Join us for a walking dress course covering custom pattern adjustments and fitting to construction and sewing tricks.
This is a two-weekend-long workshop, which will include a light tea each day and is limited to 5 participants. The cost for this workshop is $350. If you are a DVSS member, message us for a coupon code for a discount on your registration. We cannot refund workshop registrations, but you are welcome to transfer your registration if you cannot attend.
We will be using historical Victorian patterns and modern-created Victorian patterns and will have the patterns available for tracing. We will focus on the construction of each garment, fitting, and correct wearing of each item. Our classes will not be long enough to add trimmings to your gown but you will feel confident adding them on your own.
These gowns are meant to be worn over support garments constructed to support the skirts and bodice. If you have a corset you plan to wear under this dress, it is recommended to bring it to class for measurements and fittings.
Students that might not be confident sewers: If you can sew a straight seam, sew a curved seam keeping the seam allowance even, and are familiar with troubleshooting your sewing machine, you will do wonderfully. If this doesn’t sound like you yet, consider taking our machine basics class in November at Arapahoe Community College which will prepare you for this class.
Materials and Items you will need to bring with you:
Your sewing Machine
Measuring tape
Thread, needles (for your machine and hand sewing)
Scissors for fabric and scissors for paper
Fabric marker or pencil for marking on fabric
Pencil for pattern tracing
Ruler
Pins or clips to hold parts together
Pattern tracing paper (I recommend Swedish tracing paper or Pellon 830 easy pattern tracing paper)
Fabric* for dress and mock-ups (and trim if you plan on trimming with fabric)
Notions such as buttons, boning, and dress hook and eyes
Corset for fittings if you wear one (and we hope that you do!)
*Depending on your size and the width of the fabric, you can expect to need 7 to 10 yards of fashion fabric. Bodices are commonly lined and even when they are not, you will still want a fabric to flat line to. Plan on 3 to 4 yards for lining (soft strong quilting cotton works splendidly) and bring some stash fabric you detest (I use old sheets from thrift stores) for your mock-up muslin.
Lara Beckwith has been a professional seamstress and tailor for the better part of 20 years. She comes from a long line of professional seamstresses and quilters and has been sewing her entire life. She started making historical clothing at the age of 3 by sewing her own moccasins. She frequently presents on historical textiles and patterning at Whimsy Con and has been honored with many first prize places for her gowns and tailoring creations.
She is a librarian in her day to day life and enjoys finding resources and teaching people how to research.