M J Ernst Couturier

07/13/2023

GLADIATOR: I Owe You Nothing is dedicated to Nicole Skokna, Irene Kate and Autumn Erin. This idea started years ago originally as a figurative oil painting but my skills are not where I want them to be , while cleaning my sewing area , I found my mom's giant quilting hoop . I got this crazy idea to embroider the art piece , an insane idea - the hoop is 18x28"!! I dont know how many stitches I did, this is months of work , mostly single strand embroidery . My dear friend Carrie Filetti - a master stitcher advised along the way and my daughter's and niece cheered me on . The mini red boxing gloves are my feminist version of the ridiculous nutsacks hanging from truck's trailer hitches, Touche'. The quotes are s**t men say to women , and to the men out there reading this , we are tired of hearing it . To the women , I see you , I support you , you owe men nothing .

I have submitted it for consideration into the 92nd Contemporary show at the Muskegon Museum of Art - a treasure in our area . It already is winner to me - an idea has taken form and that is what art is all about! My art piece is not for sale .

01/24/2023

Grab a tshirt to show your support to Stop Industrial Solar - National Grid's petition to cover tiny White River township with 770,000 panels , 1700 acres , if this passes it will be the largest solar power plant in Michigan .
Community solar is a much better fit , help us say no to National Grid
LAKE MICHIGAN BLUE

06/21/2022

A quick video on the basics of constructing a bustier bodice that has great to support from hidden boning channels.

03/19/2022

A major update to my business:

In November I moved to West Michigan to help with family issues .
I have a few clients that I am continueing on with but for the most part I am semi retired.

I am eternally grateful for the clients, families and friends i worked with since I opened my doors in 1993 . Through thick and thin my loyal clients were there , for that I am blessed.

I am teaching art classes at a local art center / gallery and delving into Historic costuming for fun and also a challenge .

Feel free to private message me at anytime
All the best !
MJ

03/19/2022

06/29/2021

https://www.ranker.com/list/king-tut-garments-recreation/shonna-wright?fbclid=IwAR2-r77s9628Uyb_AJJDGqI9OH94N0kzgoqIxE8A0Oo2udE5B_kFBzy2FWc

Most people have seen King Tut's singularly awesome golden chariot, but they probably haven't seen the 145 loincloths, 12 tunics, 10 belts, two leopard skins, 28 gloves, 24 shawls, 15 sashes, 25 head coverings, two aprons, four socks, and 47 pairs of shoes he was buried with. In the early '90s,...

05/19/2021

I have started my first Historical outfit for myself . I am dating it late 1880’s , and calling my design Victorian Plein Air . Something that I imagine Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt would have worn . This is what I need to make for one outfit;

Chemise, drawers , corset , corset cover, ruffle petticoat ( i am
Hoping one will be enough) walking skirt , blouse , midsection wide belt and a vest that buttons in place to the waist belt Finished with a straw boater hat , stockings and shoes. With a large leather satchel to carry my supplies becAuse I plan to actually wear it to sketch and paint en plein air . Someone in my Victorian sewing facebook group suggested an apron - which is proably smart

I havent worked out all of the final fabrics but I got lucky today and found a gorgeous imported thin cotton batiste at The Leonard Adler & Co., Inc while buying thread and zippers . I washed it and cut my chemise and drawers These will have to wait as I have client items to get done .

Here is my design

04/09/2021

Repurposing a silk satin brocade in a stunning chartreuse green ,,to a Victorian style corset .

I left the frogs down the center front , now to find the right binding fabric because I used almost every inch of the jacket

04/09/2021

My favorite type of project : working with heirloom dresses . This is a great story

When it came to finding "something old" to wear to her wedding, Pennsylvania native Abigail Kingston didn't have to look beyond her family tree. The

03/23/2021

A sketch friend sent this link to me , it is very interesting and inspiring !

https://youtu.be/WpWuDP0FXIQ

When it comes to the fashion industry you'd probably think of places like Milan, Paris or New York, and not the Faroe Islands between Scotland and Norway. Bu...