Want to learn how to make your own authentic 18th century gown?

SAVE THE DATES — Scotland Workshops!

I am delighted to announce that I will be teaching
THREE gownmaking workshops in Scotland in Spring 2027!

learn how to make an 18th century gown like a period mantua-maker

Tania builds the lining for one side of the bodice fronts, for the new 1740s English Gown she is making in one of Rebecca's workshops. Tania is wearing a purple polo shirt and spectacles.

Tania making her new night-gown
in a 2024 workshop

The DATES, CITIES and GOWN STYLES:

March 15-19, 2027 ~ Berwick-on-Tweed ~ 1770s Long Sack Gown
March 22-26, 2027 ~ Stirling ~ c.1705-1715 Mantua Gown
April 5-9, 2027 ~ Inverness ~ 1740s Night-gown (aka English Gown today)

Full details on all workshops will be on the website soon and
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN SEPTEMBER.

Back view of a person in historical costume, wearing a teal blue dress with a fitted bodice and full skirt, and beige puffed sleeves, standing in front of a dark background.

Here you can find workshops on 18th century gown making!

A person wearing a black helmet is working with fabric or material at a table, with sewing pins and cutting mats visible in an indoor setting.

Leslie making her new long sack gown
in a 2025 workshop

For all 3 workshops, classroom time will start on Tuesday, with Mondays offering possibilities (details TBC) for visiting local museum exhibitions with 18th century garments and possibly even a behind-the-scenes collections visit in at least one location. (Please note Monday activities will be optional and not included in the workshop price.)

I will also offer a limited number of timeslots for anyone wishing to have bodice lining shapes cut to your figure* so you can start your workshop with well-fitting bodice lining pattern pieces ready to cut out (or even cut out in advance).

Class size will be limited to 8 people for each workshop. 

These workshops are suitable for those new to 18th century dressmaking. We will focus on how to construct the iconic pleat structures associated with each style and you will finish your workshop with a solid understanding of how that style goes together. Students already familiar with back pleat structures will have the opportunity for more hands-on practice with my in-person support and the assistance of a fitting buddy.

Workshop Cost Per Person:

Long Sack Gowns £375

Mantua Gowns £375

Night-gowns £350

Discounts for multiple workshops: £50 off when booking 2; £100 off when booking 3

* I am offering 50% off the normal price of cutting bodice linings to your precise shape ('cutting to the figure'), for anyone booked onto any of these three Spring 2027 workshops. 

I hope to see you in Scotland next spring! 
- Rebecca 

Person taking a mirror selfie in a workshop or craft room, showing a pegboard with various tools and a partial view of a smiling woman's face in the foreground.

Tania and Leslie showing off their progress during workshop fittings!