In this class students will learn a history of medieval dress and its construction as they craft their way through creating a shift and kirtle - the most common garments of medieval folk of all classes from around 1300 to 1500. We'll talk about fabric choices and other design options, and the social class they signify for the wearer. We'll discuss modifications that can be chosen for various time periods when the kirtle was worn. 

PLEASE NOTE: This class is for everyone!! Historically, women AND men alike wore some version of the kirtle, though they styled them differently... We'll talk about the differences in the first class, and students may choose to sew an outfit that best represents the medieval persona they would prefer to have their clothing depict. Those choosing a more masculine outfit will be given additional information for making appropriate breeches or "braies" in their own time, apart from the class. 

I'll walk students through the process, step by step, and in the end they will have created two amazing garments AND mastered some important historical garment making skills.

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

We will hand sew all of both garments, 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, a little math (measuring, addition/subtraction/multiplication, geometric shapes), and students should be prepared to stick with it and work hard on each weeks homework if they want to complete all the projects along with the rest of the class. 

Students will not need a sewing machine, and they are encouraged not to "cheat" and use one to make their projects go faster. 

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The class will follow the a basic schedule of progress through the project, but this will be altered as needed based on the skills and speed of participants:


Week One - Introduction, planning out your project, how to make your pattern.
(Homework: making your pattern on paper)

Week Two - Checking patterns, cutting out shifts, beginning stitches and sewing
(Homework: sewing shift sleeves & gussets)

Week Three - Sewing shift side gussets and side seams
(Homework: Felling seams)

Week Four - Hemming & finishing neck, cuffs, and hem
(Homework: Hemming & finishing neck, cuffs, and hem)

Week Five - Cutting kirtle, how to piece and sew your kirtle
(Homework: sewing kirtle sleeves & gussets, inserting sleeves in body)

Week Six - Fitting kirtle body, inserting skirt gussets 
(Homework: sewing gussets and side seams, finishing hem)

Week Seven -  Felling Seams
(Homework: Felling seams)

Week Eight - Hemming & finishing neck and cuffs, show off your completed outfit!

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