Why You Need to Try Couture Sewing
Sewing couture clothing gives you the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind, custom look to suit your individual tastes and body shape. You’ll be able to select luxurious fabrics and trims that are often unavailable off the rack, and use special techniques such as heavy hand-stitching and craftsmanship to create a garment that will last for a lifetime. My journey with couture sewing started from necessity. In college, I didn't have the funds to buy fancy machines like embroidery machines, overlockers, and sergers. Space was also limited. My $90 sewing machine died, and I wondered how I was going to finish the garment I began. That's when I discovered that one doesn't need fancy machines to make high-quality clothes!
Here are five reasons why you should consider couture sewing:
1. Quality: Hand-sewn clothing is of much higher quality than pieces that are mass-produced. You have more control using needle and thread, than using a big machine. With higher-end materials, fittings, and fine hand stitches, couture pieces fit like a glove and will last you longer than any ready-to-wear piece.
2. Creative Expression: Couture sewing gives you the chance to really express yourself in how you create garments. Rather than buying a premade look, you can put your spin on a pattern by choosing a unique fabric or redesigning a detail that will give you something unique.
3. Cost Savings: Making your own couture pieces at home can be significantly cheaper than buying them ready-made. Yes, it's increasingly cheaper to buy fast fashion, but the construction and materials used in fast fashion cannot rival the quality you can create at home. There is an investment with materials, supplies and tools, which may be expensive initially, but over time you’ll save money as your wardrobe and ability grows.
4. Sense of Accomplishment: As with any DIY project, you have a sense of pride and accomplishment when you finish an item of clothing. The intricate tasks involved in couture sewing make the finished product that much more rewarding.
5. Fun: Lastly, couture sewing can be a ton of fun once you get the basics down. Using vintage patterns allows you to recreate and participate in history. Some of these dresses are documented in high-fashion magazines like Vogue and L’Officiel. You can experiment with different materials, cuts, patterns and designs until you create something that is both beautiful and unique. The challenge of couture sewing will keep you engaged and learning for a lifetime.
Can you think of any more reasons of why it's a good idea to sew couture?
I've been sewing for decades but love learning new techniques. This is a suit made from a German pattern from 1953 using some polyester satin (wrong side out) I had in my stash. I used hair canvas for the interfacing and the whole suit is underlined with silk organza. To keep the collar standing up properly I used "S" wire bones that worked perfectly. I am happy with the result and it's lots of fun to wear with my vintage hat and gloves.