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2023 - Natural Dyeing: A Heritage of Colour - V&A Academy Course at V&A South Kensington · V&A

By A Mystery Man Writer

Learn the essential skills used in the production of couture clothing from the comfort of your home. During this six-week course you will construct your own quarter-scale vintage-style sundress, practising and perfecting hand-sewing techniques on a dress pattern designed exclusively for this course.Quarter-scale dresses play a vital role in the history of couture dressmaking. Designers used them to finalise their designs before sending them around the world to showcase their new collections. They also make fantastic teaching tools for full-scale couture work. Throughout this course, tutor Rowena Luke-King will show you the key stitches and finishing techniques needed to create your own miniature dress, complete with a decorative border of tucks, pin tucks and shell tucks. Rowena will also show you, step-by-step, how to mark dart points with tailor's tacks, 'bag-out' a bodice and add gathers at the waist, creating a complete dress, all by hand.This course is suitable for those starting out in dressmaking, or those looking to refine their hand-sewing skills. As well as your completed quarter-scale dress, you will leave this course with a thorough understanding of how to adapt this miniature pattern into full scale.