Create Custom Couture Trim with Mary Funt - 1st & 2nd May 2025

We are very happy to welcome Mary Funt to the Sewing Room, this time in person!  Mary joined us on Zoom during lockdown and will now be giving an in person workshop on creating custom trim.

Mary has been writing her blog Cloning Couture since 2014 which explores the world of Couture Sewing.

After finding that the ready-made trim which is available to buy lacks the softness and quality found in couture garments Mary has developed several methods to enable you to create your own trim to match your fabric. 

Join Mary Funt for an in-depth exploration of custom trims. What is the advantage of making a custom trim? Finding matching or coordinating trims can be difficult. Often the tones don’t quite blend and the trim comes off as looking like it doesn’t quite belong with the fabric. In high end fashion, trims are custom made to compliment the fabric. Also, most commercially made trims are much stiffer and heavier than the couture versions. Take a shopping trip to the designer boutiques and feel the difference. The trims used in this high end clothing is much lighter and more supple than the majority of what’s available in a ready-made version.

In this two day class, we’ll explore numerous methods for creating a custom trim designed to complement your fabric/s. Topics discussed include: selecting yarns, various crochet and braiding techniques, using fibers pulled from fabric yardage, how to choose the best shades and textures, matching difficult colors plus much more.

The techniques used in this class haven’t been taught in any of Mary’s previous classes. We will explore loads of new ideas gathered from recent collections of Chanel garments. You are encouraged to bring your own yardage plus yarns to create a unique trim perfectly suited to your fabric. A detailed supply list will be sent prior to class.

You will enjoy this class if you have basic experience with crocheting. The techniques aren’t complicated but you should be familiar with making a crochet chain, single, double and half double crochet stitches. 

If you are new to crochet there is a beginners guide here 

Picture 1 - Trim using coordinated silk fabric

Pictures 2,3,4 & 5 - Difficult to match colours: trims using yarns pulled from fabric yardage

Pictures 6 & 7 - Fall 2025 Collection. Trim created using crochet stitches plus pearls.

Picture 8 - Trim ideas for red, navy, grey. Fibers unwoven from the fabric as possible choices for yarns.

 

Materials Needed:  as listed above

Level: Intermediate

Venue: The Midhurst Sewing Room

Date: Thursday 1st & Friday 2nd May 2025

    PLEASE NOTE:  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND JUST ONE OF THE DAYS THAT IS        ABSOLUTELY FINE, YOU WILL STILL LEARN LOTS OF TECHNIQUES TO MAKE            CUSTOM TRIM.

Workshop Start/End time:  10am - 4pm BST

Workshop Duration: 2 days

Workshop Tutor: Mary Funt