The word “couture” has buried within it the root words for “suture” (or “thread”) and “com” (or “with,” “together”). I have been fascinated by this art form from afar for decades. For the first time, I am exploring it in an up close and personal way.

I tailor-make texts all the time. I design one-of-a-kind quilts for myself and for the people I love, and knit socks to fit unique feet. With garments, however, I have lived off-the-rack–department store, boutique, occasional consignment chic, but mostly catalog fare leavened by accessories.

Last autumn, pondering what to wear in my solo appearance as a mother of the bride next month, I decided I wanted to explore out of the box options. I was so very fortunate to learn of MHD Couture in Saint Paul, and my second fitting is today. Maggie Dayton, the couturière, is a true artist and an adept listener (to the said and unsaid). She is helping me (well, doing all the work!) fashion an outfit of separates (skirt, blouse, jacket) that will rise to the occasion of a wedding but can be worn in different ways afterward. The goal is an ensemble that fits not only my particular form at this stage of my life but, just as important, express my own quirky sense of style. I can report from the muslin fitting that is it an incredible pleasure to experience molding something “almost” into something exactly right in terms of fit. A perfect body? Never was or will be my experience. But a perfect fit–that is achievable.

Below are a few places you can, if you like, learn a little more, as I have about the technology and techniques. Muslin Fittings are used in couture, while Mock-ups are used by all kinds of designers mainly to acquire feedback from users. Mock-ups address the idea captured in a popular engineering one-liner: “You can fix it now on the drafting board with an eraser or you can fix it later on the construction site with a sledge hammer.” Love that! The couture version is a cloth-centric translation of the carpenter’s adage: “Measure twice, cut once,” where the cutting is twice but only once with the expensive shantung silk from Ginny’s Fine Fabrics in Rochester, Minnesota.

In a loosely related aside, I am thrilled to know that Meryl Streep and Co. are releasing a sequel to one of my very favorite movies. This May 1, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” will open in theaters all over. I already have plans with a fellow arm-chair fashionista and Vogue reader to rewatch the classic 1995 send-up, “The Devil Wears Prada,” and after, come hell, high water, or even high heels, to see the new release on the big screen!