Le Grand Chic Italia has perfected this pattern drafting technique over the past 70+ years virtually eliminating most mathematical calculations! This is one of the most in-depth programs around teaching students how to create bespoke garments for personal use, discerning clients or industry. Courses are flexible either live or online, private or in a group the choice is the students'. Add your name to our mailing list to receive info on upcoming classes or read Maria's blog to see what current students are doing.
Contact Maria at 705 487-2328 or email mcalautti@rogers.com
Contact Maria at 705 487-2328 or email mcalautti@rogers.com
Tools of the trade
Here is a picture of the "squares" used to create the beautiful garments seen on this website. Truly easy to use as they are all pre-marked, so all the draftsperson has to do is mark and go! For the tops we have our little "drafting 2-step". Starting with a right angle using the blue square mark 1, 2, 3, then slide down and mark 4, 5, 6, connect the dots and the base front is done! The added bonus is that personal measurements are used so the garment can't help but fit. Along the way students learn how to make adjustments for an even more perfect fit.
My mantra is
"there is no such thing as an imperfect body, only imperfect clothes"
"the clothes must fit the body, not the body fit the clothes"
The instruction book has step by step instruction on how to draft the patterns, complemented by the in class instruction and students really get a good grasp of pattern drafting for custom clothing. Kits available from Maria Calautti
The Le Grand Chic method of pattern making and garment construction is based on 3 books:
Book 1 - Pattern Drafting and basic tailoring
This course will teach the fundamentals of pattern drafting, garment construction and fitting garments using personal measurements, students will learn many tricks only known to seasoned tailors in the past on how to make a garment look sculpted to the body with no drag or pull lines. They will learn how to take accurate measurements and how the numbers impact the overall design to create impeccably fitting garments starting with a right angle and some lines on paper. Truly an amazing course especially for anyone who has fit issues, once you have tried custom, bespoke garments you will never go back to off the rack! Once students finish book 1 they receive a Certificate of Completion from Italy.
Book 2 - La Modellista (Pattern Maker)
Book 2 builds on what students have learned in book 1 taking them into the world of draping, raglan sleeves with shaping on the body, more pants and more complex skirts. Once students finish book 2 they qualify for a tailoring diploma from Italy. With further instruction they may earn their pattern maker diploma
Book 3 - Tecnica Sartoriale per l'abbigliamento maschile/feminile (Sartorial techniques for ladies and mens wear)
This book will take students into the world of tried and true tailoring methods that have been updated to reflect today's needs and time constraints. Students will also delve into very complex designs only seasoned tailors/designers will attempt to create. The students' imagination is their only limit. Once book 3 is finished students will qualify for a design diploma.
An instructor credential may also be earned in the process if students wish to teach this method.
Check out the demo videos below to see how very easy the process is.
Book 2 builds on what students have learned in book 1 taking them into the world of draping, raglan sleeves with shaping on the body, more pants and more complex skirts. Once students finish book 2 they qualify for a tailoring diploma from Italy. With further instruction they may earn their pattern maker diploma
Book 3 - Tecnica Sartoriale per l'abbigliamento maschile/feminile (Sartorial techniques for ladies and mens wear)
This book will take students into the world of tried and true tailoring methods that have been updated to reflect today's needs and time constraints. Students will also delve into very complex designs only seasoned tailors/designers will attempt to create. The students' imagination is their only limit. Once book 3 is finished students will qualify for a design diploma.
An instructor credential may also be earned in the process if students wish to teach this method.
Check out the demo videos below to see how very easy the process is.
Graduating class of 2016!
From left to right are John our councilor, Meaghan, Denise, Danielle, Judith, Linda, Kelli, Tonia, Maria and the mayor or Oro-Medonte Harry. It was a wonderful day and ceremony this was the very first time a group of students received the tailor diploma outside of Italy and the first time the whole class earned perfect marks! Antonia was very impressed with the precision, neatness and care the exams were exectued. I am a very proud teacher indeed!
From left to right are John our councilor, Meaghan, Denise, Danielle, Judith, Linda, Kelli, Tonia, Maria and the mayor or Oro-Medonte Harry. It was a wonderful day and ceremony this was the very first time a group of students received the tailor diploma outside of Italy and the first time the whole class earned perfect marks! Antonia was very impressed with the precision, neatness and care the exams were exectued. I am a very proud teacher indeed!
Project Catwalk - 2010
The students are in full gear preparing for Project Catwalk next week, very excited about the challenge! They have some GREAT ideas! This is kind of like baptism by fire for them, they are getting a crash course on how to draft tops, considering that they have only had THREE CLASSES on skirts only........ I think they are doing a FANTASTIC job so far! Keep you posted with any new developments.
IMAGINE CREATING YOUR OWN PERSONAL DESIGNS THAT ACTUALLY FIT!
Isn't this AMAZING?! Created in only 3 days a reversable cape, LUX the boot covers, an assymetrical dress with embellishments and a hat!!!! How great are the students! This year's Project Catwalk entry garments. Look out next year, here we come!!!
Project Catwalk 2011 Denise and Amy JOB WELL DONE!
