Regency Dressmaking Workshop (1:1 Tutoring)
In this class, students will learn to hand-sew an authentic Regency-era everyday gown, with inspiration from period art and the life and literary works of Jane Austen in a one-on-one tutoring session.
Heather Linke
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(133)
What's included
Meets on Demand
schedule meetings as needed50 mins
per sessionTeacher support
Projects
2-4 hours per week. Each week the student will be expected to continue working on their garments at home... How much time this will require depends on the speed of each student. sewing.Grading
includedClass Experience
This is an option to complete my group class "Regency Era Dressmaking - A Jane Austen Sewing & Fashion History Workshop" in a one-on-one tutoring format. Most students are able to complete the project in 10 sessions... But with just one learner, we can work as fast or slow as needed! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Join me as we travel back in time to the early 1800s - the setting for life and works of Jane Austen - and work to create a front-closing everyday gown, something commonly worn by women of the period. We will take a look at the many variations of dress, and discuss cultural, financial, and geographical influences on the dress of women of the period. The class will be casual, conversational, and very hands-on - with room for lots of discussion and sharing. I'll walk you through the process, step by step, and in the end, you will have created an amazing outfit AND mastered some important historical garment-making skills. Students will learn to take their own measurements, choose appropriate fabrics, cut out their patterns, and sew them together using an assortment of fine hand-sewing techniques. We will hand sew all the pieces, starting each step in class and finishing the steps as homework each week. 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) but this will be a class with LOTS of hand sewing, and students should be prepared to stick with it and work hard on each week's homework if they want to complete all the projects with the rest of the class. The project will not need a sewing machine, and students are encouraged not to "cheat" and use one to make things go faster! This class is listed as an "Arts" course, but it can include a great deal of history and social studies in our discussion topics, depending on student interests! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - My suggested schedule: Week 1 Introduction - Fabric Selection & Preparation Week 2 Reading & Cutting Your Pattern Week 3 Pinning & Sewing The Skirt Pieces Week4 Pinning & Sewing The Bodice & Lining Pieces Week 5 Assembling The Bodice & Lining Week 6 Sewing & Inserting The Sleeves Week 7 More Bodice Sewing Week 8 Pleating The Skirt & Attaching To The Bodice Week 9 Finishing The Bodice & Inserting The Drawstring Week 10 Hemming The Sleeves & Skirt * You are welcome to shifted this schedule if students need more time to complete their sewing. We can meet every week, or alternating weeks for more sewing time between sessions. Learning to hand sew entire garments, and making the time each week to work through all these pieces will be a challenge and I'll do my best to help keep students on track, but I’m happy to schedule additional sessions for those who want to work at an even slower pace... and if we finish early you don't have to keep all sessions scheduled!
Learning Goals
In this class, students will learn to hand-sew an authentic Regency-era everyday gown, with inspiration from period art and the life and literary works of Jane Austen.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Please note that learners will need to utilize sharp items like scissors, pins, and sewing needles as a part of this class.
Supply List
Students will need to purchase a pattern, fabric, and notions - PATTERN: https://blacksnailpatterns.com/listing/684205627/empire-regency-dress-with-front-clousure I am in no way affiliated with this pattern maker. It has been chosen as a good combination of historical accuracy and ease of construction. This is a PDF pattern, and students should purchase, print, and assemble the pattern for the DRESS (we will not be making the apron or cap in class) before our first class if at all possible! Students will be given the option of creating a long, 3/4, or short sleeve. FABRIC: Gown Fabric - 5.5-6 yards (mid-weight cotton or linen in white or a color of your choice -or- lightweight wool gabardine in a darker color) Gown Lining Fabric - 1.5-2 yards (white, unbleached muslin, or a solid to compliment) Fabric Notes: For everyday dress for the majority of the year, the fabric should be 100% cotton or linen, in a medium weight (not see-through). Linen/cotton blends are also acceptable. Lighter weights of fabric and pastels or white were popular for spring and summer, especially amongst those who lead a more leisurely lifestyle. Small, darker repeating prints were popular for working women's dress, as they hid dirt better. There is excellent information to help you choose a fabric here: https://www.songsmyth.com/fabric.html and here: https://ateliernostalgia.wordpress.com/2016/05/23/historical-accuracy-regency/ I'm also always happy to respond to questions to help you choose! Students may choose to make a more practical working woman's everyday gown in a darker print or more of a special day gown in white or a lighter print. If a student would like to make a cold-weather gown, a lightweight wool gabardine suiting is appropriate for both the gown and petticoat. ADDITIONAL NOTIONS: White Thread (or contrasting if the gown will be white!) Thread to match any other fabric 3/4" Twill Tape - Enough to tie around your ribcage with a loose bow 1/4" Twill Tape - 2 yards PLUS enough additional tape to tie around your ribcage with a loose bow *** Please note that all yardage is approximate and has been rounded up... actual amounts may vary based on individual measurements. STUDENTS SHOULD ALSO HAVE: Fabric Scissors Thread Snips or Embroidery Scissors 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 Pencil 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. :)
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined November, 2020
4.9
133reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I've been sewing historic garment reproductions since I was about 8 years old. I've worked professionally in several living history museums, for more than 18 years, creating all my professional costuming for various 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. I currently consult as a domestic and textile historian for Great Smokey Mountain Heritage Center. Reviews
Live 1-on-1 Lessons
$60
per sessionMeets on demand
50 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-18
