Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Craftsy classes


I guess you've probably already seen that Gertie's new class is available at Craftsy.
I was in front of my computer when I got the email announcing this new course and I enrolled instantly. The Bombshell Dress course (which is at half price, now) was so good that I was sure I was in for a treat and I was right. I watched all the lessons during the weekend (although I don't have Kath's fantastic setup) and I loved them.
First of all, it's a great way to learn about tailoring (something I knew almost nothing about, but was very curious to learn). Gertie is such a great techer, I find her extremely clear to understand and easy to follow (and she's funny, too!).
Furthermore, I noticed that after this course and the previous one, I'm SO excited to try all these new techniques and to start sewing something fabulous, taking my time and without cutting any corner.


A while ago, I also enrolled in The Couture Dress by Susan Khalje, and while this woman is clearly a guru in couture sewing, I was a bit underwhelmed by the classes. The first reason is because I had already seen many of the techniques she explains in the Bombshell dress course and the second reason is that some lessons are SO long and go in so much detail that they become really boring to watch.  Maybe that's just me, but I think they could have used some editing...

Did you take one of these courses? Do you have any other classes to recommend?

16 comments:

  1. I've bought both of these, plus Kenneth's Jean-ius (couldn't resist the half price thing) and whilst I've yet to watch these two, the jeans one is fabulous. I too signed up for the bombshell so there wasn't any way I was going to miss out on her jacket! Interesting about the couture dress - I'll have to start watching to see!

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    1. I was very interested to hear about the Jean-ius class, so thanks for the feedback. I guess I'll have to wait for another offer to come up, because 80 dollars is a lot!

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    2. Oo yes, thanks for the feedback on the Jean-ius class too! I'd always wanted to take a pantsmaking class he had in NYC with Sew Fast Sew Easy but then that store went out of business unfortunately. I've been teetering on the edge of getting both of these, since I bought the bombshell dress class last year and haven't even watched a single video yet, but the 50% off is indeed hard to let go by.

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  2. I signed up for the Couture Dress too. I am only at lesson 2...copying my pattern pieces. So far so good. I signed up for Jean-ius too due to the great offer. I'll try to send you the info via email

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  3. I've enrolled in both too - I'm loving Gerties course, she's just so lovely! I started working on the muslin for it tonight, I can't wait to start the pad stitching! I've made my muslin for the couture dress too - I'm finding it hard to stay motivated on it though - everything is so painstaking, but maybe once I start with the fashion fabric it will be more interesting.

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    1. Exactly. I agree with Gertie when she says that this process can be a bit too fussy at times, in fact one thing I really like about her is how she suggests quicker techniques that save you time and patience without compromising the final result.

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  4. Thank you, I write it down! Unfortunately I'm learning how to sew properly right now, and I have to wait a litte bit jet before tailoring classes!

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    1. Yes, they're definitely advanced classes. I saw that there's a beginner course called "Learn to Sew", but I have no idea how it might be.

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  5. I believe Gertie's took Susan's couture class last year in Baltimore. So that's probably why you found the techniques repeated.

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  6. Yes, Sewn, that's right, Gertie is a student of Susan Khalje. Gertie talks about taking Susan's class, on her blog.

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  7. I signed up for Diana Rupp's, the Couture dress, the Bombshell dress & Jean-ius. I'll probably end up signing up for the suit just to learn more even though I don't actually need a suit. I'm watching the Couture dress one right now and she does kind of ramble, but I'm learning things so I deal haha.

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    1. The suit class is great to learn about tailoring, even if you don't make this jacket you can learn a lot and make a coat or a completely different jacket.
      Susan Khalje is extremely informative as well, I just find that I feel like watching one of her lessons once in a while, while I watched 13 Gertie's classes in 2 days.

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    2. I have never taken any of Gertie's classes so I have no idea. But I'm with you about having to watch Susan's class one video at a time. Each chapter is, IMO, overwhelming. I feel tired just to watch her doing her stuff. But that is just what couture sewing is, no? Watching her class is a confirmation for me that garment sewing IS a lot of work. The best thing I've learned form Susan's class is her decision making. Sometimes she does it while rambling. Thinking out loud, I would say. Another thing is, that I've always been a bookish and from her I've learned that I can have my own freedom to make it work, common sense wise.

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  8. i signed up with the gertie's tailoring class too! i love her class. i think she is so funny and cute. i didn't sign up for the susan's class for the same reason as you - it sounds like the class materials overlap with the bombshell class a lot.
    by the way, if you sign up for the craftsy news letter, you always receive some deals on the course!

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    1. Yes, the newsletter is great. I signed up to every class with 50% discount. I just skipped jeanius for the moment, but I'll probably signup when I have some mad money.

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  9. I have the course the Couture Dress. However I prefer the Bombshell Dress Course instead.

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