Couture Creations

Couture Creations: Your Own Designer Fashion

Are you a designer at heart? Are you interested in learning the professional finishing techniques used in high-end fashion? Are you ready to go beyond commercial patterns to create your own designs? Using my background in professional Hollywood costume design, I can help you break the mold using draping and pattern making techniques.

Who is this for?

These lessons are for anyone with previous sewing experience who wants to learn a variety of high-end customizing techniques. You should be comfortable with basic clothing construction using commercial patterns. We will build the curriculum together to ensure that you are learning the skills that are most important to you.

What will you learn?

The sky is the limit! Here are just a few of the skills you can learn:

  • How to use commercial sewing patterns as a starting point for your own designs
  • How to choose the best type and weight of fabrics, interfacings, trims, and notions for different kinds of projects
  • How to choose the best sewing tools and techniques to accurately mark, cut, pin, and press various kinds of fabrics
  • How to decide which stitch functions, stitch properties, and sewing machine attachments to use to get your desired effect
  • How to create a basic sewing pattern set, or sloper, to fit your unique figure
  • How to manipulate the sloper into a variety of original styles that are your own designs 
  • Skills like specialized pockets, closures, hem treatments, and other finishing techniques
  • Most importantly – How to have FUN making things, even when you run into challenges

Check out examples of student work:

Scheduled around your calendar and your needs, one-on-one instruction is the best way to make sure you get the focus and personalized attention you need to accomplish your desired goals in your own time. 

Sounds Great! How do I sign up?

Private sewing lessons are held in my studio in the heart of San Bruno, CA and are offered Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday between 10am and 8pm, by appointment only. A lesson is $50 per hour, for 2 hours. I am flexible if you want longer or shorter sessions, but in my experience 2 hours generally works best. Contact me at SarahMariesSewingSchool@gmail.com or text/call 650-271-9415 to get started!