses
- Lovers of unique handicrafts
- Quiltsters
- tailors
- Anyone who wants to develop further in the field of textile processing
The Dutch Couture Academy has an extensive range of courses for traditional couture techniques in the field of sewing, pattern making and embroidery. The courses focus on developing artisanal ways of creating, working from inspiration and in a search for one’s own signature.
Interest is more important than background. An open admission policy applies to this course because I am convinced that everyone should have the opportunity to become acquainted with this special craft. The courses are given from a HBO working and thinking level.
Do you like special techniques and handicrafts? Do you want to increase your technical knowledge and skills? Are you eager to learn and are you looking for an inspiring environment?
Then sign up for this course!
The costs of this course are 995.00 euros, including VAT, including the supplies for making your first project, coffee, tea and lunch.
NOW: until September 9 you can sign up with a 200 euro discount: 795 euros instead of 995 euros.
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2. Mastering Broderie d’Art 1
craft
The Netherlands needs people who practice a craft. One of them is embroidery. Embroidery at the haute couture level is currently extremely popular, both among fashion designers and free artists, both among laymen and among professionals. It offers the possibility to give a very personal interpretation to every design, in a way that is not matched by modern prints or intricate constructions. The way to process a fabric with beads, sequins and yarns in such a way that the light falls on it differently every time is unique! Mastering Broderie d’art is a program that offers more than just the knowledge about embroidery stitches. You will actively research your personal talent and you will be given tools to make a professional plan.
Who is this training suitable for?
Are you looking for a training course on embroidery at haute couture level? Do you want to gain experience in working with others on a joint assignment? Are you willing to invest time in your future?
…then Mastering Broderie d’Art 1 something for you!
There are many people who embroider. But there are not many who can transfer a FEELING to fabric. You need skills for that. There is only one way to develop it: practice A LOT and challenge yourself every time. For that, you have to be willing to constantly explore new possibilities.
With her varied background in couture, the French language and knowledge gained at Ecole Lesage in Paris, Saskia ter Welle quickly conquered the Netherlands with her passion for glamourous embroidery. In the courses she gives in various places in the Netherlands, including the Textile Museum in Tilburg, it is striking how many women are eager to further develop their creativity in order to make a career switch possible. That is why she has decided to start a training course in which, in a longer process, with varied assignments and participation in projects, the foundation for a professional future is laid based on creativity.
Mastering Broderie d’Art 1 will help you master new techniques and apply them in different ways. You will not only learn how to embroider with the Lunéville needle, but also the basics of how to create an exciting image by using different materials. You will learn how to choose materials, how to transfer patterns to the fabric, and how to finish your embroidery.
Practice, Portfolio and Presentation
During this program we work according to the three P’s: Practice (of embroidery), Portfolio (collection of tangible evidence of your competence) and Presentation (skill in presenting your special craft; telling your personal ‘story’).
And this is exactly what sets the Dutch Couture Academy apart from other embroidery schools: we start with the technique, but immediately look for its relevance to your own, unique work. We teach you how to convert an idea in your head into a concrete design. We help you find the right materials. You can start working independently after this training.
In this program, my goal is to help YOU develop your embroidery skills. You will discover if your talent is present in this area and how you can possibly use this talent to generate income. This course with assignments and homework challenges you to actively develop yourself.
How do you get the most out of this program?
The program requires a serious investment in time. Only active commitment, making assignments at home and introducing questions will take you further. Interaction with other students is an important part of the learning process. Count on about 10 to 15 hours of homework per week.
When you have completed this program you will:
- understand what to consider when doing an embroidery job
- be skilled in working with the Lunéville needle
- able to embroider with a multitude of different materials
- know what makes embroidery interesting
- discover where your personal creative talent lies and how you can use it
- meet like-minded people with whom you can exchange experiences
- understand that this course is just the beginning of an adventure that never ends
- start building a portfolio (a folder with examples of your own embroidery)
- start building a professional network
- realize that true quality exists only by the grace of continuous practice and expansion of knowledge and skills.
Investment
First of all: time! In addition to the five teaching days, you can count on an average of 10-15 hours of homework per course day. This homework consists of working out assignments and daily practice with the Lunéville needle.
The tuition fee for module 1 is €2497, excluding VAT and including coffee, tea, haberdashery for the exercises and a fresh lunch. Excluding materials for your personal final assignment (estimated cost approx. €100,-).
