So Many Samples!

As a sewing teacher I need to make model garments to display for the classes I am going to teach. I teach several classes so lots of model garments were in order. They're done to help inspire potential students to take my classes and it works! The classes where a sample is on display tend to fill up. Yeh!

Almost all are relatively simple projects as most sewing students are beginner to intermediate level sewers. Within the last couple of months I have made half a dozen or more, some of which I would like to share with you.

This double knit dress is one of my favorites. It was for a sheath dress class using McCalls pattern #2401. Its a basic sheath style dress with several neckline and sleeve length options. It's a very basic silhouette with bust and interior darts both in the front and back for great shaping. I like this pattern because it is so basic and can work as a template to design any number of great styles. 

We feature this class both in the summer and fall/winter. For the summer class the dress goes sleeveless. I used a double knit for this dress in a great black and berry colored paisley print. What often happens at the store and was the case here, the fabric used in the sample sold out immediately. 

 

In fact, I used this pattern to create the dress I made for my last Sew News article on incorporating leather into garments. By knowing how to manipulate the darts I was able to convert them to princess like seams that start at the neckline and move to the waist. For experienced sewers, this is when sewing is especially fun. 

This fitted trouser uses Vogue# 7881. It is also a great pattern to use as a template for creating other pant looks, but as is it makes a rather smart pair of pants. The pattern is part of Vogue pattern's Claire Schaeffer's Couture Collection and features a version incorporating couture techniques along with a more standard construction version.

Then there is this classic shirt using McCall's #6613. This class is intended to attract both male and female sewers, so the shirt is a very loose fitting classic style shirt. To add some interest the back yoke, cuffs and front placket were done on the bias. 

These are just a few of the models I have been sewing and as the summer and fall classes get scheduled more are sure to come. I'll keep you posted on the ones I think are worth sharing.