I have always been fascinated by the Chanel Jacket and longed to learn how to make one. As I cannot afford to fly to the US for a workshop with Susan Khalje I decided to take 2 days off work last September and paid for a 2 day Chanel Jacket course at the Alison Smith School of Sewing. The cost of the course was £192 which was paid in advance.
I was very disappointed with the course in terms of value for money – I cannot fault the tutor who was very knowledgeable and very patient but the facilities did not allow for 3 of us to have enough space to cut things out simultaneously, there was only one ironing board which meant a queue – a lot of time was spent cutting out a pattern and doing some hand sewing and not much time on the actual construction of a jacket – to be honest it would have been better if the tutor had just showed us these elements of construction.
I think the thing that got me the most was that on the second day I was asked to pay £45 for materials. There was no mention of this on the booking form or confirmation letter. I was a bit miffed about this to say the least especially as I went home with half a jacket that was of absolutely no use to me at all. I would have a hard time justifying a £45 spend on fabric when there is nothing to show for it. Unfortunately this did taint the whole course for me. I paid up reluctantly but not without complaining first.
I have noticed that the school now offers a 3 day course in which you do actually make a Chanel Jacket for yourself – this is a much better idea. When I came home I thought that it would have been much better if, in preparation for the course I could have gone with a toile that fitted me, the materials for the jacket and then spent the course putting it all together. I cannot, with hindsight, see what I got out of the course that a bit of research and trying out for myself could not have achieved. Not recommended for anyone with a serious intention of making a Chanel Jacket.
On the plus side the staff there were lovely and the shop does have a lovely range of fabrics. I would be interested to know what others think of this course if they have been on it.
I have not been on any Alison Smith courses, but have been on loads of Gill Arnold courses, and they were all wonderful. I live in Birmingham, so this was convenient for me. Congratulations on your blog. It’s lovely to find a U.K. sewing blog!
Kind regards,
Christine Butcher
Thanks for your comment. I have heard of Gill Arnold but not been on any of her courses but will definitely look them up now. I am going on a Michelle Pye course in April which is a weekend bra making course so will let you know how I get on. It is so disappointing when a course fails. One of the girls on the Chanel course had flown down from Dundee. She could have gone to Spain for a week on what it cost her in total!
I remember being astounded at how much I learned during the first five minutes of the first of Gill’s courses I went on!
Good luck with the bra-making.
Christine Butcher
I came across your post on Chanel jackets a week or so ago while searching for information on Chanel techniques. I’ve finished my jacket now with good results. It is a Chanel-like pattern with simplified technique that produce a very nice result. Like you, I hope to make a “real” Chanel utilizing all the couture techniques, but until then, I think Vogue 7975 is a quite nice alternative.
I am really pleased to hear that you had good results. I have got a pattern, fabric and now some trim but still hesitating over putting scissors onto fabric. It is on my bucket list to do and more enthused since my visit to Paris which was very inspiring.
I look forward to seeing your jacket when it’s finished.