Let's Paint The Town Red

Our next stop on our tour of France will be Monaco, and what color speaks louder than the color red. We'll be breaking out our red outfits to take Monaco by storm.
We've been gearing up for our first challenge and it's a hot one. Anything goes as long as it's red.


Maybe it's a smashing coat for those cool evenings,

or a hot, hot outfit for the discos.

Or maybe your style is a wonderful outfit for shopping,

and touring the sights.

But then again, maybe you will be on the prowl and want a dress that will knock any man dead.

Whatever your style is, have it ready for the challenge that will take place at our November meeting. You don't want to miss this boat!

October Meeting

Do you have your toes up while dreaming about our trip to France? Well, get those toes down, because there is so much to do before we depart on May 6, 2012.
This month we will take a short detour to Italy. Liana Sandin will inspire us with this month's program on Marfy patterns. Our program chair, Patti Ferfuson introduces us to Liana and our October program.

Marfy Magic
With patterns from the Big Four readily available and frequently on sale_with Burda Style available by subscription or at the newsstand_with many independent pattern lines being produced to fill various sewing niches, from up-to-the-minute-trendy to art-to-wear_why would anyone spend top dollar for an Italian pattern that comes with no instructions? What is so special_perhaps magical_about Marfy?
If Marfy patterns are new to you, prepare to be intrigued. Italians are known for their style, and Marfy patterns epitomize that style. Each year their catalog includes designs from classic to fashion-forward to the truly avant=garde. You will find designs direct from runways which won't show up in the other patterns lines for a year ot two, if ever. The patterns are uniquely well made, and once you've tried Marfy, you may be spoiled for other lines.
Our October speaker, Liana Sandin will bring a number of pieces made up from Marfy patterns to discuss and show. She hopes members of the Haute Couture Club will bring garments that they have made from Marfy patterns to show as well.
Liana's first sewing experiences were in 4-H at age 7. She's been enjoying the creative outlet and intellectual challenge that sewing provides ever since. A willing gadfly among many fiber techniques including knitting, needle felting, and surface enhancement, garment sewing has remained her main focus throughout. She believes that no matter how old we get, it's still all about the clothes.
Liana is a founder of Stitcher's Guild, a popular internet forum, and also maintains a personal sewing blog, Sew Intriguing. She makes her home in Lincoln,Nebraska.

We look forward to seeing you on October 1,2011. We meet at the Holiday Inn which is in the Apparel Center across from the Merchandise Mart. The meeting begins at 10:30. Parking is $5.00.

Bonjour!, and welcome.
As I shared with you in the last post, the fashion show for the Haute Couture Club this year is Le Tour De France. The first segment of the show will be our travel segment. After all,  to travel through France we must first leave America. And what do we all dream of? We dream of the perfect travel wardrobe.
Our April 2012 speaker will be Christine Jonson. She has a lovely line of patterns and a great fabric selection as well. You can find her website here. We will be featuring her Travel Trio patterns. They are perfect patterns for a travel wardrobe, very wearable and all made from knits.

We will have her patterns available at our first meeting. This gives everyone ample time to put together a travel wardrobe. We will have a challenge at this meeting and Christine will be our judge. You do not need to use her patterns for this challenge. We are just trying to give you a starting point.
Hope to see you on September 10, 2011. It will be a great meeting.
Your blog mistress is putting together a number of the pieces above. If you would like to check out what I am doing, you can find me here.

A New Year/A New Show

We're Back!!!

We have a fabulous year ahead of us. You won't want to miss it.

The theme of this year's fashion show will be...............

Le Tour De France

We're very excited about the show.

The date of the show is May 6, 2012 and we will once again have the show in the lovely Sauganash Ballroom at the Holiday Inn in the Chicago Mart Plaza.

Many more details will follow, so come back often.

It's great to be back!

Hooray for Hollywood

We are very excited to announce out first challenge for the upcoming year. The challenge centers around films, not just any film, but Oscar winning films. Simply put, your outfit must be centered around one of the 82 Best Picture Winners. To help you get started you may view a list of the films at www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Award_for_Best_Picture.
Your imagination can run wild, as the subject matter of these films covers all genres - from westerns to love stories to period films to sci-fi and more. No matter where your tastes lie, one of these movies will fit the bill.
This challenge will take place on November 6,2010. This date gives you plenty of time to revisit one of these films if nesessary. Maybe you would like to take a winner from the 40's and bring it up to reflect the present day. Or perhaps you would like to choose a period film to transport your creation back to that time. You have the entire summer to create, watch movies and decide what you would like to do.
As usual, the rules are minimal. You must create a garment centered around one of the films from the list of Oscar winning films. You may include accessories if you wish, but a garment (dress, suit, skirt, coat, etc.) must be involved. You choose the fabrics and the color. Just make sure that there is a cohesive look to your entry and that the entry item is finished. The competition will be judged and prizes will be awarded.
To enter this challenge you must be a member of Haute Couture. If you are not a member, you may email us at hautecouturechicago@yahoo.com. Our dues are very reasonable, $20.00 for the entire year. With the payment of your dues you will receive our newsletter, Tailored Tales, well worth the $20.00 dues payment .
If anyone would like to share what they are doing, we would love to post your pictures, just send us an email with your pictures attached.
Enjoy the Challenge!!
Your Blog Mistress

Welcome to Our New Blog

Welcome to our new blog. In the upcoming months, you will be able to have up to the minute information on all that is happening at Haute Couture.
Our final meeting of the year will be this Saturday at Al-Hambra Restaurant on Randolph here in Chicago. We will recognize all of our new members, an incredible number, 33 in the last year. We will also announce our winners of the our Participation Awards. Out Participation Award recognizes members who have attended meetings, participated in the show and tell segment, brought a guest, participated in the challenges and have worn a garment that they have made to the meeting. We also have a Membership Drive Award. Any member who brings in 3 new members receives a free membership for the following year. And last, but not least, we will install our new officers for the upcoming year.
If you have any questions about Haute Couture, would like to receive a complimentary copy of our newsletter, you are welcome to post a comment on this blog or you may email us at hautecouturechicago@yahoo.com.
We will have many new and exciting events to announce, so come back often.
The Haute Couture Blog Mistress