May 2017 Issue

Tailored Tales The Haute Couture Club of Chicago Newsletter

Never in My Wildest Dreams

We are almost at the finish line!
Here is what you need to know for the Fashion Show. I will try to keep
it short and sweet. In This Issue
Location Fashion Show Update 1, 3
The location is the Sauganash Ballroom at the Holiday Inn Chicago Next Meeting 1
Mart Plaza. The Holiday Inn is located at 350 North Orleans Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60654. April Program Recap 2
Bryan Osburn Classes 2
Fashion Finds 4
Board Openings 5
Happy Birthday 5
Centerpiece Hats 6-7
HCCC June Banquet 8
June Banquet Speaker 9
Francine Davis Classes 9
Newberry Library Lecture 10
Soutache Ribbons Move 11

Parking Board of Directors 11

Anyone who has been to our past shows at the Holiday Inn remembers
the concrete stairs leading to your vehicles. Well the stairs are gone
and there is an elevator leading to the lower level. The Holiday Inn has
Next Meeting
gone up on the parking costs, but they gave us a $20 rate. Various September 9, 2017
public parking garages are located in the area. Prices vary. More Meeting location:
affordable parking can be found by using various parking apps.
The Chicago Bar Association
Timetable 321 S Plymouth Ct
Chicago, IL 60604
• Raffle and Vendors/Marketplace, 11:00 am (outside of Sauganash
312/554-2001
Ballroom)
• Doors open at 12:00 noon Meeting agenda:
• Lunch (Sauganash Ballroom) at 12:30 pm Socializing: 9:30 - 10 am
• Runway Show starts at 1:45 pm (or right after raffle winners are Program: 10 - 11 am
announced) Show and Share: 11 - 11:30 am
Club Business: 11:30 am - Noon

The Haute Couture Club of Chicago meets regularly on the first Saturday following Labor Day in September, and then on the first
Saturday of October, November, February, March and either April or May.
April Program Recap
Behind the Scenes at Fishman’s Fabrics
If you missed the April Haute Couture meeting, you missed and incredible program. Gregg Fishman,
owner of Fishman’s Fabrics shared the history of the store. In 1903, his great-grandfather began
the business as primarily a button and zipper store. It really wasn’t until the early 1940’s that the
store began to look like the business we know it to be today.

Over the years, changes have been made to keep the store competitive, but one thing has
remained, a thoughtful eye for high end couture fabrics. Today, the store is fairly equally divided
between home dec and fashion fabrics, but attention is paid to providing the clothing designer with
the ability to re-order fabrics. You can always find 80 shades of Bemberg lining at $10.00 per yard.
And for that truly special garment, they stock thirty-eight shades of silk charmeuse.

Fishman’s has remained the premier fabric

store in Chicago. Upon entering, your
eyes will be amazed at all there is to see,
lovely Italian leathers, silks, woolens, and
more. An entire
wall is devoted to
woolens for the
bespoke men’s
wear couture
garment. So
stop in, say hi to
Gregg and let him
know that you are
a member of the
Haute Couture
Club.

Sewing Studio with Bryan Osburn

Exclusive Sewing Classes for HCCC Members
Sewing Studio with Bryan K. Osburn continues! Members who
have attended Sewing Studio with Bryan are quite pleased with the
experience. From draping, pattern making and sewing, Bryan does it
all. Bryan has provided inspiration, consultations on fabrics, designs,
and construction.

Bryan K. Osburn has opened his sewing studio and offers exclusive
sewing classes to Haute Couture Club members on Wednesdays or
Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for $25 per session. Members
must register in advance of each class and have patterns and fabrics
cut before class.

Contact Bryan at 773-673-0067 at least one week in advance to

register for his sewing studio. Each class is limited to 3 students.

Page 2 Haute Couture Club of Chicago, NFP founded 1964

continued from page 1

Fashion Show
Vendors can start setting up between 9:45 am and 10:00 am. The vendors are:

• Francine Davis (knitwear, fabric and accessories)

• Ilene Hames (photography, painting and greeting cards
• Lauren Walker (jewelry and accessories)
• Wendy West (wall hangings, bra purses, dress forms and accessories

NOTE: The doors will not open to the public before noon. We have a model run-through that will
take place before this and we will be out of the way by noon.

