Dutch Couture Academy
Dutch Couture Academy offers an extensive range of courses for traditional couture techniques in the field of sewing, pattern making and embroidery. The courses focus on developing traditional ways of creating, working from inspiration and in a search for one’s own handwriting.
Couture Patterns
The courses on this page are aimed at making couture patterns. Characteristic are the beautiful fit and the special lines. Unique designs for unique people.
____
Breaking News: Shingo Sato is coming to The Netherlands!
To my great pleasure Shingo Sato will visit Dutch Couture Academy this summer for a high level training in Creative Moulage. In this special, intuitive way of moulage, the best of Japanese pattern making and moulage techniques come together in a fluid interplay in the third dimension.
SUMMERWEEK 1 – 5 August 2022
Immerse yourself for a week in the wonderful world of pattern making by means of moulage and TR pattern techniques (Japanese pattern techniques).
In the week of 1 to 5 August, you can take your pattern-making skills to a whole new level under the guidance of Saskia ter Welle and Shingo Sato.
Programme
This is what is on the programme for this great summer holiday week:
- Monday: variations on your favourite theme! Bring along a toile of a garment you love. This will be the starting point to give it a completely new twist with different techniques.
- Tuesday: under the guidance of Shingo Sato, the famous Japanese pattern maker, we will work with his famous origami technique
- Wednesday through Friday, Sato will guide us through various forms of Creative Moulage, a technique in which a design is created visually and by shaping it on a mannequin or body (hello, perfectly fitting trousers!)
Shingo Sato has been a renowned name for years when it comes to special pattern techniques. I followed his extensive online training programme years ago and became the first person in the Netherlands to become a TR Master.
TR refers to the technique he developed to transform a pattern, step by step, into a true work of art. Sato is a leading figure for what many call “Japanese Pattern Techniques”.
Meanwhile I have followed several training courses with him (online), I have applied his techniques in my own couture collections and for clients, and I have taught and lectured about Japanese Pattern Techniques. However, I have never met him live. Therefore, I am really looking forward to working with you and others under his guidance during these days!
What does Creative Moulage look like?
With Creative Moulage, the body is sculpted, as it were, with fabric and painter’s tape. This gives you ultimate control over the final (flowing, perfectly fitting) form. Only then are the seams drawn into the model. This is where this form of moulage differs completely from the traditional form of draping. This also brings sewing challenges with it. You will learn how to deal with this in this course.
Because we work cross-culturally, it is expected that you understand English and that you are open and flexible. For the lover of new experiences, techniques and contacts. Furthermore, you are able to assemble a garment independently and you have some spatial insight and understanding of patterns.
Are you an aspiring fashion designer? Then you are very welcome to sign up for this unique opportunity to see Shingo at work and get started yourself. This high value Summer Masterclass is unique!
an inspiring environment where you can take your patterning skills to the next level
you will see your work with new ideas and inspiration
you will meet new people who share your passion for patterns
To be as prepared as possible, there will be a ZOOM meeting well in advance, where you will get tips on how to best prepare for this masterclass.
Please bring with you:
- fabric scissors
- sewing machine
- unbleached cotton of a somewhat firm quality
- coloured unbleached cotton or white thread
- plenty of 19/20 mm masking tape
- pins
- black and red fineliner/marker with thin tip
- long ruler (preferably transparent)
- possibly french curve
- mannequin if required
- at least 10 metres of unbleached cotton
The ZOMERWEEK will be given in the studio of Dutch Couture Academy, Gasthuisstraat 16, 6981 CS Doesburg.
Dates: 1 till 5 August 2022
Time: 10-16 hrs (coffee from 9.30 hrs)
Price: €1397,- or three partial payments of €497,-
This course includes:
- coffee, tea, lunches
- Zoom meeting 18 July 13-13.30 to prepare for the summer week
- BONUS: access to online course Blueprint for Unique Designs
Yes! I don’t want to miss this! One payment €1397,-
Yes! I don’t want to miss this! Payment in three terms of €497,- (plus administrative fee)
_____
Moulage | Draping
With moulage, a pattern is developed for clothing in a three-dimensional and intuitive manner. To arrive at a design, fabric is draped around a body or mannequin. The elaboration with fabric can then be translated into a paper pattern. This method is frequently used in haute couture and by fashion designers in general.
