Workshops & Demos

PLEASE CHECK BACK AS WE CONTINUE TO UPDATE OUR WORKSHOP DATES FOR 2024.

January 27th and 28th (snow date for February 3rd and 4th) - 18th Century English Stomacher Front Gown Workshop. Workshop Location Springfield Art & Historical Society 65 Route 106, North Springfield, Vermont 05150. The SAHS is location next to Cota & Cota. To register, please click here.

February 24th and 25th (snow date for March 2nd and 3rd). 18th Century English Stomacher Front Gown Workshop. Workshop Location Springfield Art & Historical Society 65 Route 106, North Springfield, Vermont 05150. The SAHS is location next to Cota & Cota. To register, please click here.

April 27th and 28th - Clothing Workshop for Women and Girls. Saratoga National Historical Park. 9:00am - 4:30pm both days. Workshop is free but registration required.

July 13th and 14th - 18th Century Caps & Bonnets. Fort at No 4. Charlestown, NH. 9:30am - 3:30pm both days. To register, please click here.

July 27th - "Gown in a Day" special program, Fort at No 4. Charlestown, NH. Come and learn about 18th century sewing techniques and watch as a mid century gown is constructed. Program included with admission to the Fort at No. 4

September 27th, 28th and 29th - 18th Century English Stomacher Front Gown Workshop, Workshop Location Col. Paul Wentworth House, Rollinsford, NH. To register, please click here.

November 9th and 10th - "Gown in a Day" special program, Historic Deerfield, Deerfield, Mass. Come and learn about 18th century sewing techniques and watch as a mid century gown is constructed. Program included with admission to Historic Deerfield.

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

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 Larking and 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 75-90% finished. Homework is required. Pre approval of fabric is necessary. Period correct stays and shift are required.

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. Fee is 285.00 per person.

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

Each accessory workshop is a half day workshop and the fee is 35.00 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

Because of the nature and enrollment limitation 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 $30 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 $30 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 the workshop being cancelled 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. 2023.