Sew your own Colonial Costume for America's 250th - three sessions

To participate in this series, you will need to register for the first event. After registering for the first event, you'll automatically be registered for all three events.

In preparation for America's 250th Anniversary, participants will sew their own Colonial everyday costume; Skirt, Short Gown and Shift.

Participants will register for three sessions. Aug 8th, 15th and 22nd.

Participants will be instructed on purchasing the appropriate fabric and materials. 

We will talk about several typical clothing pieces worn by every-day women in the Revolutionary War time - petticoat, short gown, handkerchief (also called a modesty piece), shift, cap, aprons and pockets -- and then make one or more of them. Contact information for reputable reproduction clothiers/companies will be given. Gowns and stays can be complicated - we won't be tacking those in these sessions.

We will start with a petticoat and pockets; then a shift, and then, depending on progress & interest, plan & start a short gown.

Sewing machines will be provided for 10 sewists from the Brookfield Library. Sewists may bring their own machines (cleaned, oiled and functional) with their own bobbin and a new needle already installed.

Each sewist should bring appropriate fabric, matching thread (good quality cotton, no polyester, no old Coats & Clarks), hand sewing needles, fabric scissors, straight pins, pin cushion, long measuring tape, small ruler, and seam ripper. If you're coming with a friend, you can share some of these, but we will not be providing extras for you to use.

There will be no ruffles, lace, tatting, zippers, velcro, or rick-rack.

Petticoat- 

- women usually wore 2 at a time; in winter, petticoats would have been quilted or made of wool

- fabric should be linen, linen/wool combo, or 100% cotton

- it is strongly suggested to wash linen & cotton fabric in hot water and run it through a hot dryer before cutting it out in order to prevent later shrinkage

- colors: brick red (not scarlet red), green, yellow, blue, bluish violet, brown

- length of fabric - 4 times the circumference of the wearer's waist

- finished petticoat will have a 1/2" hem and finish about 2" above the ankle

Pocket

- worn under the top petticoat; either one or one on each hip 

- each pocket will need two squares of plain linen or cotton fabric, 8" - 12" wide by 12" x 18" long; plus either ribbon or tape long enough to wrap around the wearer's waist or fabric sufficient to make long narrow strips to wrap around the waist

Shift

- worn next to the skin

- fabric should be plain, medium weight white linen or cotton, or unbleached linen

- again, it is strongly suggested to wash the fabric in hot water and run it through a hot dryer before cutting it out in order to prevent later shrinkage

- plan your fabric to have these pieces

    main body - 100" x 30" 

    2 sleeves - each 15" x 15"       

    2 gussets - each 6" x 6"

    extra if you wish to have run ties through the neckline (optional)

Handkerchief

- worn at the neck; part of every day clothing

- fabric should be linen, cotton, light-weight wool (for winter)

- a 35" - 40" square, with very narrow rolled hem

- most commonly white, sometimes colored or checked

Sewing machines will be provided, you may bring your own as well.