ABOUT THIS EVENT

Event Category

Arts & DIY

Note: This is a multi-session event series. By purchasing the event package, you acknowledge that you can attend all event dates included below.

Event Overview

Explore fabric manipulation and embellishment with us this July! 

This workshop will expand your design horizons with creative embellishment techniques. Students are encouraged to play and think of how to use familiar materials creatively, while exploring unusual ways of using non-traditional elements.

Shirring, pleating, layering and other forms of molding fabric to create sumptuous textures and detailing will be explored.  Experimentation and thinking outside the box will be emphasized, as well as how to integrate these techniques into your existing design practice and aesthetic point of view.

The class will be a mixture of demos and workshop time for you to test out different techniques.

Small class size (max 8 students) with two instructors will ensure time for individual questions and explorations.

Students with all levels of experience are welcome!

Here's a sampling of what we'll cover:

• July 8: 6-8:30 pm  Fabric manipulation and creative sculptural techniques (such as smocking, ruffles, flounces, pintucks) using hand and machine methods.


• July 15: 6-8:30 pm Creative embroidery and applique using a range of material.


• July 22: 6-8:30 pm Creating & manipulating trims (tassels, ribbon work, & pom-poms)


• July 29: 6-8:30 pm An introduction to lace and crystals, including an overview of different types of lace, working with lace in collage, hand applique and application of crystals.

About the Instructors:

Gerry Quinton’s line Morúa specializes in corsetry and gowns characterized by strong, graceful silhouettes, romantic inspirations and exquisite detailing.

Quinton was born in Costa Rica and has also lived in Spain and England. Her work is influenced by a sense of displacement and nostalgia that comes from leading a life split amongst continents, drawing on old-world craftsmanship traditions of tailoring and corsetry.

Gerry has developed a stellar reputation as a corsetiere both in London and Chicago. Her experience ranges from bespoke design and construction to pattern drafting for all kinds of garments, to teaching for the fashion industry and colleges.

She is a founding fellow of the Oxford Conference of Corsetry in Oxford, UK. Clients and students travel from around the world to be fitted and learn from her. Her most recent high profile client was Madonna, who wore one of her pieces in a video shot by Steven Klein.

Jamie Hayes’ inter­ests lie at the inter­sec­tion of fashion, art, labor, and iden­tity. Her approach is both collab­o­ra­tive and customized. She believes that clothes should fit one’s body (not the other way around); that people should wear what flat­ters and inter­ests them rather than what someone else dictates is fash­ion­able; that style is a form of self-expression; and that everyone in the chain of produc­tion of clothing should be paid a living wage.

Jamie has worked in the fashion industry since 1999, and in the field of immi­grant and labor rights since 2009. Her recent work merges these two paths: she has designed for fair trade orga­ni­za­tions including SERRV, Inter­crafts Peru, and Threads of Yunnan, and has volun­teered as a Campaign Leader for Chicago Fair Trade. She is the owner and designer of slow fashion line Produc­tion Mode, Her work has been featured in Elle and Paper Magazine, and on the cover of Billboard.  

What to Bring

Sewing & marking tools: Please bring your own sewing kit, cutting shears, embroidery hoop (optional), and rulers.  If you prefer to use your own sewing machine, you are welcome to bring it to the studio.

Minimum age

All ages welcome

What's Provided

We will provide the materials you'll need to execute class projects. These include silk ribbons, muslin, Horween leather, embroidery floss, Swarkovski crystals, tassel forms, vintage and French lace We provide specialty tool and gadgets for your use.

What You Can Expect From This Experience

• Instruction from two experienced fashion designers and with a wide range o
• Materials to execute class demonstrations: silk ribbons, muslin, Horween le
• Samples of the techiniques you learned in class to aid in using on your own
• Handouts and other supporting materials
• Use of studio equipment and tools, including domestic and industrial sewing
• Refreshment and light snacks

Cancellation Policy

Location