The Roaring Twenties in the Blue Mountains February 2011

During the month of February the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon regions will travel back in time with The Roaring 20s Festival. 

So what will you wear? Come to my Roaring Twenties weekend workshop and make a simple but authentic gown from the 1920's. 

Workshop date: Saturday 22nd Sunday 23rd January, 9 - 5 each day, lunch and snacks provided both days

Where: My Hazelbrook studio

Cost: $300 per student

To book: enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com

02 4701 9345

Events will be spread throughout the region with everyone joining in the fun and taking on a 1920s theme.

Activities include a return to 1927 with the Duke and Duchess of York at Jenolan Caves, a 1920s Ball or Poverty Lunch in Carrington Place, music in the park or sunset jazz, a 1920s Movie Festival in Lithgow and more. Really feel the turn back in time when visiting the Highlands Heritage Steam Festival in Oberon with their Roaring 20s classic vehicle display.

Full program listed on the Visit Blue Mountains website.

Realm of Venus Italian Showcase - in November 2011

I've been featured once again this year in the November Italian Gown Show Case on the Realm of Venus , this time with a late Italian Renaissance gown made for my friend Maria in 2009.

I am extremely honoured to again be placed with so many fine 'living history' couturiers.

The sleeves of this gown are also featured in all my publicity for The Tailor's Apprentice.

Make a gown similar to this in one of my classes, it would make a fairytale wedding gown in white velvet, with seed pearls and other semi-precious stones on the sleeves and bodice.

More images below, enjoy!

Quilt classes - Make your Dream Quilt

Want to make a quilt, but don't know where to start? Then come and join my quilt making course starting in February 2011.

Over 10 weeks you will make a double bed quilt top and back, learn simple quilt 'tieing' techniques and how to bind your finished quilt.

I've been quilting since the mid 1990's and I love bringing my passion for quilt making to my students.

Making a quilt links you to a rich and creative history.  Like vintage and historical dress making, quilting is something that women have done for thousands of years. 

 

I run classes on quilting in my Blue Mountain studio or in your home, both machine and hand piecing techniques are taught.  

A Dyed and Gone to Heaven pattern

Making a quilt has many parts, the first is to piece and/or appliqué your quilt 'top', this is the first creative part.

My next course starts in February 2011, Sunday 6th.

A traditional Irish Chain

In my classes we use traditional piecing and appliqué techniques, once we understand the basic processes we are able to 'turn them on their head' and create contemporary designs. We look at colour theory, fabric choices and learn tips and tricks that make quilt piecing easy-peasy.  

Over the 10 weeks you will make a double bed quilt top and back, learn simple quilt 'tieing' techniques and how to bind your finished quilt.

Close-up of Irish Chain and machine quilting

An Icon to the Kitchen Goddess

 Contact me to find out more: enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com

A day in the life of The Tailor.....

I had to do the following exercise for my business coach Terri Cooke of Success Zone, so I thought I'd blog it as well.... enjoy a day in my life.

Awoke early to be picked up by Lyn and Jenny to go for our morning walk. A beautiful morning, sun shining, birds singing and business planning and ideas flying fast and furious as we walk. Home to breakfast and then catch up on social media and emails.

I then did the paperwork and online form filling to lodge my Saturday wedding, my other business hat of Offbeat Ceremonies. The ceremony was a glorious affair where the couple pledged to work towards sustaining our valuable planet in both business and family life.

At 9 a.m. my work experience student Phoebe arrives. Over the week we have been working on drafting out two garments; a Henrican gown from The Tudor Tailor and A Regency (1795 – 1810) Riding Habit from Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion 1. The first is for another student coming on Saturday and the second is Phoebe's personal project for the week.

Phoebe and I start to finalise the drafting of her jacket for A Regency (1795 – 1810) Riding Habit. 

At 9.30 a.m. my one-on-one student arrives and we continue with her 1940’s girls dress that we are making. The morning flies with sewing, creativity, learning and laughter. Lunch comes too soon and the end of my one-on-one lesson.

