Fashion Miniatures - Course Content - Week 2 - Advanced

*This course is suitable for advanced sewists who are comfortable with hand-sewing techniques. 

The Couture Bustier Dress in Lace

Inspired by the iconic Miss Dior silhouette, this five-day workshop explores the construction of a sophisticated bustier dress in miniature, combining corsetry techniques, silk satin and intricate lacework.

Working on a miniature dress allows students to experience the complete construction

process while focusing on precision, craft and refined finishing techniques. Students will discover the hidden architecture behind a beautifully structured dress: constructing an internal corset, creating boning channels, shaping the bodice with fine boning, and achieving a luxurious silk satin finish.

Lace becomes an integral part of the design. Through careful study of its motifs, transparency and drape, students will learn how to position, cut and incorporate lace to enhance the lines and proportions of the dress. We have organised a thrilling collaboration with Sophie Hallette, a legendary French lace-maker who continue to manufacture breath-taking lace fabrics and ribbons today. You will be using their fabrics with Elisa in the studio and then Rebecca will take you on an exclusive visit to their showroom in Paris.

A deep dive into structure, precision and delicate craft — on a miniature scale, where every millimetre matters.

Classes run Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, offering a total of 15 hours of studio time. 

Both the intermediate and advanced Fashion Miniatures programmes will be complimented by a pre-recorded online course of the tutorials and techniques included in the in-person classes. This will be an invaluable educational resource, an opportunity to revise, refine and master the techniques learned in Paris. 

The course will be taught entirely in English by Elisa with a classroom assistant available where needed.

All materials—fabrics, threads, tools, and notions—are included. Artesane have sourced the materials from the finest French manufacturers so that with every stitch we are supporting French artisans and learning about the Haute Couture ateliers. Rebecca will accompany you on visits to several fabulous boutiques, where you can purchase fabrics, trimmings, and accessories to recreate the design in either miniature or full scale.

• Constructing a miniature couture dress
• Building an internal corset with dancer seams
• Silk satin lining for a luxurious inner finish
• Creating boning channels within the corset construction
• Traditional thread marking for precise construction
• Understanding lace: motif, direction, transparency and drape
• Creative lace placement to enhance the silhouette
• Lace appliqué and/or integrating lace into construction seams
• Building and assembling the inner structure and outer dress
• Invisible side zipper insertion for a clean, uninterrupted silhouette
• Bias-bound corset edge for a precise and refined finish
• Narrow machine-rolled hem for a delicate, lightweight finish
• Hand finishing for a beautifully crafted interior

If your application is successful, you will be invited to a live online session to meet Rebecca and Elisa so we can introduce the course schedule, learning objectives, the bustier gown pattern and answer any questions about the Fashion Miniatures educational program before your arrival in Paris.

Day 1 — The Architecture of the Dress

• Welcome and introduction to the miniature project
• Understanding the construction of a corseted bustier dress
• Exploring structure, support and silhouette on a miniature scale
• Introduction to traditional thread marking
• Begin thread marking the pattern pieces

Day 2 — Building the Corset

• Complete thread marking and cutting
• Construct the miniature internal corset using dancer seams
• Create and position the boning channels
• Construct and apply the silk satin lining
• Insert fine 3 mm boning to shape and support the bodice
• Assemble the underskirt

Day 3 — The Art of Lace

• Join the internal corset and underskirt
• Learn how to read and analyse lace before cutting
• Study motif, direction, drape and transparency
• Explore lace placement directly on the miniature
• Position motifs to complement the lines and proportions of the silhouette
• Prepare the lace for appliqué or integration into construction seams

Day 4 — Sculpting the Silhouette

• Construct the outer bodice
• Incorporate lace through appliqué and/or construction seams
• Construct the outer skirt and integrate the lace design
• Join the bodice and skirt
• Layer and connect the outer dress to its internal corset
• Finish the upper edge of the corset with bias binding

Day 5 — Couture Finishing

• Create a fine machine-rolled hem
• Insert the invisible side zipper
• Hand-finish the internal corset around the zipper
• Final pressing and meticulous finishing
• Reveal the finished miniature silhouette

Participants must already be comfortable with basic hand-sewing techniques, including threading a needle, basting/tacking, running stitch, back stitch, darts, pleats, and French seams. While prior experience in historical dressmaking or couture methods is an advantage, it is not mandatory—enthusiasm, patience, and skill with a needle are the true essentials.

*In order for your application to be considered, we would ask you to complete our questionnaire and sewing sample. - The sewing sample is not required for previous Fashion Miniatures from Paris participants.