The Haute Couture Club of Chicago presents...

Madame Grès Technique Workshop
April 6, 2019

Chicago Bar Association
321 W Plymouth Court
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Taught by Kimberly Gorski
We will be making a pleated leaf in the Madame Grès style.  Fabric will be pleated by hand and sewn onto an organza base.  We will learn to use a curved needle to secure the pleats to the base fabric.  The back of the leaf will be covered with the same fabric for a nice neat finish.  If possible, please look at the June/July 2014 issue of Threads magazine, p. 66.  This article is all about the Madame Grès pleating technique.  The article is about a complete bodice, but we will only concentrate on a small project.
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Kimberly will be bringing her Balenciaga skirt/cape toile to show everyone what was worked on in Paris. She will also show a three-piece sleeve - a stand alone piece that was just a practice piece. 
Materials provided:
Kimberly will provide the leaf pattern, fabric, organza, ribbon (outer edges of the  ribbon is basted to the pattern), curved needles and a straight needle, pins,  and thread and tailor's chalk.  

You will need:
  • small ham or small dritz board (one side for rotary cutting and the other is padded)
  • fine pins in case you don't like the ones provided
  • a needle threader
  • a one inch wide ruler to help you space your pleats, 1" x 6" or a 1" x 12" is fine 
  • a thimble if you are used to using one
  • #2 pencil for tracing the pattern onto the organza 
  • light and magnification if you are used to using them.  I was able to make this leaf without magnification. 
  • thread for basting the ribbon to the organza

A spool of white thread will do just fine.   We will be using Coats and Clark #5140 turquoise thread to secure the pleats.   Anything close will be fine and I will have a few spools for us to share to secure our pleats and the backing.
Kit fee is $10 per person
If you would prefer to pay by check, please make your check payable to:   The Haute Couture Club of Chicago and mail to:  Kimberly Gorski, 805 N. Lincoln Avenue, Park Ridge, IL  60068.
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