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HAUTE
COUTURE
INTENSIVE

Gain access to couture techniques used only in the finest ateliers and elevate your sewing skills with this condensed couture masterclass.

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Made to inspire, this immersive, hands-on program will boost your fashion knowledge and couture confidence in just four days.

Learn advanced techniques and make the garments of your dreams, surrounded by a community of creators.

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MEET YOUR
INSTRUCTOR.

Enter the world of couture with Rachel Ford, founder and CEO of Made Institute, as she shares insights from her 20-year career in fashion and a decade working alongside couture masters at the Opera Philadelphia. She’ll pass on this bespoke art form, giving you the tools to master the craft through expert demonstrations and comprehensive couture instruction.

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CURRICULUM
OVERVIEW

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DAY 1: DESIGN THROUGH DRAPING

Sculpt any body type to meet your personal, client, or model’s needs. Learn basic sketching with a croquis, style tape, and the “physics” of a bodice. Begin draping your concepts as we discuss how to incorporate boned bodice elements, princess seams, necklines, waistlines, and understand trueing drape to pattern.

  • Dress Form Padding

    Design

    *Lunch

    Draping

    Pattern to Fit

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DAY 2: FITTINGS AND FABRICS

Get ready to cut, sew, and fit your design! Learn how to translate fit issues into pattern corrections, and how to place and sew couture boning into your garments.

  • Toiles

    Pattern Edits

    *Lunch

    Spiral Steel Boning

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DAY 3: SKIRT SCULPTURE

Discover which technique is right for your design. Whether draping or patternmaking, you’ll learn what materials create different dramatic effects and watch your design come to life.

  • Draping vs. Patternmaking

    Form & Function

    *Lunch

    Full Toile Fittings

    Fabric Cutting Techniques

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DAY 4: FINISHINGS

Finish and customize your garments with all the hems, zippers, and waist stays to make them functional. Participate in live model fittings to perfect fit, proportions, and alterations.

  • Couture Finishings

    Model Fittings

    *Lunch

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PERKS & MORE

Thought we were only making high-fashion garments? Haute Couture students get access to all these extras.

  • Lunch provided for all four days

    BTS Tour of the Costume Shop at Opera Philadelphia

    Professional Photoshoot

    Feature on Made Institute’s Social Media

    Connections to Made Institute’s creative community

    Certificate of completion

LEARNING
OUTCOMES

Dress Form Padding for Custom Client Work

Made’s founder and couture expert will demonstrate the art of body-building on the form to create precise silhouettes that match a client’s figure.

Design to Drape

Through exploring proportion, line, and silhouette, students will translate their unique designs into a pattern drape. We’ll demonstrate draping principles focusing on balance, grain, and contour to guide students through advanced pattern drafting.

Fit and Pattern Edits

Fittings are the foundation of couture. Students will learn how to identify fit issues and translate solutions into their patterns.

Couture Understructures

Students will learn the complete couture method of corset making. Bone placements, underwires, interfacings, handwork, and couture materials will be thoroughly covered.

Couture Embellishments and Finishes

From beading and appliqué to baby hems and grommets, students will learn how to add the finishing touches to their one-of-a-kind garments.

Client Etiquette and Best Practices 

We’ll discuss best practices for working with clients to ensure professionalism and repeat business. This includes taking measurements, respecting body sensitivities, obtaining consent, contracts, deposits, timelines, pricing, and managing delays. We will also cover how to make even the most challenging clients have a positive experience.

A woman in a shiny blue satin two-piece outfit with a crop top and high-waisted pants stands against an ornate metal door with floral patterns, touching her face with her left hand, in an indoor setting with marble walls and a beige floor.
A woman in a flowing green and gold gown with high heels, standing against a plain background.

WINTER 2026

Program Cost: $1,500

Registration Deadline: January 9th

Program Dates & Time: January 16, 17, 18, 19 (10-6 pm)

Location: Made Rittenhouse, 1719 Chestnut St., Second Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Class Size: Limited to 10 students

*This is a masterclass. Students should have advanced sewing skills and knowledge of garment construction.

  • Supplies needed are available for purchase on Day 1:

    5-10 yds of muslin

    5-10 yds of medium-weight fashion fabric. Quantity is design-dependent (brocade, satin, wool, taffeta, cotton twill, etc.). Natural fibers preferred!

    5-10 yds of lining. Quantity is design dependent (china silk, cotton sheeting, poly-acetate)

    Clear 18" ruler

    Sewing Pins

    Draping Pins (no ball head)

    Seam Ripper

    Beeswax

    Thimble

    Sharp fabric scissors

    Thread to match fabric

    "Long-Sharp" hand sewing needles

    Measuring Tape

    Marking Pencil (regular #2 pencil is fine)

    1 yd Fusible Weft Interfacing or Fusible chiffon (fashion fabric weight dependent)

    3 yds 1/4" steel spiral boning + corresponding bone casing

    Soft bra cups in the appropriate size

    1/4" Tailor's Tape

    Sticky Style Tape

    Sketchbook for notes/design sketches

    Any Trims you'd like to use

    *Purchase some of these items individually from our shop. 

WANT TO TALK IT OVER?

Schedule a call

*Haute Couture Intensive is not under the purview of the Board of Private Licensed Schools.

FAQS

  • This program is perfect if you’ve been sewing your own projects and are ready to elevate your skills. It was created for people who can sew simple garments but have never draped a pattern, or for those thinking about starting a bridal or evening wear brand, or looking for a creative community. If you’ve searched everywhere for real couture techniques, this program is made for you!

  • Haute Couture Intensive is a masterclass that requires advanced sewing skills and basic knowledge of garment construction. If you’re truly a beginner, we suggest starting with our introductory sewing courses or workshops.

  • Currently, open studio access is only available to our studio members and students enrolled in the Fashion Certificate Program. Learn more about our Fashion Certificate Program or how to become a member.

  • Yes! Made Institute sells a range of fabrics and sewing notions to students and the public. Check out our shop. 

  • You can either pay for the course in full or sign up for a payment plan at checkout.

  • If you cancel your order by the original registration deadline, you will receive a full refund. If you cancel after this deadline but before the first class begins, you will receive a 50% refund. However, no refund will be provided for cancellations on or after the first day of class.

  • We invite parents, guardians, friends, and family members to come in to say hello and chat with our staff. We kindly ask that anyone not participating in the program wait outside of Made at a location of their choice until classes end. Made Institute’s Rittenhouse location is conveniently close to many cafes, shops, and the famous Rittenhouse Square, giving you plenty of options to pass the time.

  • All fashion, art, and design courses and programs are held at Made Rittenhouse, 1719 Chestnut Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

    Interested in youth offerings or workshops? These are available at our Made West location, 4719 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143.

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