What a dress and coat! These two ladies created the whole outfit in only 2 and half days including the ring! The did an amazing job as you can see. Read the description in Denise's own words;
"European Pattern Drafting offered at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario, brings students into the classroom to teach them how to take an idea from pen, to paper, to pattern, to Perfection. Techniques taught in this course curriculum help produce fine tailors of the future. With a course directly imported from Le Grand Chic Italia, where clothes fit the body instead of the body fitting the clothes, instructor Maria Calautti opens the door to endless garment design.
The 2011 Project Catwalk held at the CreativFestival showcased Georgian College as one of 4 competing schools. Students designed a garment suitable to wear to the Royal Wedding for a style icon of their choice; ours was Marlene Dietrich. Her style was unquestionable and unwaveringly classic. Not only was she a wonderful actress, but she was also an accomplished seamstress, milliner and showgirl with a family background in fine jewellery, making every accessory of the utmost importance in every outfit she donned. Her interests included the violin, poetry and theatre. Marlene was known for her meticulous awareness of what her body language was saying down to the last detail. She was awarded the Medal of Freedom and the Legion d”honneur for her wartime work supporting the troops in WWII during which time she still made her own fashion statement even in full uniform.
This dupioni silk dress with touches of gold sparkle, embroidered silk hat, gold gloves and stretch taffeta fake fur trimmed coat, embodies every aspect of style Marlene herself would have chosen to wear to the royal wedding today. From head to toe to fingertip, this ensemble is as fluid as the iconic style Marlene was known for. Not shown, is a matching crystal ring with slivers of silk embedded in the stones. She loved when her gowns simply grazed the floor for that little touch of elegance and showmanship whilst maintaining her chic look and simplicity."
Marlene was quoted as saying,
“I dress for myself. Not for the image, not for the public, not for the fashion, not for men.”
By taking the European Pattern Drafting course created originally in Italy by Le Grand Chic Italia, one is able to bring any pattern to life for themselves or others with the perfect fit every time. Join us and see for yourself.
"European Pattern Drafting offered at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario, brings students into the classroom to teach them how to take an idea from pen, to paper, to pattern, to Perfection. Techniques taught in this course curriculum help produce fine tailors of the future. With a course directly imported from Le Grand Chic Italia, where clothes fit the body instead of the body fitting the clothes, instructor Maria Calautti opens the door to endless garment design.
The 2011 Project Catwalk held at the CreativFestival showcased Georgian College as one of 4 competing schools. Students designed a garment suitable to wear to the Royal Wedding for a style icon of their choice; ours was Marlene Dietrich. Her style was unquestionable and unwaveringly classic. Not only was she a wonderful actress, but she was also an accomplished seamstress, milliner and showgirl with a family background in fine jewellery, making every accessory of the utmost importance in every outfit she donned. Her interests included the violin, poetry and theatre. Marlene was known for her meticulous awareness of what her body language was saying down to the last detail. She was awarded the Medal of Freedom and the Legion d”honneur for her wartime work supporting the troops in WWII during which time she still made her own fashion statement even in full uniform.
This dupioni silk dress with touches of gold sparkle, embroidered silk hat, gold gloves and stretch taffeta fake fur trimmed coat, embodies every aspect of style Marlene herself would have chosen to wear to the royal wedding today. From head to toe to fingertip, this ensemble is as fluid as the iconic style Marlene was known for. Not shown, is a matching crystal ring with slivers of silk embedded in the stones. She loved when her gowns simply grazed the floor for that little touch of elegance and showmanship whilst maintaining her chic look and simplicity."
Marlene was quoted as saying,
“I dress for myself. Not for the image, not for the public, not for the fashion, not for men.”
By taking the European Pattern Drafting course created originally in Italy by Le Grand Chic Italia, one is able to bring any pattern to life for themselves or others with the perfect fit every time. Join us and see for yourself.
PROJECT CATWALK 2012
from left to right: Maria, Caroline, Meaghan, Amy and Margaret at the Festival
Check out the slide show in the special events page
Genvieve looking radiant! The shrug is removable, the train is also removable, so once the dance starts, she can have a beautiful party dress. To show respect to the Church, Genvieve chose a shrug to cover her shoulders and back, the dress itself is strapless, made with a built in bustier that not only keeps the dress secure but also shapes the soft tissue around the middle to a gorgeous hour-glass figure in the same manner as the Cynch It pants. The lace is hand beaded with crystals that are clear and sparkle when the light hits them. The hats were made by Meaghan Armstrong of Le Petit Chapeau in Barrie, Ontario.
To walk outside Genvieve had a cape that was wool on one side and shantung on the other, and was also lined with thinsulate in the middle for warmth. Her something old was a trim on the cape that was from 1973 that worked perfectly with the whole look!
Pictured below are both Genevieve and Maria in their creations that were made to measure, hand finished gowns. Maria's shawl is tied by threading one end through very large buttonholes that both rouched and fastened it in place.
To walk outside Genvieve had a cape that was wool on one side and shantung on the other, and was also lined with thinsulate in the middle for warmth. Her something old was a trim on the cape that was from 1973 that worked perfectly with the whole look!
Pictured below are both Genevieve and Maria in their creations that were made to measure, hand finished gowns. Maria's shawl is tied by threading one end through very large buttonholes that both rouched and fastened it in place.
dresses by Maria Calautti, created with the Le Grand Chic pattern drafting method