Learn to create beautiful custom clothing, using generations-old techniques to create the designs of your dreams…

The Maryland Academy of Couture Arts, founded and directed by European Fine Couture trained fashion designer Ella Pritsker (Ella Moda Label), is offering an intense 14-week program in the couture arts. This is a unique opportunity to learn couture secrets that, in the past, were handed down from generation to generation. These are techniques and processes that were carefully guarded by the top fashion houses, now yours to learn!

A 14-Week program that teaches the Secrets of Master Designers including:

• Learning to create your own unique style
• Discovering how to fit perfectly
• Creating a perfect pattern
• Sewing like the old-world European designers
• Group study and one on one with Ella
• Creating a 3 – 5 piece wardrobe
• Open studio time before & after each class
• Annual Fashion Show at the end of the program

Express your passion. Perfect Your Fashion Design & Couture Skills.

Ella, who has a passion for training those with a life-long love of fashion and design, wants students to discover a love for the art of custom couture.

Ella teaches these skills and offers guidance to individuals interested in opening their own design businesses, assist other designers and tailors, or just enjoy the fine art of couture.

All levels of students are eligible for the program, but basic sewing skills are needed. “Beginner Couturier” class is advised before entering this intensive course.

In This Class Students Will Learn…

• Taking proper measurements
• The fundamentals of pattern making and design
• How to produce patterns from slopers (blocks)
• Fine couture finishing and ready-to-wear techniques and embellishments for optimal clothing construction.

Throughout the course students will produce a 3-5 piece line of original clothing to present at our Annual Fashion Show. Assistance with finalizing and styling of the looks for the runway.

Download complete course description. (PDF format)

This intensive course consists of 26 classes. Small class sizes of up to 6 students and opportunities for private instruction time on a regular basis assures individual attention and full benefit from instruction.

(Additional studio work time will be made available & encouraged.)

Module 1	Module 2	Module 3
Skirt and pants 7 classes	Bodice, Torso, Sleeve 8 classes	Dresses, Blouses 6 classes

Additional classes will be used for studio work time and Fashion Show preparation.

Here is what some of our past students have said:

As a student at the Maryland Academy of Couture Arts, I have learned to create couture quality clothing that fits me through individualized instruction in pattern making and couture sewing techniques taught by Ella Pritsker.

She is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic instructor who is personally committed to each student’s success

~ Rosemary E., Towson, MD

Something stirs inside of me with sewing…this has always been true for me. I’ve put it on the back burner for so long and interestingly just months before I heard about this class I had found my way back to the sewing machine and was really feeling like “this is it”…”this is what I need to be doing”.  I see this as just the beginning. I have so much to learn and just want to soak up every aspect of creating beautiful clothing.  I’ve never thought of myself as a very creative person although I was pretty good with a sewing machine.  I now have a license to be creative and I can’t tell you what a gift that is to me.

This academy is a very positive addition to our community and I will spread the word and do anything I can to continue its success. As you always say so genuinely, I’ll say to you…”Good job!”.~ Kathy S, Lutherville, MD

I place more value than I have ever thought I would on the sloper and I have a fond appreciation for exact measurements.  It has taken me some to understand the relationship between those two things and the finished garment, but the more I practice, the more it all comes together.

I never knew anything about pegging, a mock Hong Kong finish, or balancing darts until learning it in class and I really love being able to incorporate all these elements that make the quality of the finished garment stand out.  ~Tori, B Baltimore, MD