12 couture secrets

The author of more than 20 sewing books and videos, Claire Shaeffer shares a few couture secrets which you can incorporate in your everyday sewing. According to Claire, couture techniques are not difficult and will take your designs to a new level. Recognizing your busy schedule, Claire doesn't waste time with her descriptions. This video includes several zipper secrets, how to eliminate gaping, lingerie guards, how to mark and cut bias, ribbon waist stays, thread casings, braided elastic, couture understitching, cross stitches, how to mark center front, and lingerie guards.

[@karinbaird2499]

Thank you Claire🙏🏼💞 The quarter inch gap in the waist stay over the zipper is my favourite. It just makes so much sense 😁

[@claireshaeffer7616]

Thank you Lara. When teaching, I frequently forget that I don't know what you don't know; and many things that are second nature get overlooked.

[@ritikaverma023]

1 design secret, when u have astunning fabric u don't need a complex design. Fantastic to learn basic couture tech like bastings, thread tracing

[@iagonizante]

wow i loved the elastic for necklines! I've got to try it one of these days!

[@michellewelch6013]

Lots of good info here, things my mom taught me but I frankly had forgotten. Thank you for the reminders. The elastic to prevent gap on a neckline or armhole is genius! And I didnt know that the stitch used is called Cat Stitch. Thank you!

[@claireshaeffer7616]

Michelle, it's a catchstitch. The English call it a herringbone stitch. C

[@deidrabenson361]

Liked them all! Thanks sooo very much for sharing your knowledge and expertise!❤️❤️❤️

[@robyn3349]

Thank you! Learning 'secrets' makes me excited to sew!

[@TodayinJensSewingRoom]

I love the idea of the waist stay with hooks and eyes although I'll likely never do it unless it's on a formal garment. But putting the ribbon behind the zipper and using a hook/eye or snap at the waist is genius! I also appreciate the gaping solution as I just had to put darts in an armhole to alleviate this problem.

[@saritshull3909]

It would make more sense to put a waist stay on something that gets daily use than on a formal outfit. simply because the strain on the zip is occurring more often.

[@pambain9415]

Excellent techniques. I find it so satisfying to hand understitch.

[@lalluccia74]

Wow! I love all this tips, most of them I did not know about. I will definitely try some of them in my daily sewing projects. Your knowledge is so valuable!

[@stephaniefeddock776]

Great tips, that you for sharing. I loved hearing about the two zippers on the skirt for ease of getting in but hiding the zipper under a jacket.

[@claireshaeffer7616]

Thank you. I appreciate your comments. I'm working on some Tailoring "Secrets". C

[@stephaniefeddock776]

@@claireshaeffer7616 I can't wait. I love your books. In fact I was referencing Couture Sewing Tailoring Techniques and Couture Sewing Techniques today for converting darts to ease. You channel is magical and I enjoy the content.

[@cristinastefan3283]

Thank you!

[@es70]

This is amazing ❤❤

[@pcarre8694]

Thank you so much. Can’t wait to use these techniques, and those in your book - a cherished present!

[@claireshaeffer7616]

Thank you for your comment.

[@olhamukhina7570]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@jenniferclifford4669]

Hi Claire I'm intrigued by the remedy for gaping necklines, a perpetual problem for me. Thank you for these videos, they're very inspiring.

[@claireshaeffer7616]

Jennifer, the elastic can also be narrow. C

[@Dashzap]

#10 for gaping necklines. Thank you! We'd sew lingerie straps into our clothes when I was younger. Sometime post 1980 it became acceptable to show your bra straps. (Although I have not got used to it.)

[@annethevenot461]

Hi Claire. I like the waist stay that keeps the zipper from straining.

[@janehoworth7092]

I found all of these tips interesting. The gaping neck/armhole is a perpetual problem for me. I’ve fixed it in the past by running and pulling up some hand gathering in the facings of gaping areas of a finished garment, but I will try your elastic solution too.

[@claireshaeffer7616]

Please return with the results from your trial.

[@betsey1267]

Hi! I am working on a tunic where I would like to cut the body on the bias out of striped fabric. I can match the stripes on one side but am having difficulty matching them on the other side seam. Do you have any hints or tips for working with stripes on the bias or for dealing with extra fabric necessitated for matching seams? Thank you!

[@lindaabraham8715]

I like the idea of using 2 zippers on the back of the skirt, to hide the closure under a jacket. I would like to know more about closure options. I found out that possible designs are restricted by just the need to get in and out of the garment, and especially when there is no one available to help you dress, and you can't wear a wide (e.g., boat) or low neckline. There are probably principles that must be followed, but so far I have not seen any.

[@claireshaeffer7616]

Linda, I have one dress with a CB zip that stops about 4" short of the neckline so it doesn't interfere with the binding. Underarm zips used to be popular. I'll think about this some more.