Classes

Couture Tailoring Intensive: The Coat

Couture Tailoring Intensive: The Coat

$720
$720
Sale Sold out

A tailored winter coat is a major milestone in garment construction. Using true couture methods, you'll learn how inner structuring—hair canvas, pad stitching, wigan, and domette—sculpts a coat to retain its structure, drape, and elegance for decades.

With 30 years in the garment industry, Richard Harper brings master-level precision to the classroom. Classically trained in Haute Couture at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), his career spans bespoke tailoring, bridal, and historical/theatrical costuming. Blending heirloom Victorian construction techniques and decades of commercial expertise, he offers students with direct access to high-fashion tailoring methods and professional craftsmanship.

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate to advanced

DATES/TIMES: 

Thursdays, 1-4PM 
November 5, 12, 19; December 3, 10, 17; Jan 7, 14

(8 sessions, 24 total hours of class time)

Each 3-hour session balances high-detail demos with dedicated studio sewing. Independent sewing between sessions is required to keep pace. 

SKILLS YOU WILL LEARN:

  • Precision fitting and tailored measurement techniques
  • Working with structural layers and tailoring fabrics
  • Welt pockets and bound buttonholes
  • Altering, hanging, and setting sleeves and coat vents
  • Traditional collar and lapel construction
  • Lining insertion, pad stitching, and hand-finishing (hems, pickstitching, and hand-worked buttonholes)

PATTERN REQUIREMENTS:

Students must purchase their pattern separately. You may bring your own pattern featuring a classic collar (notched or shawl), set-in multi-piece sleeves, classic lines, button closures, and vents, or choose from these recommended options:

WHAT TO BRING:

Your chosen coat pattern

Basic sewing kit: scissors, snips, seam ripper, pins, rulers, chalk (we also have these tools available to borrow in the studio)

Note: A full supply list (wool shell, hair canvas, lining, and specialty notions) will be sent following registration. Specialty tailoring supplies and curated coat fabrics may also be available in-store.

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

Studio sewing machines are provided. You may bring your own machine if you prefer.

CLASS SIZE: 4-6 people

TEACHER: Richard Harper

CANCELLATION POLICY:

If you need to cancel, please contact the studio as soon as possible. Cancellations more than 3 days before the class starts will receive credit towards a future class. Cancellations less than 3 days are non-refundable. Each class must have at least three participants in order to run. Marengo Studio reserves the right to cancel this class if we do not have enough participants (you will be notified of a cancellation at least 48 hours ahead of the class start and may choose a full refund or credit towards a future class). Thank you for your understanding!

Marengo Sewing Studio is committed to supporting indie sewing pattern designers. We ask permission from the designer before offering workshops that use their patterns, use photos for our shop listings only with their permission, and provide a copy of the pattern for each student in class in accordance with their use policies.

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