Update COVID-19:
As long as we in the Netherlands are bound by the current measures regarding ‘social distancing’, the lessons in the studio have been suspended. As soon as the measures become more flexible, we will consider when the program can be resumed.
Many people now opt for the online variants. You are also very welcome there!
More information about the online courses can be found via the top bar under the heading ‘Courses’ -> ‘Online Courses’.
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Dutch Couture Academy
Dutch Couture Academy has an extensive range of courses for artisanal couture techniques in the field of sewing, pattern making and embroidery. The courses focus on the development of artisan ways of creating, based on inspiration and in the search for your own handwriting.
Couture Patterns
The courses that you find on this page are aimed at creating couture patterns. Characteristic for these patterns are the beautiful fit and the special lines. Unique designs for unique people.
The courses are explicitly open to every interested seamstress or designer.
Moulage | Draping
With moulage, a pattern for a garment is developed in three-dimensional and intuitive ways. Fabric is draped around a body or mannequin. This fabric pattern will be translated into a paper pattern. This method is frequently used in haute couture, and by fashion designers in general.
The drape of the fabric creates spontaneous designs that you could not have imagined beforehand. These surprises make the design proces an adventure, that is a lot of fun as well. My couture collection, which I presented during the Amsterdam Fashion Week, was created via moulage.
The following topics are covered in the Moulage Course:
- basic skills moulage
- working on a mannequin and on a person
- translating the fabric to a paper pattern
- making a ‘moulage’ arm
- bodice, skirt, sleeve, collars
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 one’s own measurements, there are a few mannequins available in the studio for those who come by public transport)
- sturdy, unbleached cotton
- fabric scissors and paper scissors
- many (!) pins
- pen and paper for taking notes
- a long ruler and a “french curve” (bent ruler)
- pattern paper
- black and red fine liner / marker
Coffee, tea and a tasty lunch are provided.
Date and Location
The course is held in the workshop of Dutch Couture Academy, Gasthuisstraat 16, 6981 CS in Doesburg.
Dates: four days during these two weeks in May 2020: 18-22 or 25-29, by appointment. Send an email to saskia@saskiaterwelle.nl for available dates.
Investment: € 699, including VAT, coffee, tea and fresh lunch.
Time: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Ja, ik meld mij aan!There is a possibility to spend the night in the guesthouse above the studio. For details see B&B in top bar website. For students a special price applies in combination with a course. Inquire about this by sending an email to saskia@saskiaterwelle.nl
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.
The designs are unique and creative, but are based on unchanging basic principles of pattern drawing. The course is explicitly open to every adventurous seamstress, but is a fantastic addition to the toolbox of tailors, seamstresses and designers in terms of knowledge and possibilities for design and realisation of special clothing.
The course will be given in the studio of Dutch Couture Academy, Gasthuisstraat 16, 6981 CS Doesburg, The Netherlands, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
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
The Japanese Pattern Technique course is given in the studio of Dutch Couture Academy: Gasthuisstraat 16, 6981 CS in Doesburg, The Netherlands, from 9:30 AM -4:30 PM.
Date: 3 days between 18 and 29th of May 2020 by appointment. Send an email to saskia@saskiaterwelle.nl for available dates.
Investment: 429 euros, incl. VAT, including coffee, tea and a delicious lunch.
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Couture Training
