Make a Sixteenth-Century Farthingale
About this workshop
Learn how to make a sixteenth-century Spanish farthingale with dress and material culture historian Dr Sarah Bendall.
Farthingales were skirt shaping undergarments that enlarged the lower half of the female body. First appearing in Spain in the fifteenth century, and widely worn throughout Western and Central Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, styles of farthingales ranged from simple padded rolls to large cage-like structures that covered the body from waist to ankles. It is these early modern garments that later inspired the hoop petticoats of the eighteenth century and the crinolines of the nineteenth century.In this full-day workshop, you will use historically accurate methods and materials to create a half-scale hooped farthingale, based on a surviving sixteenth century example from Spain.
Through clear demonstrations and group tuitions, you’ll be taught sixteenth century sewing and construction techniques, as well as how to make ‘ropes of bents’ – just like Queen Elizabeth I’s tailors and farthingale-makers!
All methods are taught so that they’re easily replicated at home, ensuring your sixteenth century tailoring journey continues well after the class.
At the end of the day, you will get to take your creation home.
Essential information
Required skill level
Students must be able to competently use a sewing machine* and do basic hand stitches – this is not a beginner sewing class. If you can comfortably sew a tote bag or a basic skirt in non-stretch fabric using a sewing machine then you are ready for this class.
* Sewing machines will be used to sew straight seams for the sake of time, if you are a competent and fast hand sewer you can choose to do this by hand.
What do I need to bring?
Snacks, lunch, water bottle, notepad and pen.
Clothing guidelines
Comfortable clothes and closed toed shoes
Maximum class size
Small class size – 10 participants max
What is Included
All instruction, tools and materials included.
You will learn
Through clear demonstrations and group tuitions, you’ll be taught sixteenth century sewing and construction techniques, as well as how to make ‘ropes of bents’ – just like Queen Elizabeth I’s tailors and farthingale-makers!
Morning tea/lunch info
A lunch break and morning tea break are included with morning tea provided.