Menu
Carrot Soup with ginger
Honey-Garlic Chicken with Dijon vinaigrette, sweet and spicy green beans, roasted garlic and
Greek yogurt mashed potatoes
Gemelli Pasta, fresh mozzarella, red peppers, arugula, garlic oil, toasted pine nuts (pre-ordered
vegetarian entrée)
Red Velvet Cake

If you or any of your patrons would like the pasta option, let Jane Vartan know ASAP as the final
count must go in the middle next week. Make sure to give her the table # for the requester.

Raffle
As usual, Kevin and his people will be working the raffle. Raffle tickets are $2/ticket, $10/8 tickets,
$20/15 tickets. Have your patrons bring extra money for the raffle. Susan Gerbosi has created
fabulous hats/fascinators for table decorations. They will be available thru the raffle.

Tickets
Tickets are still available for the show. According to Jane Vartan, we are probably 2½ tables short
of a sell-out. Tickets are still available; but as of
May 1, they can no longer be mailed to you. No
tickets will be sold at the show. Send your forms
and checks to Kim Gorski. Jane Vartan will have
a table at the show to distribute any tickets sold
after Monday. So keep selling.

Finally!!!!!
After pushing and pushing, we have over 80
garments in the show. For all of you that are not
participating in the show as models, I hope to see
you in full cheerleader mode – rooting your fellow
members on.

See you on the 7th

HauteCoutureClubChicago.com Page 3

Fashion Finds: The Maker’s Atelier
By Susan Gerbosi
If there is room on your bookcase, you might
consider adding The Maker’s Atelier: Essential
Collection (Paperback; March 2017) by Frances
Tobin.

The Maker’s Atelier includes patterns and

resources (based in the U.K.). Author Frances
Tobin is a independent dressmaker who was
looking for a way to publish her own patterns.

Her designs evoke the roominess of Eileen Fisher

fashions and minimalism of Jil Sander styles. “I
have found I do not like very fitted clothes – they
do not flatter me and I find them too restrictive,”
Tobin writes in her introduction. She like simple,
yet elegant and sparsely adorned looks.
However, simple
and loose fitting
doesn’t mean
skimping on
quality. Her focus
on fine fabrics,
couture details,
subtle trimming
tricks add a level
of luxury to her
patterns. The
Raw Edge Coat,
with it’s pinked
edges, can be a
canvas for using
that expensive
cut of leather you
have held on to
for years or for
dabbing beading
in well-chosen
places.
Visit Tobin’s website – themakersatelier.com –
for more information on her book or to purchase
just her patterns.

Page 4 Haute Couture Club of Chicago, NFP founded 1964

2017-2018 Board Positions Still Available
Volunteers are needed to fill two key board positions for the 2017-2018 membership year:

• Tailored Tales, Newsletter Committee – needs to be filled immediately

• Fashion Show Chair/Co-Chairs – needs to be filled by August 2017

If these positions are not filled, the HCCC will need to suspend the monthly newsletter and risk
not holding its annual fashion show in 2018.

Please contact Cennetta Burwell (nettacansew@yahoo.com or 773-391-0297) if you are interested

in taking one of the open spots.

The HCCC relies on its volunteer board to keep the organization running smoothly as well as to
provide members with educational and engaging sewing programs, workshops, and events. If you
like to talk about sewing or to encourage others to sew, then a board position may be right for you.

Board members meet prior to the regular monthly meetings and may also meet one or two times
in the off-months for the Club. Below are summaries of the open positions. Detailed descriptions
are located in the HCCC Bylaws which are at the back of the Membership Directory.

• Tailored Tales, Newsletter Committee: Responsible for the layout, publication, and
distribution of HCCC newsletter; and encouraging members to submit content or collecting
appropriate content.
• Fashion Show Chair (or Co-Chairs): Responsible for arranging and conducting the fashion
show to promote and showcase work of HCCC members. Fashion Show may create sub-
committees to support the various components of the show (such as: Garment Reviews,
Ticket Sales/Table Management, Advertising, Communication, etc.)

