Couture Bodice Techniques
With Mr. Travis Halsey

Current Format: 2 Days
2012 Availability: Charlotte, New York City
Return to Seminar Descriptions.

This is a very intense and very exciting class! Mr. Travis Halsey is a master designer and pattern-maker, and one of the most talented costumers we've met in awhile.

This class will teach you skills and techniques typically found only in 'couture quality' garments, and seen in expensive productions.

In Travis' words... "In this class, we will be looking at the bodice as an art-piece inside and out, exploring construction techniques used in both tailoring and fine couture, and looking at the bodice through-out history to see what has changed and what has remained the same for centuries."

BUT, this is NOT 'just' a lecture or demo class! Although Travis is a very patient and fun teacher, you will still work very hard for two days, learn lots and lots of new and really cool stuff, and you will make one very fine couture-quality bodice, utilizing your choice of nearly any bodice pattern we offer.

Please note: This is a very advanced level class, utilizing a lot of hand-sewing and fine-detail work. And you will be working from a pattern without built-in seam-allowances. You WILL need to be able to stay focused, you MUST be proficient at hand-work, and you must be able to grasp high-level concepts.

Here are the Basics for this Class.... You will create one bodice. The color/themes for this bodice will be Snow Queen/White or Sugar Plum/Pinks or Spanish/Red-Black or Lilac Faerie/Lavender-White - you will choose one. You will choose one of Travis' 'no-seam-allowances' bodice patterns. You will be layering and sandwiching multiple fabrics, such as Silk Dupioni, Metallic Brocade, Silk Brocade, Laces, as well as working with some satin, some felt, etc. We'll provide the fabrics, but you may prefer to select and use your own - we do suggest you call or email to make sure your choices are suitable.

As the class progresses, Travis will discuss, demo, and guide you through such areas as choosing and adjusting a pattern, differing methods of boning, flat-lining, quilting, tailoring, piping, under-stitching, machine-sewing hooks & eyes, and much much more! And you will utilize all of this information as you construct your bodice project.

You will need to bring the following items for this class:
  -   Your Safety Glasses !!
  -   Extra needles for your machine (for the hooks & eyes part).
  -   Plenty of hand-stitching needles of a variety of sizes and types.
  -   Fine-line tailor's tape (or call, we can supply).

And definitely you need to bring your enthusiasm !! 'Cause this is gonna be a whole lot of fun !!

This course is designed to work in conjunction with our 'Classical Performance Tutu Construction', 'Advanced Performance Tutus', 'Romantic Tutu Construction', and 'Multi-Tier Ruffled Spanish Skirts' seminars.

Return to Seminar Descriptions.