Hive Workshops Fall 2012 - Winter 2013

We're pleased to announce the workshops for the upcoming Hive season

Bed Gown

Sunday, December 2, 2012

You will be constructing a lined bed gown patterned from an original in the collection of the Manchester City Galleries in England.  The cost of the workshop includes a kit that contains pre-cut fashion fabric, lining, and thread. You will have a choice of fabrics. 

Fee: $125 - $150 Depending on fabric selection (includes all materials) 

Instructors: Hallie Larkin & Steph Smith

To register: hiveworkshops@gmail.com

Location: Golden Ball Tavern, Weston MA

English Gown

Saturday, January 5 & Saturday, January 12, 2013

You will be constructing a hand sewn stomacher front / en fourreau back gown based on a period example and constructed in a period manner. This gown is correct style for women reenacting a period of 1760–1780. By the end of the weekend, your gown should be substantially completed.

Fee: $150 (includes bodice and sleeve lining)

Instructors: Hallie Larkin & Steph Smith

To register: hiveworkshops@gmail.com

Location: Minute Man National Historical Park

 Quilted Petticoat

Saturday, January 19, 2013

We’ll take you through the steps of making a quilted petticoat as we build one together. You’ll also practice all the elements on a miniature quilt of your own that you will have for future reference.  We will also look at an original and discuss materials options and sources.  

Fee: $60

Instructors: Hallie Larkin & Steph Smith

To register: hiveworkshops@gmail.com

Location: Minute Man National Historical Park

  

Making Drawers

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Make a pair of drawers – a garment worn under breeches. Mentioned in tailors' account books, advertisements and runaway ads, drawers were frequently worn by New England men and were made in linen, dimity, cotton, wool, and leather.  Reproduce a linen pair  - you’ll thank yourself at the next cold and damp reenactment! 

Fee: $50  (Materials not included)

Instructor: Henry Cooke

To register contact: hcooke4@verizon.net

Location: Minute Man National Historical Park 

Original Garments: A Closer Look

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Take an up close and personal look at a collection of original garments and accessories. We’ll show you construction details, let you take a closer look at materials used to construct these garments, and learn some dress maker/tailor’s tricks.  See some amazing artifacts from coats, breeches, embroidered waistcoats, to a variety of gowns and accessories, including some brand new acquisitions!

$40/person for men’s clothing

$40/person for women’s clothing

Women’s Clothing 10 am – 12:00 pm

Men’s Clothing 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

To register: hive workshops@gmail.com

Location: Minute Man National Historical Park

Making a Bandbox

Saturday, January 19, 2012

 You will learn how to make a period bandbox. The one you will be making is perfect for use as a sewing kit.  You’ll learn about period pieces and their use, while making your own during this one-day workshop. Fee includes all materials.

Fee: $40 

To register: hiveworkshops@gmail.com

Instructor: Emily Murphy

Location: Minute Man National Historical Park

   

Cloaks: Men’s & Women’s

January 5, 2013

Period account books, diaries, and advertisements include many references to cloaks, plus there are numerous examples surviving in New England collections.  You will be making either a man’s or woman’s cloak, each is based on an original.  Not hard to make, if you have the space and a little sewing talent, this is a terrific project for the novice sewer!

Instructor: Henry Cooke

Fee: $50 (Materials not included)

To register contact: hcooke4@verizon.net

Location: Minute Man National Historical Park

Leather Breeches

Saturday & Sunday, February 23 & 24, 2013

Leather breeches were perhaps the most universal garment in the 18th century male wardrobe; from Royal Governors to slaves in the fields, these durable and comfortable breeches were the blue jeans of their time. Join Jay Howlett and Jan Tilley from Williamsburg, VA for an intensive and very hands-on exploration of the arts and mysteries of the breeches maker. Participants will receive all materials and notions to cut and fit a pair of buckskin breeches.

This is an advanced level workshop requiring good hand sewing skills. Participation is limited to 8 to allow the individual attention requisite for proper cutting and fitting. Those sewing for someone other than themselves will need to have the wearer attend for parts of the workshop. Deadline for registration: January 15^th.

Fee: $400 (includes materials)Instructors: Jay Howlett & Jan Tilley

To register contact: rushonboys@yahoo.com 

Location: Minute Man National Historical Park

February Hive - 2013

The second Hive of the season is all about developing your interpretive skills

Hive 2 Sunday,  February 10, 2013 -- "It's Up To Interpretation!"

The Buzz 11:30 am-12 pm Discussion: The Challenge – Getting Started

Need some inspiration to gett ing started on your impression for this year’s Challenge?  Learn about how others are getting started, become inspired, and get the support you need to take the first steps.

