As well as weekly Open Lab and Teen classes, The Academy of Fine Sewing and Design offers a variety of workshops throughout the year:

Treat yourself to a four-day sewing vacation with professional sewing instructor and author Kathryn Brenne. Fit is an important part of creating custom clothing. Based on her fitting series for Vogue Pattern magazine, this workshop will teach students how to take a complete, detailed set of measurements, determine their size in commercial patterns and learn to alter patterns for a personalized fit. During the four days, students will alter patterns and fit a muslin for a straight skirt, bodice and pant.

Made to Measure Shirts Workshop - April 8-10 with Kathryn Brenne

Some of the hallmarks of custom bespoke shirts include beautiful fine cottons, flat felled seams, hand picked top stitching, shirt tails with gussets, collar stays with hidden snaps, sleeve plackets, monograms and perfect collars with stands. Students will complete a variety of samples and have the opportunity to work on their own one of a kind design during this three day workshop.

Jon Moore has an established Couture business in London , England making Couture Clothes for private clients from his modern studio just outside of London , www.jonmoore.com Jon originally studied Fashion Design at Kingston University in London and graduated as most promising final year student. After graduation he joined the Design Studio at Royal Couturier Hardy Amies. He held the positions of Studio Assistant, Women’s Wear Designer and Couture Director. Ultimately he was appointed Design Director and held the role for five years. During his career, Jon has had the privilege of working with and learning from some of the most extraordinary and talented couture fitters, seamstresses, tailors and clients. It is these traditional couture skills that he is passionate about preserving and exploring, combining them with sharp modern design in a contemporary style to create couture clothes for the modern woman.

Students will learn traditional hand tailoring techniques while working on their own classic notched revere jacket.
Techniques will include backing the fashion fabric, working with hair canvas interfacing, taping a roll line, pad stitching, setting a collar, hand worked buttonholes, setting a sleeve and hand finishing the lining.

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The garment district of New York is a sewer’s paradise! Join Kathryn Brenne in New York City to visit some of her favorite fabric, button, trim and notion supply shops.

We will be staying in the heart of the garment district. Our midtown hotel is located around the corner from Macy’s department store and the theater district. Several restaurants are all within walking distance. The hotel is conveniently located for participants to drop off fabric purchases and put their feet up before heading out again!

Our tour begins Wednesday afternoon with a walking tour of the garment and fabric district. Kathryn will introduce you to the many fabric shops and specialty stores that New York has to offer. Students will have free time to return, shop and explore on their own. A listing of our favorite stores with addresses and phone numbers will be provided. Students will have the opportunity to purchase fabrics, notions, pattern drafting equipment, tailoring supplies, trims, beads, jewelry findings, interfacings, buttons and more!

We have arranged a private lecture and tour of the permanent garment collections at FIT the Fashion Institute of Technology. A stop at the FIT bookstore with their excellent selection of fashion related books is also planned.

We will be visiting the current fashion exhibit at the MET Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty. The exhibition, organized by The Costume Institute, will celebrate the late Alexander McQueen’s extraordinary contributions to fashion. From his postgraduate collection of 1992 to his final runway presentation which took place after his death in February 2010, Mr. McQueen challenged and expanded the understanding of fashion beyond utility to a conceptual expression of culture, politics, and identity. His iconic designs constitute the work of an artist whose medium of expression was fashion. Approximately one hundred examples will be on view, including signature designs such as the bumster trouser, the kimono jacket, and the Origami frock coat, as well as pieces reflecting the exaggerated silhouettes of the 1860s, 1880s, 1890s, and 1950s that he crafted into contemporary silhouettes transmitting romantic narratives.

Each year’s tour is unique with different visits to designer’s workrooms and fashion related activities. More details will follow upon registration. Spend time exploring 5th Avenue , visit designer boutiques, walk about Soho and visit Canal Street . Students will be inspired by all of the latest fashions!

Sunday is free to explore, walk Central Park and travel home.

