Shearling Workshop

We have just completed another successful shearling workshop. All of the students did a tremendous job on their jackets. We had some interesting projects. The workshop began with a shopping day in Toronto where students found some unique skins for their projects. One student made a full length coat out of shearling which was dark brown suede on the outside and dyed in a geometric print on the inside. Another student used skins with a metallic finish. Quite unusual were the skins used by another student who made a knee length coat. The skins had been factory fused with denim which was then burnished or laser finished with a floral design. The coat was an interesting denim on the outside but inside was beautiful gold shearling wool. E-mail me at kathryn@finesewing.com for information on the 2009 workshop. A great job done by all!

Koos van den Akker Master Techniques Workshop April 29-May 3, 2009

The Academy of fine Sewing & Design is excited to host a 5 day workshop featuring New York designer Koos van den Akker. Koos is a master at using garments as a canvas for his unusual collaborations of color and collage techniques. Students will have the opportunity to work on one of the many patterns he has designed for Vogue Patterns. This is a wonderful chance to study with someone so creative! For more information visit http://www.finesewing.com/

Paris Design and Inspiration Tour 2008

We have just returned from an inspiring trip to Paris. Highlights of the tour included a private tour of the Yves Saint Laurent workroom and archives, a cooking class at the Cordon Bleu, an embroidery class at the House of Lesage, a fashion show, a visit to a leather tradesman trained at Hermes and of course fabric shopping! The week concluded with trend forecasting storyboard presentations by the students. Great students, great food, loads of inspiration and a great time had by all! If you are interested in the Paris 2009 please e-mail me for more information.

Leather workshops

I ran two leather workshops this fall. Several students made jackets and one designed and drafted her own skirt pattern. Another created her own pattern for a panelled coat and used printed suede and lambskin. Students are often surprised at how easy leather is to sew, on a domestic sewing machine. All garments turned out beautifully! If you are unable to attend one of my leather workshops, Sewing Leather, a virtual CD contains everything I know about working with leather. For more information about the CD visit my website at http://www.finesewing.com/