202 Masks Later | What I've Learnt

Have you been asked to make masks for your family or friends? Our guest blogger, talented fashion design student Ashleigh Kok, had sooo many people ask that her that she turned into an unexpected sideline.

HEYYYYYYYYY

After sewing around 200 face masks, I’ve picked up a couple tricks that help me and I’d love to share these with you.

First of all, don’t get hung up with perfection. Make a prototype (from one of the many patterns online) and just accept that there’ll be some trial and error to start with.

On the subject of patterns, choose one with a seam down the centre front, as this will really help with fitting. Don't be afraid to make your own design changes - we're all learning and improving.

Fabric choice. We all love a vibrant, out there print, but will u actually wear it if it doesn’t match your current outfit? Thats why I make my masks reversible - this lets people have the choice of a 2 IN ONE! A fun bright fabric on one side and a solid colour on the other!

There are so many fun options at your local Spotlight store. I would recommend choosing from the quilting section as most of these fabrics are 100% cotton, breathable and perfect for a face mask.

Don’t forget to grab a little extra fabric of your plain colour to make a third inner layer for XTRA PROTECTION WOOO!!

If you cant find any elastic at ya local, as i know it’s currently in VERY high demand, don’t FRET. You can can buy some bias binding or make your own fabric bias strips and use them as ear ties instead.

I’ve also found this works well for making kids masks, as it makes the ties a lot more adjustable and stable for them as we know kids cant always stay still!

A top-stitched edge in a contrasting thread colour is the perfect finish as it secures the elastic or ties in and gives your fabric an extra pop! It also makes the mask sturdier and stronger so that it will stand up to more washing and re-use.

Cant be bothered to sew your own? Head over to my Instagram and shoot me a message to purchase one from me.

Stay safe.

ASHLEIGH KOK 
https://www.instagram.com/dreamm.girl/

Haute Couture. So what is it exactly?

Haute Couture

What is it? What can we learn from it?

When I was searching for a name for my business: Couture Arts Fashion Academy, I knew wanted something that captured the originality of the famous French haute couture houses. But most of all, I wanted to teach aspiring sewists about the importance of fit and attention to detail.  

Haute couture literally means high sewing or high dressmaking. It refers to clothes that are made to fit an individual, using the finest of fabrics and sewn with precise and time-consuming techniques.

The term, haute couture, is regulated by law in France. Surprisingly, it is the English-born designer, Charles Worth who is widely credited as the father of haute couture. He opened his Paris atelier in 1858 and made many changes to the way clothes were designed, made and sold.

Fashion is a major industry in France and their legal framework is designed to preserve their standing as the fashion arts capital of the world. The Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Paris (CCIP or Paris chamber of commerce) appoints the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture who annually reviews membership of the organisation and determine who will show at Paris Fashion Week. Members are divided into a hierarchy: official members are the French houses such as Chanel and Dior, correspondent members include foreign fashion houses such as Armani and Valentino and guest members that include new upcoming talent as well as designers of jewellery and accessories. 

Haute couture houses design made-to-order clothes that require more than one fitting and they must operate an atelier or workshop that employs at least fifty full-time staff, including twenty technical workers. Every January and July, each haute couture house must present a collection of no less than 50 original designs — including day and evening.

Because of the design time involved in a one-off garment — including hand work, fitting procedures and the fabrics used — haute couture designs are very expensive and very few people can afford them. In fact there are only 4,000 haute couture customers in the world. The Fashion Law have crunched the numbers on haute couture and it makes for a fascinating read.

So where does that leave that rest of us who can’t access hand-made, one-of-a-kind garments? Many of the elements of haute couture can be emulated by professional designers and home sewists. Couture principles are embedded in everything we teach at CAFA — starting with our beginner’s classes. Even if you’re making the simplest of A-line skirts, there are fitting and sewing techniques that can elevate your garment from home-made to fabulous.

Happy sewing.

Gaylene