Class Schedule 2023

Have you ever wanted to recreate that amazing costume you saw in a movie but just can’t find the perfect fabric? Do you have a brilliant idea for a twist on a historical look? In this class, we’ll learn how to create seamless designs that can be printed on fabric through one of the many print-on-demand websites. I’ll provide instructions for using Adobe Photoshop (desktop), Adobe Illustrator (desktop) or Procreate (iPad) to compose your design and walk you through the steps of uploading, verifying and ordering. If you have the software, you can work along with me and create your own design, but you are also welcome to observe. I’ll have samples in class for students to touch and look at to illustrate the nuances of designing for different fabric substrates and offer tips and tricks for getting your ideas out of your head and onto fabric.

Note: If you’ll be working along with me, you must have your own computer/iPad with the software already installed and have a basic understanding of how the software works. You should be able to create a new document and create basic shapes in that document without assistance. I understand that the software options listed all cost money. If there is a free option you prefer to use, I will do my best to give you a hand as most of the instructions will translate to any software, but again, basic understanding of the software is expected.

Instructor: Rachel Petterson

Instructor provides:

• Samples which students may inspect during class

Student provides:

• A computer with Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator or an iPad with Procreate if students want to create a design along with the instructor. Otherwise, they may observe in lecture format.

Cockades are the ultimate timeless accessories. Use them for your 18th century costumes, 1920s costumes, or everything in between. They can be used for hat decorations, shoe decorations, showing off your political allegiances or causes, or given to someone deserving an award.

Instructor: Chang Meng

Materials fee: $2 if you would like a “Votes For Women” button centerpiece. (Kit fees will be collected at Costume Academy. Please bring cash in the exact amount.)

Student provides:

• A variety of ribbons from your stash that are over 1-1.5 yard long and over 3/4” wide. Petersham and silk satin ribbons are more historical but any cheap ribbons will do for practice. Striped ribbons would be the easiest to work with.
• Cork board or a sheet of 5-6mm thick craft foam from the craft store (9”x12” sheet from kids’ craft section at craft stores will work perfectly, just make sure it’s the thicker one)
• All of your sewing pins
• Needle and thread
• Scissors
• Clear Scotch tape or masking tape
• (Optional) Metal shank buttons, covered buttons, etc for the center of your
  cockade
• (Optional) Hot glue gun

his class will explore the history of smocking, with a slideshow of examples from historical and popular costuming. The instructor will discuss the range of different smocking styles, and demonstrate and teach the basic techniques for each. Students will leave the class armed with all the knowledge and inspiration they need to incorporate smocking into their own costume designs.

Instructor: Natalie Wiener

Materials fee: $5

Instructor provides:

• Fabric
• Thread
• Embroidery floss
• Class handout

Student provides:

• Needles
• Scissors,
• Thimble
• Fabric pen or pencil
• Ruler (clear plastic drafting ruler is great)

In the 19th century, gentlemen wore these cozy caps to keep their heads warm at home in the era before central heating. I have also seen at least one period image of a lady wearing one, so don’t feel limited! We will make a stylish cap either by hand or by machine. If you wish to do extensive trimming in advance (ie: embroidery or soutache), you will need to decorate a 6.75” circle and a strip (3” wide and the length of your head circumference), both with at least two inches of seam allowance all around. The pattern includes three full-size trim patterns taken from period magazines. If you want these in advance of the class, please contact me. For inspiration please visit my Pinterest board.

Instructor: Catherine Scholar

Instructor provides:

• Pattern

Student provides:

• 1/2 yard medium weight woven fabric: traditional choices are velvet, wool, or silk
• Thread to match
• 1/2 yard low loft batting, pre-quilted fabric (cotton or silk), or medium weight interfacing
• 1/2 yard lining fabric: muslin, cotton, silk.  Omit if using pre-quilted fabric above.
• 1 yard bias tape, twill tape or ribbon to finish the lower edge
• One shank button about 1” diameter
• One long tassel.  You can buy graduation tassels cheaply on Amazon that work nicely.
• Trims as desired: soutache, braid, embroidery etc. Anything goes!
• Fabric Scissors
• Needles
• Thimble
• Thread snips
• Beeswax
• Pins
• Paper scissors
• Scotch tape

Note: the pre-quilted fabric combines the batting and lining into one fabric.

