Hand-sewing creates a beautiful finish. In this class we will practice hand-stitched gathers that are used in cuffs and waistbands, and how to set in a lining. Drawing from her foundation in studying and constructing historical hand-sewn clothes, our instructor Sarah will teach you these techniques based on 18th and 19th-century examples she has studied. In this class you will make sample pieces to learn how to:

• Gather fabric by hand using a stroke gathering technique
• Attach a sample “cuff/waistband” to gathered fabric
• Put a lining into a 1/2 “bodice” sample

Date:
Saturday, February 18th, 2023

Time:
12pm-2:30pm ET

Location:
Zoom, a link will be sent to participants
the day before class.

Cost:
$45

This class is part of the Beginner Hand Sewing Series. You can sign up for the four part series on the checkout page by clicking the Sign Up link below.

**This class will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all registrants following the live session.

CLASS MATERIALS

• Textiles: light to medium weight, plain woven linen or cotton. 1 piece for sample “sleeve/skirt”: 6 inch long x 18 inch wide (15 cm x 45 cm); 1 piece for sample “cuff/waistband”: 6.5 inch long x 6.5 inch wide (16 cm x 16 cm); 2 pieces for sample bodice: 8 inch long x 12 inch wide (20 cm x 37.5 cm)
• Needles: I recommend size 8-9 sharps, appliqué or quilters needles. 
• Thread, if using linen suggested:  80/3 or 80/2 and remember beeswax; if using cotton suggested: 30 or 40 weight “Hand Quilters Cotton” 
• Pencil or fabric marker
• Seam gauge
• 8”-10” dressmaker’s scissors
• Sharp, small thread scissors
• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Thimble (optional but encouraged)

OUR TEACHER
Sarah Woodyard

Sarah Woodyard is inspired by the labor of historical dressmakers. She spent seven years apprenticing at the Margaret Hunter Millinery Shop in Colonial Williamsburg to learn eighteenth-century mantua-making (dressmaking) and millinery (accessories). After completing her apprenticeship she became a Journeywoman mantua-maker and milliner. Sarah holds her M.A. in Material Culture from the University of Alberta. After ten years of sewing and interpreting at the Margaret Hunter Shop it was time to take this knowledge into the twenty-first century. She opened Sewn Company in 2019. Sewn Company arises from a legacy of hand-stitchers past and present. Through Sewn she teaches historical hand-sewing to historical sewists and modern makers. She is currently taking commissions for hand-sewn items both historical and modern. She is passionate about preserving the skills and stories of hand sewing, through research, design and education. www.sewncompany.com