Learn how to make an 18th century gown like a period mantua-maker
PERSONAL GOWN-MAKING WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE
NOW ACCEPTING ENQUIRIES TO BOOK DATES FROM JANUARY 2027 ONWARDS
This one-to-one in-person workshop experience offers you the opportunity to make your own 18th century gown — entirely hand-sewn, using only stitches and techniques seen in original period gowns — with both expert instruction and practical assistance with cutting, stitching and fitting. Learn tips that prevent mistakes and save time. Develop understanding, confidence and skills. Wear your beautifully fitted self-made gown with pleasure and pride.
Instructor: Rebecca Olds
Location: To be negotiated. Ideally, you can come to me [in Leiden, Netherlands], although it may be possible for me to travel to your location, provided a suitable venue is secured and my travel and accommodation costs are reimbursed (which are not included in the workshop price).
(But seriously - come to Leiden - it’s a beautiful walkable medieval city with a rich textile history, oozing charm from every canal and cobblestone street. You won’t regret it.)
Duration: 3-5 consecutive days, to be negotiated.
Dates: to be negotiated, whatever best suits both your schedule and mine.
Experience level: No previous gownmaking experience required but you should be confident with basic hand-stitching especially running stitch, backstitch and spaced back-stitch.
(We will discuss this in more detail before confirming your booking.)
PRICE: €1,750 - €3,000
depending on gown style, complexity, number of days
18th century gowns came in a huge number of different styles - each with their own variations over time and in different places. Need inspiration or help deciding?
Here are examples of a few of the styles you can choose to make in your workshop. Click on each gown to go to its museum page and learn more about it.
See even more examples on my Pinterest boards!
Mantua Gown — from its era as a fashionable gown (not formal court wear) — c.1700-1720
Robe Abattue or Volante (closed sack, sometimes called a Battante) — c.1710-1735
Night-Gown (often called an ‘English gown’ today - that was not a period term) — variations through most of the century c.1725-1790
Long Sack Gown (commonly called a ‘Sackback’ or ‘Robe a l’Francaise’) — variations from c.1750-1785
Short Sack Gown (also known as a pet en l’air) — c.1750-1780
“Italian Night-Gown” (seamed back) — variations from c.1775-1790
Chemise a la Reine — variations from c.1780-1790
Workshop Requirements:
For your workshop, you will need to have:
an 18th century style shift,
18th century stays that fit you well, giving the desired shape and support,
skirt supports specific to the gown style you’re making, and
bodice lining shapes that fit you well. These can be -
shapes that I have cut for you — see Special Offer below,
shapes cut on you in a Burnley & Trowbridge Co. workshop taught by Brooke Welborn, or
shapes copied from the bodice lining from a period-accurate pattern that fits you well, e.g. adjusted from an 18th century gown pattern from Scroop Patterns or At the Sign of the Golden Scissors/Larkin & Smith or American Duchess’s Isabella Mactavish Fraser pattern.
suitable fabrics for your gown and any linings - I can advise on this.
SPECIAL OFFER
50% discount on shapes cut by me before your workshop!
When booking your workshop, make sure to say you would like to book for shapes as well.
You can see details about this service HERE.
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HOW TO BOOK
1. Send an email to rebecca@timesmith.nl
with Subject line: Individual Gown Workshop
In the email:
Indicate WHICH style of gown you are interested in making.
Indicate if you have an EVENT DEADLINE you are aiming to meet.
Indicate if you wish to book an appointment for bodice lining shapes to be cut for you before your workshop.
Confirm that you have read my PRIVACY POLICY (which explains how I process the information you give to me).
Confirm that you have also read my TERMS & CONDITIONS (which explains our rights and obligations towards each other - you’ll need to agree to these later)
2. I will send you a questionnaire about your expectations for the workshop so we can work together to ensure successful preparation of everything outlined above and agree the details of what you wish to accomplish by taking the workshop. Please return the completed questionnaire to me. I will review what you’ve told me in it and let you know if I have any further questions or comments. (This is not a test or audition! We could even just hop on a video call to chat through your questionnaire responses, if that’s easier.)
3. Once we’ve agreed what your workshop will cover and that it will be suitable for you, I will send you a Quote with the total fees for your workshop (specifying the title, date and location for each) and any additional service you have requested, together with payment terms and a copy of my TERMS & CONDITIONS.
4. You will need to confirm in writing that you wish to go ahead and that you accept the Terms & Conditions. I then offer you a 14-day period during which you can cancel/change your mind. which you can waive or opt out of, in writing.
5. If you do not cancel before the 14-day period ends (or if you opt out), I will email you to advise that your BOOKING ONTO THE WORKSHOP IS RESERVED. I will attach a single invoice for everything in the Quote. The invoice will be in GB pound sterling. You will be able to pay your invoice via (a) Paypal or (b) transfer to my business bank account. A deposit of 50% of your invoice total will be required to confirm your place(s).
6. Once I’ve received payment of the deposit, your BOOKING IS SECURED. I will confirm this to you by email and send you a Participants Pack with all the details you need to prepare and attend, including:
workshop location
main transport links - train stations, bus routes, parking in the area
equipment and amenities being provided
fabric recommendations and yardage requirements - more specific advice on suitable choices can be provided if needed
a list of what you will need to bring in terms of sewing tools, notions, etc.
7. You will need to pay the remaining 50% balance of your invoice at least 6 weeks before your workshop date. That deadline will be on your invoice, and I will send you reminders if needed.
SUMMARY OF KEY CANCELLATION / REFUND POLICIES - YOU WILL NEED TO CONFIRM YOU HAVE READ ALL OF THE TERMS & CONDITIONS WHEN YOU ACCEPT THE QUOTE.
Cancellations up to 1 month before your workshop: monies paid up to cancellation will be refunded, minus a £50 admin fee.
No refund is possible for cancellations less than 1 month before the workshop start date.
Failure to pay the balance in time will result in your booking being cancelled. If this happens, your deposit will be refunded, minus a £50 admin fee per workshop.
If the workshop is entirely cancelled by me/Timesmith Dress History, your registration will be refunded in full (without deduction of any admin fee), but we are not responsible for any consequential costs you may have incurred e.g. for travel/accommodation. (Travel insurance is strongly recommended.)