Lecture 1pm - 1:30 pm  “Clothing Makes the Man (or Woman)”

How come some people look like they just walked out of a portrait?  What are the elements that create a total 18^th century look from way a garment is worn to the accessories –we’ll highlight several types of impressions including civilian and military.

A Bit of Theatre 1:30 pm—2:00 pm 

His Majesty’s10th Foot Players Present “Theatricals for your Amusement” 

Theatre is a great way to get a better appreciation of the spoken word of a period and the closest thing we have to an verbal time machine – so enjoy the show!

Breakout Sessions 2:15 pm-4:00 pm

●      Deportment – Enroll in Master and Mistress Mees’ 18^th Century Finishing School to brush up on your deportment. Learn how (and who) to greet, practice your courtesies and bows, and avoid social awkwardness at your next gathering.

●      First Person Clinic – Does the thought of doing a first-person interpretation make you break out in a cold sweat?  Join John Adams interpreter Tom Macy and other expert first-person interpreters who will take the mystery out of role playing. They’ll discuss the tricks and traps and let you practice what you’ve learned.

●      Accouterments Real & Reproduction – View items of militaria from local collections – guns, cartridge boxes, powder horns, as well as some their reproductions that allow us a closer/hands-on view or details.

January Hive 2013

The first Hive of 2013 will be held on Sunday, January 20, 2013 and the focus will be clothing!

Here's the schedule:

Noon - 1pm  - The BUZZ

Come early, catch up with friends, meet new people – get the latest buzz.  We’ll be talking about this year’s Challenge Event.  So if you were considering participating, stop by and find out what it’s all about.  

Lecture: 1pm - 1:45 -- The Process of Putting Together a Great Kit

What are the steps to creating a really terrific kit? We will explore where to start, how to document your choices using primary sources, as well as selecting appropriate patterns and fabric. Most importantly, we’ll look at the elements that set an impression apart, from the fit to the details. Whether you are just starting out or are an experienced reenactor who would like to get to the next level of accuracy, you should find this helpful.

Breakout Sessions 2 pm - 4 pm

●      Newbie Clinic for Women – By watching our models transform into their 18^th century selves, you’ll learn about how to build your kit from the inside out and from head to toe.

●      Kit Tune up for Men -- Fixing Baggie Breeches & Wobbly Waistcoats  -- A good fit can dramatically improve the look of your small clothes, even if you bought them off the rack. Bring your ill-fitting breeches and waistcoat and learn the simple methods you need to know to give them a proper 18^th century fit.

●      Converting your Center Front Closing Gown into A Stomacher/Robings Gown  -- If you have some leftover fabric (or a matching petticoat) you can easily make your center front closing gown into a stomacher front gown – a style that is more appropriate for Battle Road/pre 1780’s New England

●      Darning a Sock – Have you blown out the heel of your stocking?  Ripped a hole in them running through the woods? Learn how to repair the damage!  Save your stockings with this useful skill

●      Hand Sewing101 – Are you taking any of the clothing workshops this year? Considering hand sewing a garment but don’t know where to start? Join us for a primer on basic hand sewing – from what kind of needle to select to mastering the basic stitches you’ll need to know. You will make a small drawstring bag

●      Finishing Your Shift – Have you finished the shift you started at a previous Hive workshop?  If you need an little motivation or help restarting your shift project, join Sharon for a shift sewing circle.

You'll be able to register thru the Hive website starting next week.  In the meantime, if you have any questions email hiveworkshops@gmail.com

Getting Personal: Drawers or Not?

George Costanza from Seinfeld modeling his boxers

Today we're going to get personal. No, not boxers or tighty-whiteies - rather drawers or go commando?

From what we can tell, New England men wore drawers. They were listed in both tailor's account books we've looked at, and they were advertised in period newspapers, mentioned in runaway ads, and frequently show up in ads for stolen property. Made of linen, cotton, linsey, dimity, wool flannel, ticking, and leather, you can understand why they would be a very practical garment.

Boston Gazette 1769

Boston Newsletter 1769

CT Courant 1781

Massachusetts Spy 1772

Drawers are something that could be laundered easily, thereby protecting your breeches from sweat and body oils.  By serving as a defacto lining, they would protect the inside of your breeches from normal wear and tear.  And very important to us, as New Englanders, they would help you keep warm!

Like shirts and shifts, not very many survive, but there are a few examples in museum collections.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Colonial Williamsburg

So maybe it's time to start thinking about adding this item of under wear to your kit.

As part of our Hive workshop programming for 2013, Henry Cooke will be offering a class on making drawers on Saturday, January 19th.  Stay tuned for more information! In the meantime, you can reserve a spot at hiveworkshops@gmail.com