(507) Hand-Sewing a 19th-century French Chemise
Students will re-create a 19th-century French chemise. The group will study an extant 19th-century chemise from the teacher’s private collection and cut out and hand-stitch their own chemises. This class is designed for both historical and modern sewists looking to root themselves in a hand-sewing practice. The recreated chemise can be worn in the 21st-century as a nightgown or dress/tunic.
The hand skills you will practice in this workshop are cutting out a garment without a paper pattern, hand-sewing two types of felled seams, hand-sewing a neck casing, hand-hemming, and cross-stitching a monogram. This class will connect you to the lineage of sewists and ground you in a mindful hand-stitching practice.
Want to learn or brush up on hand sewing skills before our in-person class?
MAFA has scheduled a virtual Hand Sewn Summer Tunic class with Sarah on May 20/21, 2023. Details and registration are on Lessonface.
Instructor:
Experience Level:
Beginner
Maximum Class Size:
10
Student Supplies:
- Fabric: 3 yards of 45” to 60” wide, 5 oz-6oz linen or hemp. If wanting to make an historical recreation, use a white textile with a white thread.
- 2 yards 1/4 inch cotton twill tape.
- 2 yards 5/8 inch or 3/4 inch wide, plain, woven linen tape.
- Medium weight linen thread 100/3 or 100/2 weight. If wanting to make an historical recreation, use white thread with white fabric. If making for modern wear, you have the option to use contrasting threads to make the hand-sewing visible.
- Beeswax.
- Red cotton embroidery floss.
- Hand-sewing needles size 9 sharps.
- 8- to 10-inch dressmakers shears.
- Small embroidery scissors.
- Pencil or tailors chalk.
- 1 1/4” dressmakers pins.
- Seam gauge.
- Measuring tapeYardstick.
- Optional, but encouraged: Thimble.
- Optional, but encouraged: Magnification lamp.
Homework:
If possible, students should come to class with their chemises cut out ahead of time for maximum sewing time in class. Instructor will provide a PDF cutting diagram and supporting video instructions. Students will also have access to video instructions of each step of the process to complete the chemise after the workshop.