Workshops & Demos

** Interested in booking a workshop or special program for 2025? Please email us to discuss! atthesignofthegoldenscissors@gmail.com **

Saturday January 25th, 2025 (snow date Sunday the 26th) - Beginner's Sewing Class, Making an 18th Century Apron. Workshop Location Springfield Art & Historical Society 65 Route 106, North Springfield, Vermont 05150. In this class we will review and practice some of the most common hand stitches used for creating historical clothing. Each student will then practice their skills by sewing an apron. Click here to register.

February 9th - Minute Man National Historical Park Hive Symposium. Come see our display on 18th century ladies caps and bonnets.

April 4^th – 6^th - Century English Stomacher Front Gown Workshop. Workshop Location – Saratoga County History Center. Ballston Spa, NY. Click here to register.

April 4th - "Well Dressed: Gowns of the 1770s" Public program at the Saratoga County History Center. Ballston Spa, NY. 7:00pm Program is free and open to the public but pre-registration is encourage. Please visit BrooksideMuseum.org/events to sign up for the public program.

May 3rd - 4th - "Wooly Wonders", Historic Deerfield. Deerfield, MA. Come see our 18th century crewel embroidery demonstration and display during the museum's annual event dedicated to historical sheep breeds, spinning and more.

June 27th - 29th - 18th Century English Stomacher Front Gown Workshop. Workshop Location - Fort at No 4. Charlestown, NH. Registration details coming soon!

September 6th - Women in Trades. Fort at No 4. Charlestown, NH. Additional details coming soon!

September 12th - 14th - Century English Stomacher Front Gown Workshop. Location - Col. Paul Wentworth House. Dover, NH. Registration details coming soon!

"Gown in a Day" - Special Program - Location/Details TBA

About Our Workshops

18th Century English Stomacher Front Gown

In this workshop you will learn to construct an English stomacher front gown in the period manner using our Larkin & Smith English Gown Pattern. The en fourreau back is one of the most popular styles of gown during the 18th century and can easy suit a variety of impressions depending on choice of fabric and trim. At the end of the workshop each individual will have a personalized pattern for re use and their gown well under construction. Homework is required. Pre approval of fabric is necessary. Period correct stays and shift are required.

Advance Beginner to Intermediate Level - Students should be familiar with basic hand sewing skills and have some knowledge of 18th century clothing and experience in creating a basic article of 18th century clothing. Knowledge of using a commercial pattern and/or making a fitted garment will be handy.

$295 per person. (An additional fee may apply if bringing a helper or if making the gown for someone else and they are attending the workshop for fittings.)

A minimum of 4 is required for a gown workshop (6-8 people max depending on location space.) This is a 2 1/2 days workshop.

18th Century Accessories - Caps, Hats, Bonnets, Aprons,

Each accessory workshop is a half to full day workshop with a fee per person, plus a material fee. (Material fees will vary depending on the materials needed for each accessory.) Workshops can be combined to make a one day or full weekend program.

Additional Workshops and Living History Programs by Request

Although there is no physical space at the Golden Scissors home studio to host classes, there are a few spaces nearby. Emily is happy to travel to teach classes at a host site. Travel & Room Costs must be covered and a fee per-attendant is required. (Fees vary depending on the workshop.)

Looking for a special program/demonstration for your museum or living history site? "Gown in a Day", "Women's Trades", 18th century material culture, etc. Let us tailor something to your needs. Fees vary depending on the program. Travel costs and accommodations may apply. Please contact us to discuss possibilities. atthesignofthegoldenscissors@gmail.com

Cancellation Policy

Due to the nature and limited enrollment of our workshops, we regret that we are unable to offer a full refund for a cancellation. If you cancel 15 or more days prior to the workshop, we will refund your fee less a $35 cancellation fee. If you cancel less than 15 days prior to the workshop, we will have to charge the full amount of the workshop unless we are able to fill your slot, (based on a waiting list) in that event you will be charged only the $35 cancellation fee. In the event of inclement, weather based on our local weather reports, we reserve the right to reschedule the workshop to a later date. Students will be notified via email of any changes ASAP.

In the event of cancellations we are not responsible for any costs by the attendee for cancelled reservations or other travel costs.

**Please note, our workshops are the only official workshops using the Larkin & Smith line of 18th century sewing patterns. At this time we have not licensed any maker or instructor to teach using our materials. If this changes, we will post a list of approved instructors.**

"Gown in a Day" Historic Trades Demonstration, Historic Deerfield. 2024

English Gown workshop, Fort at No 4., Aug. 2023.