In the afternoon Phoebe and I start to put together the toile of her jacket, this is a very complex task for her as she has only worked with contemporary patterns till now.  She finds it a fascinating task though and as we go, we take photos and note our method. Our intention is to turn it into a blog post once it is completed. The afternoon flies as fast as the morning and Phoebe has to fly for her train home at 4.30 p.m.

I then get ready for my Women in Networking meeting in Springwood where I am a mentoree in their 2011 program for budding businesswomen in the Blue Mountains, a wonderful night of discussion, food, wine and friendship.

I return home to my beloved partner for some quiet time and chat.

Life is good, full of joy, creativity and rich in both monetary and lifestyle delights.

Italian Renaissance Gown

I'm featuring my Italian Renaissance Gown made for our 10th Anniversary celebrations in October 2009.

I am pleased to announce that the Realm of Venus featured it in the October Italian Gown Show Case, I am extremely honoured to be placed with so many fine 'living history' couturiers.

This gown is featured in all my publicity for The Tailor's Apprentice.


Make a gown similar to this in one of my classes, it would make an elegant wedding gown in white velvet, with seed pearls and other semi-precious stones on the sleeves and bodice.

More images below, enjoy!

Gift vouchers

Do you want to give a unique gift for Christmas or a special birthday?

Gift vouchers for courses with ‘The Tailor’s Apprentice’ are available directly from me.

Gift voucher payments can be made through PayPal and by Direct Bank Deposit Australia Only).

My courses are unique, we work on a real project, its not about 'learn how create a sample'.

Glamour corsets and bustiers

A Renaissance rope corset

Make a corset that fits you, not the manikin in the store, one that will be comfortable, glamorous and in fabric that you choose, a unique and beautiful addition to your costume wardrobe.

The course is based on a Victorian corset, but other eras can be made on negotiation, such as Regency, Tudor 'Pair of Bodies', 17th and 18th century styles.

Skill level: Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills.

Where: My Blue Mountains studio or in your home (depends on distance from the Blue Mountains, please chat about this with me)

Time: A weekend course, Saturday and Sunday, lunch provided and morning and afternoon tea on both days.

Spaces very limited, only 3 – 4 students in any course.

Course cost: $350 per person, $450 if run in your home (need a minimum of two students), $600 for individual tuition.

A gift voucher can be purchased for any of my courses.

Contact me for more information: enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com.au or 02 4701 9345

Heirloom wedding gowns

Make a perfect gown for your perfect day

Create your own heirloom wedding gown, a gown to pass on through the family. 



This course is perfect for the DIY and sustainable bride.


Together we will make your dream wedding gown, I will mentor you over 12 weeks through the process, together we will select pattern, purchase fabric, make a toile for a perfect fitting gown, then create the gown and all your wedding dress accessories, veil, garter, etc.


You will learn as you go and will have the delight of a self-made wedding gown.



Skill level: Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills. 

Time: 12 weeks, fours hours each week

Where: My Blue Mountains studio or in your home (depends on distance from the Blue Mountains, please chat about this with me)
 
Course cost: $1,500 for individual tuition

A gift voucher can be purchased for any of courses.

Contact me for more information: enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com.au or 02 4701 9345

 

Jane Austen Regency gown

In this course you will create a beautiful outfit from the early Regency (early 19th century), think Elizabeth Bennett, Emma Woodhouse, Fanny Price, all the heroines in Jane Austen’s novels.

Spaces very limited, only 3 – 4 students in any course

Skill level: Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills. 

Time: 10 weeks, four hours per week

Where: My Blue Mountains studio or in your home (depends on distance from the Blue Mountains, please chat about this with me) 

Course cost: $650 per person, $750 if run in your home (need a minimum of two students), $1,200 for individual tution.

A gift voucher can be purchased for any of my courses.

