"Preparing for Lafayette" Lecture and Workshop Series
Saturday 10 June 2023
9:00am - 4:00pm
Fayetteville Arts Council Building
301 Hay Street, Fayetteville, NC
FIRST in a series of lectures & sewing workshops detailing clothing worn during Lafayette's return visit to Fayetteville, NC on March 4, 1825
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Register for Up-Coming Events
Foundations Lecture / workshop
Lafayette's Grand Birthday Soirée
Foundations Lecture / workshop
Daywear Lecture / Workshop
Lafayette's Grand Birthday Soirée
Foundations Lecture / workshop
8 July 2023
9:00am - 4:00pm
Fayetteville Arts Council
301 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC
Eveningwear Lecture / workshop
Lafayette's Grand Birthday Soirée
Lafayette's Grand Birthday Soirée
12 August 2023
9:00am - 4:00pm
Fayetteville Arts Council
301 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC
Lafayette's Grand Birthday Soirée
Lafayette's Grand Birthday Soirée
Lafayette's Grand Birthday Soirée
9 September 2023
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: SkyView on Hay
121 Hay St. Fayetteville, NC
Have Questions?
what will we be doing?
What will the day look like?
what will we be doing?
I will start the morning with a lecture on 1820s clothing focusing on foundation garments such as shift, chemise, corset, stockings, men's shirt and under britches.
I will also give a brief overview of fashionable and working garments and accessories demonstrating how the 1820s were a transformative and transitional period significantly different from the the highly structured garments of the previous era.
A separate workshop will be provided later in the year for dresses and eveningwear.
You will then get 4+ hours of one-on-one supervised instruction and support with me to prepare your pattern and fabric. I'll be available to you and others in the workshop to provide immediate support and answer your questions through the rest of the workshop.
Want to try hand-made buttonholes and eyelets? I'll provide a quick tutorial on historical techniques.
What do i get?
What will the day look like?
what will we be doing?
Each participant will receive a BeespokeVintage gift bag to keep patterns and fabric in from the end of the day. I'll also have some goodies from the Lafayette Society to help you get in the spirit for the 2024 Bicentennial!
But what you'll really get is an unforgettable experience learning and sewing with history and clothing enthusiasts just like you!
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To make it easier for everyone, I've prepared a supply list with links to suggested patterns, fabric and other supplies.
You will need to purchase these items EARLY so you have time to receive them, pre-wash fabric and cut out patterns so you can make the most of the workshop time sewing.
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Need some basics? I provide options for sewing kits including rotary cutters and mats and the option to rent a sewing machine for the day so you don't have to bring yours! Just ask!
What will the day look like?
What will the day look like?
CAN I bring my own fabric and Patterns?
Tentative Schedule:
0900 - 1000 Lecture
1000 - 1010 Break
1010 - 1200 Cutting Patterns/Fabric
1200 - 1300 Lunch Catered by Chicken Salad Chick (You may also bring your own lunch or hit any of the local downtown shops for lunch)
1300 - 1600 Sewing/Construction at your own pace with supervision and support from me.
1600 - 1630 Wrap Up / Clean Up
* I will provide bottled water and you are welcome to bring drinks and snacks for yourself. NO RED COLORED drinks/sodas or alcohol per venue restrictions.
CAN I bring my own fabric and Patterns?
CAN I bring my own fabric and Patterns?
CAN I bring my own fabric and Patterns?
Of course! If you have your own fabric and patterns and just want to come along for the lecture and workshop space to sew with others, you are absolutely welcome!
Just sign up for the lecture and workshop portion and then let me know you will will be bringing your own things. I'll make sure you have a table!
Questions? Don't hesitate to ask!
Do you offer discounts?
CAN I bring my own fabric and Patterns?
What if I have no sewing experience?
I am pleased to extend a 10% Discount to:
- Active Duty Military / First Responders / Teachers / Single Parents
- DAR / SOR / CAR members
- Lafayette Society members
- Students (with current student ID)
Other Special Discounts:
- At each workshop you attend, you will receive a 10% discount code for your next workshop.
- Sign Up for All Three Lectures and Receive a 10% discount off the Lafayette Ball!
