Kits are finally here!

I finally have kits to sell! It’s taken a while to translate some of techniques in Creating Couture Embellishment (aka CCE, The Book) into kits. After refining a technique into a great project, I had to source quality fabrics, cords and tools, create the “enhanced” directions and photos, figure out packaging & shipping and calculate the cost per kit, but I’ve done it. I’ve also tested the kits on fellow ASDP members (Association of Sewing & Design Professionals), ASG (American Sewing Guild) and MVC-EGA members (Merrimack Valley Chapter of Embroiderers’ Guild of America).

In February, I taught three workshops, via Zoom, to some of the members of the Needlework and Textile Guild of Michigan using the kits: Fanciful Feathers, Chinese Knots, Corded Quilting. We had a great time together. Each workshop was three hours long. The Feathers and Chinese Knots workshops produced completed samples. The Corded Quilting workshop established the process of corded quilting, but everyone had more sewing to do to complete their samples.

There are currently 7 kits in my “store.”  The photos below are taken from The Book to illustrate which technique the kit will feature.  Kit specific photos are coming soon.

Bodacious Braids

 

Choice Chinese Knots

Clarifying Corded Quilting/Boutis Provencal- by hand sewing

Clarifying Corded Quilting/Boutis Provencal- by machine sewing

Fanciful Feathers*

Incomparable Carnations

Versatile Reverse Applique

I am working on the descriptions for these kits. The descriptions need to be written with a tempting tone, which is new for me. When I teach I speak in a casual, chatty style, “ Smooch this over…”   When writing Creating Couture Embellishment I learned to write in precise, academic style, “Ease this in 1/8” (.125cm)…” Now I am learning a new voice: fun, engaging, “Of course you want this…”. Happily, I do believe you want this kit. I do believe that the kits are fun and engaging.

In each kit you will find:

• Enhanced directions in a folder; all the photos are larger and the type is bigger than in The Book.
• The special tools you will need for the project: a needle puller and 3 different needles for Corded Quilting, a gridded pinning board and pins for Chinese Knots, the special bias-cut ribbon for Carnations, etc.
• The basic materials for each sample: a piece of silk & muslin fabric and filler for Corded Quilting, the satin cord in several sizes for Chinese Knots, etc.

The kits are skill builders; by working through the kit you will learn a couture embellishment technique. Each kit takes about 3 hours to complete, except Corded Quilting, which takes longer.

Each kit costs $35.00 including taxes and shipping.

*Fanciful Feathers kits are only available as a bulk purchase, minimum order 8 kits.

My next couple of posts will have specifics about each kit; what’s in it, what you need from your workroom, etc.

If you want a kit email me directly @ coutureellen5@gmail.com.