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Saturday, March 26, 2011

Camp Couture, Day One

Readers, I'm reporting live from Baltimore! I've just finished my first day of Susan Khalje's six-day couture sewing school. And what a day it was! We spent some time getting to know each other (it's a truly lovely group of ten women), had our muslins fitted by Susan (an absolute dream), went fabric shopping, and made some good headway cutting our underlinings.

Susan is delightful; there's no other way to put it. Here she is with "bone-a-rama" (tee hee!), her very impressive carrying case for spiral steel boning.
She has it in pre-tipped lengths from 2 to 16 inches! (You can purchase on her website.)
Susan brought a suitcase full of samples for us to examine. It reminded me of the dress-up box I had as a little girl. Fabulous, fabulous stuff. You'll probably recognize some of it from Threads magazine and Susan's book Bridal Couture.





The shopping was done at A Fabric Place. I had brought all my fabric with me, but . . . they had some amazing finds. I couldn't resist this emerald French lace, and bought enough to make a pencil skirt.

It reminds me of this dress that Scarlett Johansson wore last year.

Anyway, it's been a wonderful day. I can't tell you how glad I am that I decided to do this. And I'm giddy that I have 5 more days to go. More to come!
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24 comments:

  1. Sasha RocketMarch 26, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    Oh, this sounds amazing! I wish I could go to a camp couture! I love that fabric, and the dress. I've never made anything out of lace before but I'm extremely tempted after seeing this fabric and pictures of the red lace dress you made.

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  2. JillyBMarch 26, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    I love that you used the movie poster from Troop Beverly Hills!! It is totally one of my favorite movies. I am excited to see what other adventures you have at Couture Camp!

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  3. k.March 26, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    I have decided that I NEED to do that (or one of her Draping classes) when we get back to the States. I told my husband, so it will happen. heheh k.

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  4. DawnMarch 26, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    very cool! I am looking forward to hearing about and seeing(lots of photos, please!) the next 5 days!

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  5. SusanMarch 26, 2011 at 8:00 PM

    O I'm jealous...Have LOTS of fun...you certainly deserve it!

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  6. NuJoiMarch 26, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    Can't wait to see what you've learned. Have fun!

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  7. lapMarch 26, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us. How could you have possibly not bought that lace?

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  8. FlynnMarch 26, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    Oooh - those are some awesome photos. (Also, if you decide to post the stuff from the lace pencil skirt, I'd be appreciative ;)

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  9. RebeccakMarch 26, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    That sounds brilliant! Can't wait to see what you come up with!

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  10. UnknownMarch 26, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    So exciting! I am planning to go to her October "camp couture" in Baltimore, and to make a lace gown or dress. Can't wait to hear more!
    xo, a.

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  11. Laura LeeMarch 26, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    Oh I heart Susan! Please tell her I said hello and that she needs to come to "202" for lunch some day!!!!!!
    Have a BLAST!

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  12. NicoleMarch 27, 2011 at 12:56 AM

    So excited to see what else Camp Couture has in store for you!

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  13. Sam March 27, 2011 at 3:21 AM

    Sounds amazing already! That emerald lace is gorgeous. I'm suddenly craving a lace pencil skirt myself.

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  14. Gorgeous ThingsMarch 27, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    I hope you are having a WONDERFUL time! I'm good friends with two of your campmates. Susan is such a wonderful teacher. Do take lots of pictures, in between all the great work you're doing!

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  15. sarahMarch 27, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    Ooo sounds brilliant. i would love to go on a camp couture course!!
    can't wait to read what you've learnt :D

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  16. IowaHoodlumMarch 27, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Oh, I am so jealous!! But very happy to live vicariously through you. Please post as many details as you can bear to type! :-) I took her Pattern Review wedding gowns class last year, and it was great.

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  17. BethMarch 27, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    I'm sooooo jealous!!! Have fun and we're hanging on your every word...can't wait for the next post! xoxo beth

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  18. StitchesMarch 27, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    I just found your blog by random and let me say I am in love!!! I am a follower now.

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  19. CorrineMarch 27, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    What a fabulous opportunity! Learn lots of good stuff!

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  20. moniroseMarch 27, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    It looks like a dream! I am so jealous :)
    What a handy case she has for her boning - although, I prefer to buy it in bulk and cut mine to measure for each dress.

    Also, that lace is going to be fabulous in a pencil skirt! Cannot wait to see it!

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  21. AmyMarch 27, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    This is so cool. I have read about her workshops and wondered how it works... and can't wait to see the results. (I always love the idea of intensive learning.) l'm really looking forward to hearing about it from an ace reporter!

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  22. bright lights, big citiesMarch 27, 2011 at 8:04 PM

    loving ever part of this post... that dress is also beautiful!

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  23. UnknownMarch 29, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    Susan is a gem. We are so fortunate to have her in Baltimore.

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  24. GlassCannonApril 3, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Can't wait to see the final products from Camp Couture, especially the lace skirt! I picked up a French lace very similar to that, perhaps even the exact same one, in black in the LA fashion district, that I'm planning to make a skirt with. Such pretty fabric!

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie