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18th Century Woman's Caps - A Sewing and Fashion History Workshop

Completed by 1 learner
Ages 13-18
Live Group Course
In this three week class students will learn to sew a mid-to-late 18th century woman's cap from start to finish!
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(153 reviews)
Star Educator

Live video meetings
1x per week, 3 weeks
2-10 learners per class
50 min

What's included

3 live meetings
2 hrs 30 mins in-class hours
Homework
2-4 hours per week. Between classes, students will be expected to continue working on their garments at home... How much time this will require depends on the speed of each students sewing, but everyone should expect to put in 4+ hours of additional sewing between the classes to finish the garment.
Assessment
I will happily write letters to confirm the successful completion of the course for participant's portfolios.

Class Experience

This class is a breakout from my complete course "18th Century Working Women's Dress Sew-Along Workshop" 

It is designed for students who want to start small and try their hand at making just one basic piece.

The cap is quite an essential part of the wardrobe... Consisting of straight and curved lines & seams, and several different stitches (basting stitch, running/gathering stitch, back stitch, and hem stitch) this is a perfect class for a first time hand sewer who wants to work on a serious project! If your student dreams of making reproduction garments, but doesn't have any experience this class is a great place to start. 

Week 1 - We will assemble our patterns, cut out the pieces from fabric, and begin sewing.
(solo sewing homework between classes)
Week 2 - We will work on sewing the caps together.
(solo sewing homework between classes)
Week 3 - We will finish the cap, and students will show off their work!


********

When we think of historic 18th century costuming, it is easy to immediately find ourselves drawn to the beautiful formal garments worn by the upper class Europeans and wealthy colonial settlers, and those made for very special occasions...

But what about the real life, every day "jeans and a t-shirt" wardrobes of women working in and out of their homes? How did they dress for comfort and practicality? What did women wear while gardening, working in skilled trade shops (like tin, silver, and blacksmiths, etc.)? How did enslaved women dress? How did being colonized from afar influence dress in America, as well as other colonized lands? 

Let's look together at these hardworking women who are rarely shown with much detail in old paintings or most modern depictions of early American life, and appreciate the often overlooked contributions they made in history. 

In this class students will learn a brief history of common women's garments and their construction as they craft their way through creating a historically accurate cap from the late 1700s. 

The class will be casual, conversational, and very hands on - with room for lots of discussion and sharing. 

Students will join me in creating a cap for a working class woman. The style will be predominately Euro-American, but students will be given encouragement to draw from a variety of sources to create a garment unique to their own regional influences, if so desired. 

I'll walk students through the process, step by step, and in the end they will have created an amazing hand sewn piece AND mastered some important historical garment making skills.
 
We will hand sew the caps, starting each step in class and finishing the steps as homework. 

Students do not *need* to have any prior sewing knowledge or skills (just some fine motor control with a needle & thread and the ability to use scissors.)

The project will not require use of a sewing machine, and students are encouraged not to "cheat" and use one to make their project go faster. 

This class is listed as an "Arts" course, but it will obviously feature history and social studies in our discussion topics!

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Students will be hand sewing, using sharp scissors, needles and pins, and hot irons.
Supply List
Students will be provided with an original PDF pattern they will need to print for the first class, where we will assemble them.

Students will also need to purchase fabric and notions -

Cap: 1 yard white fabric (Fabric Notes: Unless otherwise noted, for a historically accurate cap this should be 100% linen or cotton, in a light to medium weight. Linen/cotton blends are also acceptable. Please feel free to contact me for additional advise regarding sources or if you have any questions.)


Additional Notions: 
White Thread
1" Wide Ribbon in a solid color of the student's choice (sateen or grosgrain)

Students should also have:
Fabric Scissors
Thread Snips or Embroidery Scissors (optional)
Hand Sewing Needles in assorted sizes
Straight Pins (and pincushion/magnet)
Thimble (metal or leather are most authentic, but whatever is most comfortable for the student)
Flexible Tape Measure, Ruler, and/or Yardstick
Pencil
Iron & Ironing board

PLEASE NOTE: I understand that truly authentic fabric can be VERY cost prohibitive - especially for a first project! It is never my intention to make historic sewing beyond anyone's grasp by demanding exorbitantly expensive supplies. Historically accurate fabric is *wonderful* to work with, and I'm always going to encourage it if possible... but please know that there are truly amazing pieces that have been made from thrifted white cotton bed sheets, old curtains, and discount fabric! Choose what works for YOU and your budget, makes you happy, and feels nice against your skin. Remember that natural fibers are always cooler in hot weather, and often hold up better to washing. I aim to help students create a historically accurate outfit... and quality fabric helps the finished product look and feel the best it can... but what is more important is that they are learning the skills to construct them and they offer their best efforts. :)
 1 file available upon enrollment
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Joined November, 2020
4.9
153reviews
Star Educator
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Fine/Studio Arts from Prescott College
I've been sewing historic garment reproductions for over 30 years. I've worked in several living history museums, for over more than 18 years, creating my all my own professional costuming for various time periods in history... as well as researching and writing staff costuming standards guides for two museums and drafting patterns from photographs and historic garments in the collection. My extended family lives near Colonial Williamsburg, where I have visited many times, taking part in several workshops related to historic textile arts. I currently consult and demonstrate as a domestic and textile historian for Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center. 

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