— — January 2027— — Hand Sewing Winter Series with LeeAra Anglin

Related Courses/Events: Textile Courses

Dates:

Session 1: 9:45am-12:30pm, Saturday, January 9, 2027

Session 2: 9:45am-12:30pm, Saturday, January 16, 2027

Session 3: 9:45am-12:30pm, Saturday, January 23, 2027

Session 4: 9:45am-12:30pm, Saturday, January 30, 2027

Description: Slow down and go back in time with this Winter Series of Hand Sewing lessons in a cozy classroom environment. LeeAra will guide you through a variety of handsewing projects as time and skill level allow. She will teach you fundamental hand sewing techniques for sewing an historically accurate 18th century apron, petticoat, or pockets or a gusseted sleeve tunic. LeeAra will also be on hand to help anyone with an unfinished project. She will cover basic stitches like back stitch, running stitch, and whip stitch as well as how to gather fabric and attach it to an apron band. You can sign up for any one class and complete your project on your own at home, or sign up for several sessions and progress to more advanced techniques and additional projects as time and skill allow. No prior hand sewing experience needed! Snacks and hot cider will be provided.

Bring machine washed and dried linen fabric or unwashed wool fabric. Yardage to bring is listed below based on size and project. You can also consult with LeeAra prior to class to confirm your fabric needs.

Please Bring:

Sewing Kit

• Pin cushion

• Pins

• Sewing tape measure

• Fabric scissors or otherwise sharp scissors

• Thread to match fabric choice if matching is desired, plus white or cream thread to match tape. LeeAra prefers going a more traditional route and using natural 50/3 linen thread from Burnley and Trowbridge

• Sewing needles and tape binding will be provided by LeeAra, though you are welcome to bring your own.

For the Apron: 1 yard pre-washed linen fabric (cotton OK, but linen preferred) (36 inches x 45-60 inches) Machine wash and machine dry the fabric prior to class. This assures that the bulk of any shrinking has already occurred and softens the linen for sewing. If one wishes to be historically accurate blue checks and stripes were very common in the 18th century, but any color/pattern will do. Here is a source for very high quality Irish linen‍ ‍and another decent source for linen fabric. This is a good source for wool fabric.

Tunic/shirt: Bring pre-washed/dried linen fabric or unwashed wool fabric. 2 yards fabric (possibly 3 yards if large or tall)

Petticoat/skirt: Bring pre-washed/dried linen fabric or unwashed wool fabric. 

For a waist of 38 inches or less, 2 yards of fabric. If you have 45 inch width fabric, the pleats will not be quite as full. Choose 55-60 inches width for full pleats.

For a waist 60 inches or less, 2 yards of fabric, 55-60 inches width. 

For a waist 60 inches or more, 4 yards of fabric.

Pockets: Bring pre-washed/dried fabric. It should be thick and durable and be able to take wear and tear—think canvas, heavyweight linen, or an old hemp linen grain sack. 1/2 yard for 55” wide fabric, for less than 55” wide, bring 1 yard.

Reading glasses/headlamp/task light if you need them

Session Fee: $35 per session, $100 for three, $125 for all four

One Time Material Fee: $10 (cash preferred) paid to the instructor directly during class, for all projects except tunic.

LeeAra Anglin has been hand sewing for the better part of the last 7 years. Her projects range from 18th century gowns, petticoats, and shifts to replicas of 11th century extants found in southern Greenland and much in between that catches her fancy. She was taught by a young lass named Anna Eklund, who has handsewn gowns and outfits for renowned reenactors and weddings at Colonial Williamsburg. LeeAra absolutely adores the work of the hand in the construction of garments and is excited to share this love with you. She lives in a handmade house on a homestead in Mason with children, farm animals, and gardens. @heritage.hill.homestead