Serving on a non-for-profit board can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Members can:

1. Benefit from the camaraderie of fellow board members.

2. Use the position as a creative outlet.
3. Give back to the organization.

While it is a plus to have experience in a field that relates to the open position, it definitely is not
a requirement. The member who previously held the position will be able to provide background
and training to the upcoming board member.

Happy Birthday Dear HCCC Members!

Sue Heiss 5-May ReAnn Scott 19-May
Sherrill Tittle 7-May Virgillia Radnovich 20-May
Erin Young 9-May Lenore Harris 21-May
Winifred Scott 11-May Terri Lonier 28-May
Lisa Crandall 14-May Kathy Porubyanski 29-May
Tara Fowler 14-May Debbie Reddick-Kennedy 29-May
Kimberly Gorski 17-May Bonnie Girsch 31-May
Sarah Veblen 17-May Sarah Wright 31-May
HauteCoutureClubChicago.com Page 5

Hats On for the 2017 Fashion Show
Centerpiece hats by Susan Gerbosi
We’re pulling out all the stops for the 2017 fashion show “Never in My Wildest Dreams” and that
includes centerpieces. The centerpiece for each table will be a one of a kind hat; each centerpiece
hat will be included as part of the raffle.

The hats will be displayed with all the other raffle items at the start of the day. Then the hats will
be moved into the dining room during the luncheon and runway show. The centerpieces will be
the last times raffled off that day.

All raffle ticket prices, whether for centerpiece hats or other items, are priced at:

• $2.00 for per ticket

• $8.00 for 10 tickets
• $15.00 for 20 tickets

When Sandy Young took on the fashion show her only request for centerpiece designs were, “…
make them wild!” Created solely by donations from Club members, I set out to designing hats
that would fit various ranges of wild. Just wearing a fascinator or hat for the first time would be
considered wild for some, but for others a Steampunk-themed hat may be insanely wild.

To that end, the hats were designed for a variety of tastes. Sandy and I hope you and your guests
are as excited about these as we are. Here are a few photos of what you can look forward to on
May 7.

Lunch at Tiffany. This hat was a take on one of the

hats Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany. It
is a sinamay base embellished with a black and white
chevron ribbon (from Soutache Ribbons), black and
white feathers, and finished with black netting.

Cast a Net A cream colored felt flight attendant base is

perfect for this technique—wrapped netting. The black
netting is strategically secured in place and gathered in
the center top. One large black and three small decorative
buttons hold the netting in place. A single alligator clip at
the center top is used to hold this in place; however the
wearing could add combs if she chose to.

Page 6 Haute Couture Club of Chicago, NFP founded 1964

continued from page 6

Fly Me to the Pink Moon. A retro-looking, flight

attendant felt base called for a twist of 1950’s classic hats.
A tuft of pink feathers decorate the hat and it is trimmed
in pink grosgrain, both from Soutache. Pink netting wraps
around the hat and is connected with a small pink ribbon
flower. The pink netting is from Jo-Ann’s and the small
flower is from Soutache. An alligator clip in the crown and
bobbin pin loops allow for the hat to be safely secured to
the wearer’s head.

CanCan. Purple horsehair millenary crinoline (no longer

made from actual horsehair) is sculpted on a sinamay
base. Purple tulle wrap around black and purple feathers
that are embellished by champagne-colored decorative
beads. An elastic band keeps this fascinator in place; it
is best worn low and to the side. This hat can be work on
either side of the head, but looks best on the left.

Steam-Punked. Steampunk was the inspiration for this

fascinator. A felt mini-top hat serves as the base; the
brim is trimmed in black silk. Steampunk’s combination
of science fiction, fantasy, Victorian dress, and Industrial
Revolution help bring this hat to life. A glittered brown
ribbon peaks through a beaded, chocolate lace trim while
a sheer black fabric is gathered in a bustle formation at the
back. The hat is trimmed in gear part and non-functioning
watch then attached to a black satin headband. The
ribbon and fabric are from Jo-Ann’s. The steampunk
embellishments are from Michael’s.