We’ll talk about what is and isn’t possible when dealing with damaged vintage clothing.  Topics will include: reweaving, reworking, dyeing, cleaning and storage. If you have experience with vintage mending I’d love to hear about what tricks have worked best for you. Ideally, this class will be a collaboration where we share our knowledge (and have some fun).

Instructor: Halsey Varady

Instructor provides:

• Examples of my vintage projects, both successes and failures and materials to try reweaving

Student provides:

• Any damaged vintage item you want advice on

Every adventurer needs a place to stash their treasure.  Join instructor Sarah Mijts as we learn the basics of leather-working while assembling a leather pouch.  Whether you are storing dice or need an accessory to hang off your belt, this bag has you covered.

Instructor: Sarah Mijts 

Materials fee: $20

Instructor provides:

• Leather
• Dyes
• Some tools
• Lacing

Student provides:

• A basic leather working kit online. Leather kit options:
  • Amazon listing #1 ($26)
  • Amazon listing #2 ($55)
• Hammer
• Earplugs
• Latex gloves

First period the students will make two long switches. Then learn how to style them into a period chignon. In the second period, teacher will demo how to make some other fake hair bits like; front bang curls, soft curls for the crown and long pin-in sausage curls. Teacher will also demo how to put a complete hairstyle together.

Instructor: Lynn McMasters

Materials fee: $3 (Kit fees will be collected at Costume Academy. Please bring cash in the exact amount.)

Instructor provides:

• Wire
• Color paper backing
• Heavy thread and markers

Student provides:

• A sewing machine that has a zig-zag stitch and thread your hair color
• A package of braiding hair 40” long. Teacher recommends “Rastafri Freed’m-silky-Braid”. Go to the largest wig store you can find for best selection. If you want to order on-line try I Kick Shins because they sell samples and are in Pacifica so they are close. You can also send a sample of your hair in a plastic bag for color match. If they say you need to mix two colors you need to do that before class. Teacher has a “How-to” on her website.

Make a 19 th -century circular reticule using 1865 instructions. This reticule is mostly hand-sewn, although some parts can be optionally machine sewn. We will look at pictures of a few extant examples and then start sewing our own handbags. (two periods). If you wish to do extensive trimming (embroidery etc) in advace, you will need to decorate two four-inch circles with at least one inch seam allowance all round.

Instructor: Catherine Scholar

Instructor provides:

• Handout

Student provides:

• ¼ yard extra heavy interfacing, Pellon Peltex #70 or similar.  This is for machine sewing.
• OR a 6”x24” piece of non-corrugated cardboard (cereal box or
  similar).  You need to get four 4” circles from your cardboard.  This is for hand sewing.
• ½ yard fashion fabric, taffeta or similar weight.  Do not use heavy materials like velvet or home décor fabrics.
• ½ yard lining fabric, matching or contrasting silk, linen or cotton
• 2 yards matching ribbon or cord, 1” wide or smaller
• Thread to match
• Any trims you want
• Hand sewing needles
• Thimble
• Pins or wonder clips
• Fabric scissors
• Paper scissors
• Ruler/measuring tape
• Chalk or fabric marker
• Bodkin or safety pin
• (Optional) sewing machine, with needles, foot pedal and power cord.

After a brief demonstration of different dress trimming examples for 18th and 19th century European fashions, learn how to make a few different styles of ribbon trims to make your gowns pop!

Instructor: Judy Grivich

Materials fee: $5

Instructor provides:

• Ribbon
• Poster board

Student provides:

• Needles
• Pins
• Thread
• Scissors
• Quilting style ruler
• Marking pen (such as Frixon)

Students will learn how to work with leather and walk away with a mug fit for any tavern! Whether you are slaying dragons or sailing the high seas, this leather mug will be the perfect accessory!

Instructor: Sarah Mijts 

Materials fee: $20

Instructor provides:

• Leather
• Dyes
• Some tools
• Rivets

Student provides:

• A basic leather working kit online. Leather kit options:
  • Amazon listing #1 ($26)
  • Amazon listing #2 ($55)
• Hammer
• Earplugs
• Latex gloves

See above description.

See above description.