The tuition can be paid all at once or in six monthly installments of €449.
It is also expected that you already have the Basic Package Embroidery Materials (frame, bobbin holder, twill tape and tambour-or Lunéville needle).
Other supplies:
- pen and paper (booklet) for notes
- old magazines (art, nature, fashion, interiors etc.)
- presentation foam board black or white, A1 format
- glue spray (re-positionable)
- old newspapers
- embroidery scissors
- paper scissors
- bead dish
Certificate
At the end of the last course day, a certificate are awarded to those who:
- has completed all assignments with a good assessment
- attended at least 80% of the course days
- and has demonstrated that he is able to interpret and elaborate embroidery according to instructions.
If you have any specific questions, please send an email to: saskia@saskiaterwelle.nl
Read the story of Janine below, after completing Mastering Broderie d’Art level 1:
Hello, I’m Janine Brabers and I’m from Leiden. I just followed a wonderful course with Saskia ter Welle in Broderie d’Art. It started because I was interested in Broderie d’Art and by chance I came across Saskia’s website. I thought: I would sign up for the first course. The first course was in Arnhem and that was immediately two whole days. In it I learned the basic techniques of Broderie d’Art. Among other things, we received training with the Lunéville needle and at the end of the lesson I said to Saskia: ‘That won’t be it.’ The beads flew in all directions, if I didn’t look, the thread would go out: it was one big misery. “Well,” she says, “that’ll be okay.” Now go and practice it at home.’ That’s how it was three weeks later. We had made assignments at home, so the second course, the Follow-up course, went a bit better. And I actually liked it so much that I signed up for the Mastering Broderie d’Art level 1 course.
I have now completed this course and I have learned a lot of techniques again. We received assignments to make a cover for an iPhone, for example. I liked working with color and I chose a lot of beads and sequins. I was also encouraged to get started on my own. For example, I embroidered a dragonfly for my portfolio.
The course lasted five days and what I loved so much was that it started as a hobby. I thought, ‘I like this.’ I can also make clothes that I can spice up a bit with embroidery. But that’s not how it works for me. It became more and more serious. The assignment to make a mood board of things I really like was an eye opener. Initially I started the next lesson with a collection of pictures of embroidery. That turned out not to be the intention. It also didn’t match who I am. All color was missing. I started thinking about this and discovered that I like big, colorful and a lot of craziness. These days have given me a guideline to develop myself in this. So parallel to Saskia’s program, where I was taught the basic techniques, I am discovering what fascinates me at home. I experiment with coarser materials and see how they hold up in the washing machine, for example.
The course encourages you not to regard what you are taught here at a very high level as a hobby. Of course you can, because no one is forcing you to approach it like a professional. But the course forces you to look very closely at your work. Positively critical, so that when I have worked with the Lunéville needle for example, I check whether it is good, and that I take it out and do it again. Those are the fun things I learned here. And I’m definitely going for level 2 because you get greedy in learning. I always come back from a pink cloud when I drive home. It’s not a small distance, but I’d love to do it every week. Thank you very much Saskia for everything you taught me.
I started with broderie d’art because I was very curious about all the techniques behind this beautiful and for me fascinating form of art, so that I can eventually use them in my own work.
Somewhere in the process of this course I made the conscious decision to stop constantly comparing myself to others and focus on how I can put my own spin on my work and show a piece of myself in it.
Plus, I’ve learned to just tie the knot! I have come to realize that if necessary, I can adjust every decision along the way. If I couldn’t, that would feel very limiting to me. Now it is actually very liberating. My design is a guideline, a point of reference, but secretly everything remains open until the end. –Mandy van den Berg
Upcoming modules
After rolling out the updated version of Module 1 of the haute couture embroidery training, Module 2 (fall 2022) and 3 (spring 2023) will follow.
Module 2: Discover Your Style Power
Module 3: Matamorphosis by Design
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Couture education
The program of workshops, masterclasses and training at Saskia ter Welle is aimed at professionals in the fashion industry who are looking for an opportunity to specialize in couture techniques. In the courses, a balance is sought between technique and inspiration, between knowledge and skill and artistic expression. Discovering one’s own handwriting is seen as crucial in the distinctive craftsmanship of each student.
