29/03/2016
This course is designed to help you build your skills and will equip you with the knowledge of how to make your own costume for the festival. It is designed for those with beginner to intermediate sewing skills, and will demonstrate “rectangular construction” as well as how to draft patterns for YOUR body. If you attend every session, you will have the understanding needed to sew an entire ensemble – something that would take thousands of dollars to purchase. (Full disclosure, sewing your own ensemble may be costly as well, depending on the fabrics you choose! – Ensembles (excluding footwear) can run anywhere between $100 - $500 plus the time it takes to complete them.) Suggestions will be made in order to save money and time, while still producing a more comfortable, authentic, and customizable product than what comes out of a costume store.
This is neither a course for the historically accurate purist (for example, sewing machine use will be encouraged), nor the theatrical costumer (as all pieces are separate rather than a single garment) but it will result in clothing that is easy to care for and would fit in at any renaissance event. Focus will be on historically inspired clothing, rather than fantasy clothing – but the skills and knowledge you gain can easily be applied towards the costume of your dreams. Discussions will encompass a range of topics, including researching ideas from portraits and looking at what is offered by pattern companies.
Sessions are $20 each as an introductory rate, and participants are responsible to purchase their own supplies and complete projects on their own sewing machine at home. In order to cover rental costs, minimum enrollment will be 10 students, with maximum of 20.
Each class will be structured to cover a mixture of theory and practical, but the majority of sewing will take place outside of class. The instructor will aim to equip you with everything you need to proceed, and a page is set up for troubleshooting questions and answers. Class time will focus on drafting patterns or choosing fabrics, cutting out pieces and pinning, rather than actually sewing the garment.
This course is being offered by Sharlene Wegg, who has 15 years of experience building historically inspired clothing. A professional trainer, her patience and willingness to share knowledge is highly acclaimed. Among other roles, Sharlene portrays Queen Elizabeth I at the Oxford Renaissance Festival.