HauteCoutureClubChicago.com Page 7

HCCC June Banquet
June 3, 2017
This year, our June Banquet will take place at the lovely Fortnightly Club of Chicago. Originally the
private residence of the Lathrop family, the home was completed in 1893, and remained a private
residence until 1922 when it was purchased by The Fortnightly Club. The home was designated
as a Landmark by the city of Chicago in 1973, and was listed on the National Register of Historic
Places in 1974. We are especially excited to have the opportunity to close out our year in such a
lovely and historic environment.

Our speaker for this event will be Pam Vanderlinde. She teaches pattern construction and design
at The School of the Art Institute, and has recently published her new book, Patternmaking for
Jacket and Coat Design. This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear Ms. Vanderlinde talk about
the concepts needed to draft patterns. She will also discuss what lies behind the enduring appeal
of well designed and executed jackets and coats.

The event will begin at 11:30. The cost of the luncheon will be $50.00.

Our meal will consist of a salad, Chicken entree, and a delightful

dessert. Vegetarian meals, and dietary restrictions can be fulfilled,
but must be noted on the registration form.

The Fortnightly Club is located at:

120 East Bellevue Place
Chicago, IL 60611

Parking is available in the condo building just to the west of The

Fortnightly. Parking fee is $17.00.

Guests are welcome.

June Banquet Registration Form

Name:

Address:

Phone: Email:

Guests:

Chicken Entrée Vegetarian Entrée

Dietary Restrictions

Tickets are $50.00 per person

Please return form along with your check to: Kimberly Gorski, 805 N. Lincoln, Park Ridge, IL 60068
All reservations MUST be received by Monday, May 29, 2017.
No cancellations will be accepted after May 29.
Page 8 Haute Couture Club of Chicago, NFP founded 1964
Pamela Vanderlinde
Designer/Author/Teacher
Author of the newly published Pattern Making for Jacket and Coat Design,
Pamela’s design philosophy incorporates beautiful fabrics combined with
old world tailoring to create timeless pieces that can be worn for a lifetime.
She travels the world seeking out ideas for her unique designs. Whether
having wools woven in a Scottish mill based on Sonia Delauney’s textile
designs, hand embroidered pieces inspired by mosaics from Wat Po
in Bangkok or the gardens she encounters in Europe, everything is a
source of inspiration to the designer. Her travels have taken her
to Lesage where she studied embroidery, and Peru where she
studied traditional back-strap weaving.

In 2014, while on sabbatical in Peru, Pamela taught and

developed new products for a women’s cooperative. Using their
beautiful hand-woven textiles she designed and created a yoga
mat bag and an infinity scarf with a hidden pocket for money and
a passport. Items were then sold in their fair-trade store.

Active in the design community in Chicago, Pamela also teaches

at the Illinois Institute of Art and The School of the Art Institute. She
enjoys bringing her knowledge and skills to the next generation
of designers.

Be sure to join Haute Couture at our June Banquet to hear

Pamela’s story. She will also have her new book available for you
to see and purchase.

For the Love of Sewing

Classes with Francine Davis
If you’ve ever had sewing class with honorary club members Sadie Picardo, Avadner McGlory,
or Precious Lashley, you understand the value that such individuals bring to the club. Club
members were able to bring a pattern and fabrics of their choosing to the honorary club member’s
sewing studio and several weeks later have a beautiful custom fit garment constructed under
the honorary club member’s tutelage. Sewing instruction ... Plus Learn to Knit and Crochet with
Francine Davis

Whether in your own home or in Francine’s Studio, Francine will accommodate your sewing
needs any day of the week after 1:00 p.m. except for Sundays or Wednesdays. Francine has
been a member of the Haute Couture Club of Chicago since 2008 and most recently a sewing
instructor at Hancock Fabrics. Francine will teach even the most inexperienced sewers and take
them step-by-step from the sewing pattern, to fabric, to the sewing machine. You can even learn
how to knit and/or crochet with Francine. You may sign up for six 2-hour sewing classes for $130
or a single 2-hour sewing, knitting, or crochet class for $25.

