Introducing the Garment Getaway: Dress Fitting Weekend!

Are you, like me, obsessed with Project Runway? Do you dream about being a contestant and hearing the always-dapper Tim Gunn tell you to "make it work"? Okay, realistically, being on Project Runway may not be in the cards for us, but we can still pretend!

So, with that thought in mind, it's great to introduce the Garment Getaway: Dress Fitting Weekend, co-hosted by Sew OK.

Started in 2013 by Jemellia Hilfiger, Sew OK was created to join sewists, quilters, stitchers and party people together, while encouraging friendships and building a community based on love, laughter, admiration and creativity. Each summer, Sew OK holds a popular quilt retreat in Oklahoma City, with past quilt instructors including Lizzy House, Latifah Saafir, and Sheri Lynn Wood.

This year, Jemellia wanted to shift from quilting to sewing and have the retreat be held closer to Tulsa. Owl & Drum has enjoyed being the featured pop-up shop at Sew OK's past retreats, so partnering up with Jemellia for this sewing retreat is a dream of ours. With the focus being on garment fitting, it was the perfect collaboration for us. We have been doing apparel classes here at the shop since close soon after opening. Plus, we already have the perfect instructor, Mary Perisho!

Mary, a fiber arts instructor, comes from several generations of seamstresses and tailors - and she adores sharing her skills with students of all ages. She began sewing as a child. Mary has designed and constructed everything from accessories, interior items, children's toys and clothing to custom formal gowns, theatrical costumes and clothing for her wardrobe. Mary enjoys all the stitching crafts - including quilting, embroidery, knitting and crochet - and has created original works in those mediums for various art shows and special occasions.

Mary earned a bachelor of arts in Humanities from the University of Oklahoma, and conducted academic study focusing on traditional women’s handcrafts. Currently a sewing teacher at Owl & Drum, where she teaches both children and adults in group and private lessons, she also teaches in public schools throughout the Tulsa  area with the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa's Artists in Schools program. Teaching dressmaking and pattern fitting is a special focus for Mary, and she always helps sewists of all skill levels learn to make clothing they will love to wear!  

The dress that we have chosen to teach at our Garment Getaway is from Alison Glass's Woven Essentials pattern booklet. We will be making the sleeveless version of the fitted bodice dress - with the option of the gathered waist or darted-sheath design. Plus, if you would like to add a contrasting fabric inset to the bodice that will be welcome, too. 

During the class, each student will get a personal fitting with Mary, learn how to trace and cut the dress pattern, make a muslin and get the perfect fit - plus, learning all of the elements necessary to make this beautiful dress!

We have limited the Garment Getaway sewing retreat to just 8 students to ensure that each student will get plenty of one-on-one time with Mary.

So, if you are looking for a fun weekend trip that includes sewing, good food, inspiration and many laughs then the Garment Getaway is for you! The retreat fee includes lodging, all meals, the dress fitting class, dress pattern, and some extra goodies.

We have even made it easier by offering an option to pay half now and the remaining balance next January. As of this post's publishing date, we still have some places available, so click here to sign up . . . It's going to be a great Garment Getaway!