The way the fabric falls on the mannequin makes for spontaneous designs that you couldn’t have thought of in advance. This surprise makes designing extra fun. My couture collection, which I presented during the Amsterdam Fashion Week, was created via moulage.
Previous education
No special prior education is required to participate in this course. It is, however, expected that you will be able to handle the sewing machine and that you know how to assemble a piece of clothing.
Materials
You will need the following materials for this course:
- mannequin (especially important when working on your own measurements, there are some mannequins available in thestudio for those who come with public transport)
- firm, unbleached cotton
- fabric scissors and paper scissors
- lots of pins
- pen and paper for notes
- long ruler and a ‘french curve’ (curved ruler)
- pattern paper
- black and red fine-liner/marker
Japanese Pattern Techniques
A few years ago I was the first Dutch to follow a course with Shingo Sato. Sato is the developer of a revolutionary way of pattern making: Transformational Pattern Cutting. Her works a combination of pattern drawing techniques and moulage, which allows an infinite number of ways to create three-dimensional designs. Very exciting! It requires spatial insight, accurate cutting and sewing, and a hefty dose of courage to get started with this.
In three days I will teach you the basic principles of TR pattern cutting. This gives you more insight into patterns in general, and how you can give them your own twist.
Are your clothing designs dictated by a traditional cut? With the same basic elements of shoulder seams, armholes and dummy seams? Transformative Reconstruction eliminates this phenomenon and opens up new perspectives.
With this technique you will be able to transform a simple piece of clothing into a work of art after only a few days.
TR pattern technique is a cool technique in which you manipulate a garment in 3D before you further develop it in 2D. You start with a toile that you put on a mannequin or model. The next step is to draw your design lines directly on the fabric with a pen. When you are satisfied with the result, remove the toile from the doll or model and cut it out according to the design lines. Now you have flat pattern parts that are ready to be used. By adding some techniques, these pattern parts are first processed in 2D before you cut the pattern parts out of the good fabric and put them together.
In this course various techniques are discussed for the processing of tops, sleeves and skirts. In addition to the pattern techniques, you learn the fine sewing tricks to put your design together perfectly.
The following topics are discussed in this Course Japanese Pattern Techniques:
- basic skills of transformational pattern design
- different ways to work 3D
- how to translate your fabric patterns into complete, paper patterns
- sewing skills with regard to the specific characteristics of patterns that have been created through TR Pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although it is useful if you can draw a pattern, it is not a requirement to participate in this course. We assume that you have a broad sewing experience and that you have insight into the relationship between different pattern parts (front and back, sleeves, pockets, collars, etc.).
I am a professional seamstress and I create my own patterns; what does this course add for me?
With Moulage and Japanese patterning techniques, a completely new world opens up for you, where the play with creating different types of volume knows no bounds. Your creativity definitely gets a boost and you discover new possibilities. The assignments can be worked out for you with an additional degree of difficulty. You will certainly not be bored! 🙂
I am an enthusiastic amateur / hobby seamstress: can I follow this course?
Every course at the Dutch Couture Academy is open to everyone. We are convinced that motivation is the strongest factor in learning new skills. If you are unsure whether your level matches this course, send an email with photos of your work to saskia@saskiaterwelle.nl.
Do I need a special education?
No special prior education is required to participate in this course. It is, however, expected that you will be able to handle the sewing machine and that you know how to assemble a piece of clothing.
Materials
You will need the following materials for this course:
- mannequin (especially important when working on one’s own measurements, there are a few mannequins available in the studio for those who come by public transport)
- sewing machine (machines are present, but experience shows that it works best on a trusted machine)
- sturdy, unbleached cotton
- ecru coloured sewing machine yarn
- fabric scissors
- many (!) pins
- painting tape approx. 19 mm wide
- pen and paper for notes
- paper scissors
- long ruler
- french curve
- pattern paper
- black and red fine liner / marker
________________
Couture Training