- Become a Patron and receive a 10% - 15% discount (depending on level) to all workshops and events!
What if I have no sewing experience?
CAN I bring my own fabric and Patterns?
What if I have no sewing experience?
Foundation garments are pretty simple and an easy way to get started sewing. I'll be there to help walk you through pattern layout and cutting and some of the basics. I'll even have sewing kits you can buy with all the tools you'll need, and a few machines you can rent for the day if you don't have one yourself yet.
Note: I do NOT recommend tackling a corset if you are a beginner sewer.
If you'd like to get some basic sewing instruction prior to the workshop, or need follow up tutorials afterword, you can always book time with me through my website.
Need Special Accommodations?
Need Special Accommodations?
Need Special Accommodations?
I want to make your experience as excellent as possible! Please let me know if you need special accommodations. I will do my best to ensure your needs are met within the constraints of the venue.
What if I need to cancel?
Need Special Accommodations?
Need Special Accommodations?
I understand things come up and you may need to cancel your registration.
Registrations cancelled at least 30 days out from the day of the event may be cancelled for a full refund.
No refunds can be accepted for cancellations within the 30 day window. (However, any pattern kits or sewing kits purchased are still yours to keep. We can arrange pick up or you may pay postage to have it delivered to your address.)
You may transfer your registration and pattern kits to another participant at any time (please contact me if new sewing pattern sizes are needed - changing pattern sizes may be unavailable within 14 days of event)
Our Supporters
Supported in Part by a Mini Grant from . . .
GRANT DESCRIPTION
This is the FIRST in a series of historical lectures and sewing workshops that detail period clothing during the time of General Lafayette's return visit to North Carolina during the 1820s. These lectures and workshops will serve three purposes:
- to increase awareness of the historical Bicentennial event for our town which is named after the famous General
- to increase awareness of historical clothing of the period in general
- to increase / teach / continue the (quickly disappearing) skills of clothing making and hand sewing
This mini grant will cover the first of my series of lectures/workshops: Preparing for Lafayette - Foundations. During this workshop, participants will learn about the silhouette of the 1820s and how it had changed dramatically from the earlier "Colonial" period we often recognize with 1776 events. Participants will explore a brief overview of the details and differences between clothing of working classes and nobility, including fabric, color and fastening uses to prepare them for the overall understanding of period dress.
The bulk of this workshop will then turn to and focus on the foundation garments for men and women. I will discuss some of the myths and funny stories surrounding period undergarments, how undergarments were worn differently in the past than they are today, and why particular fabrics were important for undergarments. After the lecture, participants will be able to start work on their own foundation undergarments in preparation for future workshops where they will continue to build out their complete 1820s wardrobe.
Participants will have the opportunity to purchase patterns and fabric prior to the event or at the event itself. Tables will be set up for laying out patterns, cutting, and preparing the sewing. If time permits, we will be able to begin sewing at the workshop where I can walk among the participants and answer questions regarding sewing techniques and historical accuracy, etc.
While the workshops are geared toward the upcoming Bicentennial Lafayette events, participants can obviously wear their garments to any number of historical living histories or reenactments throughout North Carolina. As many living histories do not exist in Cumberland County, I do hope to apply for additional mini grants to support this grant and to bring living histories with educational, dancing tutorials, music and other period skills to Cumberland County as well.
impact
Fayetteville, NC was the first town in the United States named for Lafayette, and the only one that he is known to have personally visited. Bicentennial events of Lafayette's travels throughout the United States will take place from 2024 - 2025.
Fayetteville will play host in March 2025 and will be the ONLY HOST CITY actually named for Lafayette. This is a special event for Fayetteville and one that will be even more momentous if Cumberland County / Fayetteville residents can participate in events in period attire.
Learning about the correct attire for the time and learning to create their own clothing from the undergarments to the outer wear will be both an historical journey and experience as well as a revitalization of a quickly disappearing skill - sewing.
This is the first in a series of workshops where I will provide historical background on clothing worn by people in the 1820s followed by a sewing workshop where I will help participants create their own outfits to prepare for the Bicentennial event.
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PLUS! For a limited time only: Subscribers receive a 10% discount off all events!