With the fashion show just next month, don’t delay. Call Francine at (312) 209-1676 to learn more
or to schedule a session.
HauteCoutureClubChicago.com Page 9

Young Queen Victoria:What She Wore
Newberry Library Lecture Series
Fashion historians and fans of the PBS
Masterpiece show Victoria, may be interested
in the upcoming Newberry Library (60 W Walton
St, Chicago) lecture series titled “The Young
Queen Victoria: What She Wore” on Tuesdays
from June 6 to June 27.

Led by Debra Mancoff, this series covers the

early years of Victoria’s reign and the impact of
fashion. As she describes, “Long before she put
on widow’s weeds, Queen Victoria played many
roles—novice sovereign, eligible bachelorette, British actress, Jenna Coleman, portraying a young Queen
bride, and young mother—and for each role she Victoria on the Masterpiece show Victoria.
dressed the part. Through art and dress history, this seminar will chart the changes in Queen
Victoria’s public image across the first phase of her reign (1837-1850), the time so vividly portrayed
in ITV Studios series Victoria, to reveal that the famously unfashionable queen knew how to dress
for success.”

Required reading for the series is Julia Baird’s book Victoria: The Queen: An Intimate Biography
of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire. Random House. ISBN: 9781400069880.

HCCC members may remember Debra Mancoff’s presentation at the September 2015 meeting
on the subject of art, fashion, and the designer’s muse. Her conversational style and extensive
knowledge of fashion make lectures and classes entertaining as well as educational. She has
authored several books related to art and fashion, such as Fashion Muse: The Inspiration Behind
Iconic Design; Fashion in Impressionist Paris; and Danger!
Women Artists at Work.

The Newberry offers an early registration price (by May

19) of $160; regular price (after May 19) is $176. (Price
may vary slightly for Newberry members.) To register for
this Newberry seminar visit: https://www.newberry.org/
S17Victoria.

Queen Victoria’s silk dress worn at her first Privy Council meeting (June
1837). This dress is part of the Royal Collection (RCIN #71982). (Photo Painting “The Young Queen Victoria” (1842) by
credit: unknown.) artist Franz Xaver Winterhalter

Page 10 Haute Couture Club of Chicago, NFP founded 1964

Soutache Ribbons Is Moving
New space in late June
After more than 20 years in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood, Soutache Ribbons ( is moving. In
late June, Soutache will relocate to 3862 North Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. “I’m thrilled about the
new location. Soutache has done well in Bucktown, but our new home will be near other sewing
and crafting stores,” said Maili Powell, Soutache owner and HCCC member.

Soutache’s new location is easily accessible by CTA buses (#11 Lincoln, #80 Irving Park) and
the Brown Line (Irving Park and Addison Stops). Some of the other shops, sewing, and crafting
studios in the neighborhood are:

Union Handmade Chicago School of Shoemaking and Leather Arts

3860 N Lincoln Ave 3717 N Ravenswood Ave #113
unionhandmade.com chicagoschoolofshoemaking.com

Oak Fabrics Knit 1 LLC

3738 N Lincoln Ave 3856 N Lincoln Ave.
oakfabrics.com knit1chgo.com

The exact move date is to be determined, but Maili said she expects to be open in late June in her
new location. She recommends members call the shop (773-292-9110) to confirm. Also visit the
Soutache website for additional details: soutacheribbons.com.

2016-2017 Board of Directors

President Rhonda Buss
First Vice-President, Programs Sue Heiss
Second Vice-President, Membership Sara Hochhauser
Treasurer Kimberly Gorski
Secretary Brenda Szendroi
Fashion Show Sandra Young
Nominating Cennetta Burwell
Special Events Linda Belton
Tailored Tales Editor Renée Liepins
Workshops Antoinette Eugene
Web Site & Social Media Susan Gerbosi

HauteCoutureClubChicago.com Page 11

Haute Couture Club of Chicago, NFP
1026 W. Montana Street
Chicago IL 60614
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