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Kathryn Brenne is well known for her beautiful work in leather and shearling. She has written numerous articles for THREADS, Vogue Pattern magazine and Butterick Home Catalogue. Handbags are the ‘it’ accessory to have! During this three day workshop students will have the opportunity to design and construct their own designer handbag. Based on her article for Vogue, topics to be covered include design inspirations, pattern drafting, fabrics, leather, interfacings, closures, pockets, linings and hardware. Students will be asked to bring ideas, sketches and pictures of purses that inspire them.

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Daniel Storto is a Glove Haute Couturier based in Gloversville , NY . His gloves have graced the hands of numerous celebrities. He recreated all the gloves for the 2001 Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition “Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years.” Daniel’s designs are works of art, all hand stitched from the finest Italian suedes and leathers. His work has appeared on the covers of Vogue, 2wice and American Craft. Working out of his storefront location in Gloversville , Daniel is surrounded by vintage tools, equipment and patterns as he produces his amazing works of art for the public to see.

Spend five full days creating your own couture gloves with Daniel Storto. Participants will make a custom fitted, hand stitched pair of gloves out of leather or suede. Daniel will be bringing some of his specialized equipment to demonstrate and for the students to use. This is a unique opportunity to study with a master. Visit Daniel’s website www.danielstorto.com to view his inspiring work.

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Koos van den Akker Master Techniques Workshop - September 7-11 with Koos van den Akker

With a career spanning more than 40 years the legendary designer Koos van den Akker has dressed the likes of Bill Cosby, Elizabeth Taylor, Issabella Rossellini, Stevie Wonder and Madonna. His garments have been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and FIT in New York . His fashions have sold at Saks and Bloomingdales. Koos is a master at using garments as a canvas for his unusual collaborations of color and creative collage techniques. He has been featured as a Vogue Pattern designer since Fall 2002.

During this 5 day workshop, students will have the unique opportunity to study with Koos van den Akker, creating samples and working on one of his Vogue Pattern Designer garments. Studying with Koos is an exercise in creativity. He will push your limits to create a unique, one of a kind garment.

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Our excursion to London in 2010 was so successful that we have decided to split our time between Paris and London . Experience the best of both cities!

We will depart on an evening flight Friday September 30 and arrive in Paris first thing in the morning on October 1. Paris is the fashion capital of the world! For five days, Kathryn Brenne will take you on a designer’s tour of the most inspirational fashion city in the world. A tour of the fabric district with its wonderful button, trim and fabric stores will get your creative juices flowing! Each day we will visit a different part of the city. Highlights will include a wonderful notions store, second hand shops and a walking tour of the Marais district with its small designer boutiques. There will be plenty of free time to tour Paris , stop at cafes, stroll the Avenue des Champs Elysees , visit museums, dream at designer boutiques, visit famous flea markets and fall in love with one of the most romantic cities.

The high speed Eurostar will take us to London first thing in the morning on Thursday October 6 where we will be joined by British couturier Jon Moore. Jon will act as our tour guide in London taking us to visit button, notion and tailoring supply houses as well as a couture fabric wholesale supplier of some of the most beautiful fabrics available. This will be a unique opportunity to tour London from a designer’s viewpoint for two and a half days. There will be free time to window shop, visit Harrod’s, Selfridges and Liberty for their famous printed fabrics.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend an optional theater performance in London .

We will leave London to fly home on Sunday, October 9.

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Leather Hands-On Workshop - November 3 - 6 with Kathryn Brenne

Kathryn Brenne is known for her extensive work with leather and has released a Sewing Leather CD. Treat yourself to a luxurious leather garment and a four-day sewing vacation!

Students are free to choose their own project. Beginner and intermediate sewers may wish to work on a top or skirt while more advanced sewers might prefer a jacket. As well as working on their own garments, students will complete a variety of samples. All students will be asked to bring a ready to fit muslin of their garment to class. Please feel free to call Kathryn Brenne to discuss your pattern selection.

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Fur vests, accessories and garments have been popular over the past few years. During this five day workshop students will learn how to assess a used fur coat for use in a new garment. Project ideas can include an accessory hat or handbag, vest, short jacket or garment lining. Based on her popular article for Vogue Pattern magazine, Kathryn will demonstrate techniques for reusing fur, cutting, reinforcing and seaming to create something new.

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