Claire Shaeffer, teacher extraordinaire

Today I thought I finally will have some free time to pursue some better sewing instruction for myself. I looked up Claire Shaeffer, and I learned that she plans to stop giving her well-regarded workshops in the middle of 2017. Her last few classes are listed online and some have openings, so if you've ever wanted to attend one and improve upon your couture sewing techniques, now's the time.

A little about Ms. Shaeffer can be found from a Threads magazine snippet from the August/September 2011 issue, and a more extensive series in video form on the Threads website (subscription required, or maybe you can take advantage of a free trial). 

In part one, she explains that she wandered into couture sewing (and into writing about that topic). Her intent had been to learn how to make her own patterns for personal use, since she was a smaller size. She learned all facets of sewing, including industrial techniques, in a trade school, and applied them in her own personal sewing. 

Years later, she rediscovered couture methods and began collecting garments, especially vintage Chanel, to study. She compares her garments to books which she enjoys "reading," rediscovering some snippet every day.

Ms. Shaeffer is truly a treasure for the sewing community, having written some twenty books, starting with 1981's "The Complete Book of Sewing Shortcuts," up to her video "Couture Sewing; Designer Trims."

Check them out, and get sewing! 

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