Simply Sensational Skirts (...and Embellishing Techniques)

5 days - All levels

Bring a pattern, fabric, thread and some trimmings. We're going to adapt and adorn to make the most wonderful skirt or embellished garment of your choice.  Your chosen garment can be outrageously "over the top" or supremely subtle and sophisticated. Dozens of creative possibilities will be explored. We'll look at, and use, the best construction techniques that are used by the clothing industry in ready-to-wear and couture garments. Pictorial exploration of historical clothing from 17th Century to street fashion of today will inspire our creativity. Embellishing techniques such as applique, beading, piping, trapunto, free-motion machine stitchwork, cut-work, braiding, pieced sections, pleats, tucks, and hand and machine embroidery will all be covered and demonstrated. Samples, photographs, magazine clippings and swatches will create a large design inspiration wall, which will be packed full of exciting and different ideas. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a truly original skirt or to learn a wide range of embellishing and construction techniques that you can apply to any garment.

Taught by:  Philippa Naylor

Supply List

• Inspiration: pictures from magazines, books, samples of fabric, postcards, photographs and as many design ideas, whether antique or modern, that you can find. I’ll be bringing lots of these too!
• Sewing machine with instruction manual and all accessories.
• Extension cord.
• Scissors for fabric and paper.
• Large sheets of paper for pattern drafting.
• Large sheets of paper for design work.
• Notebook, pencils and eraser.
  
• Rulers Long ruler, Bendy ruler for drawing curves.
  
• Template plastic/card.
  
• Variety of machine and hand sewing needles.
  
• Pins.
  
• Tailors chalk or similar.
  
• Pattern cutters marking wheel.
  
• Awl.
  
• Fabric paints and brushes if desired.
  
• Thread, a variety of threads and yarns, thread for serger if required

• Fabric
  
• Skirt pattern of your choice.
  
• Fabric for skirt with an extra allowance for alterations and additions.
  
• All notions required on pattern such as thread, interfacing, zippers, buttons etc.
  
• Fabric for contrasting panels, pocket flaps, facings or similar.
  
• Fabric for applique. The wider the variety the better. Think of texture and contrast.
  
• Interfacing or stabiliser for applique.
• Any trims that you think you might want to use:
  
• Beads, ribbons, braid, ric-rac, cording, piping cord, tassels, sequins, fringing,buttons, buttons that can be covered (you could embroider/embellish these).
  
• Small pieces of leather/suede.
  
• Wadding for trapunto.
  
• Lining fabric. A good idea if your embellishment has a lot of stitching which might feel a bit uncomfortable
• Anything else that you can think of!
  

Optional Extras

• Coloured pencils..
  
• Serger (two sergers will be provided for class use).
  
• Pattern weights.
  
  Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, however small you think they are.