Contact me for more information: enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com.au or 02 4701 9345

 

Make your dream gown

This gown was made in 10 weeks

A 10-week course, four hours class time each week, total 40 hours tuition time for the course.

Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills.

You and I create a real gown, the gown you've always wanted, you learn new techniques and refresh old ones and I help you the whole way.

At the end of the course you will have a lovely gown and will have improved your seamstress abilities.

Spaces very limited, only 3 – 4 students in any course

Skill level: Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills. 

 

Time: 10 weeks, four hours per week

Where: My Blue Mountains studio or in your home (depends on distance from the Blue Mountains, please chat about this with me) 

Course cost: $650 per person, $750 if run in your home (need a minimum of two students), $1,200 for individual tution.

A gift voucher can be purchased for any of my courses.

contact me enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com.au or 02 4701 9345

A vintage dress

Together we will make a beautiful vintage outfit from last century, think flapper or cool 30’s sophisticate, the fabulous lean but beautiful fashions of WWII and the glorious gowns of the post war years, the  gorgeous gowns of the '50's and then the funky fashion of the Carnaby Street.

Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills.

You and I will create a vintage gown that will be beautiful, fit you well and be period perfect.

At the end of the course you will have a lovely vintage gown and improved your seamstress abilities, plus have a great deal of fun!

Where: My Blue Mountains studio or in your home

Spaces very limited, only 3 – 4 students in any course

Skill level: Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills. 

Time: 10 weeks, four hours per week

Where: My Blue Mountains studio or in your home (depends on distance from the Blue Mountains, please chat about this with me) 

Course cost: $650 per person, $750 if run in your home (need a minimum of two students), $1,200 for individual tuition.

 

A gift voucher can be purchased for any of my my courses.

contact me for more information:

enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com.au or 02 4701 9345

Make your dream Gown Courses 2010 - 2011

A Regency jacket in the making

My next Make Your Dream Gown course (DG-2010-04) starts on Sunday 29th November, from 1 - 5 and continues through until 30 January 2011, but as Christmas holidays will intervene, we will extend into February to catch up.

My courses are unique, we work on a real project, its not about 'learn how create a sample'.

The Tailor’s Apprentice 2010 - 2011 courses

My courses are unique, we work on a real project, its not about 'learn how create a sample'.

Make your dream gown

A 10-week course, four hours class time each week, total 40 hours tuition time for the course.

Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills.

You and I create a real gown, the gown you've always wanted, you learn new techniques and refresh old ones and I help you the whole way.

At the end of the course you will have a lovely gown and will have improved your seamstress abilities.

Where: My Blue Mountains studio, 8 Terrace Falls Road, Hazelbrook, 2779

Spaces very limited, only 3 – 4 students in any course

Course cost: $650 per person, 

Course No.	Day	Time	Commences	Concludes	Availability	Fee
2010
DG-2010-2	Saturday	13:00 – 17:00	27 November	26 February *	Class full	$650
DG-2010-3	Sunday	13:00 – 17:00	28 November	29 January *	Class full	$650
As Christmas holidays will intervene these classes will continue into February 2011

2011 classes
DG-2011-1	Saturday	13:00 – 17:00	30 April	2 July	4	$650
2011 Second half of the year classes timetable will be available in April – See also specialist classes below

Contact me for an enrollment form
email enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com or 
phone 02 4701 9345

If you would like to join this year's or any of next year's classes please fill in the enrollment form and then scan and email back, or post it back, either is fine. 

Please note, courses are popular and class spaces are limited so its best to book fast as classes fill up quickly.

Special courses in 2011

As well as the above courses, the Tailor's Apprentice is running some fabulous special courses in 2011:

Create a gown for the Bi-Centennial of the European Crossing of the Blue Mountains

In 2012 the Blue Mountains will be celebrating the Bi-Centennial of Crossing of the Blue Mountains and there will be a reenactment of the crossing with everyone in period dress.  In this course you will create a beautiful outfit suitable for the re-enactment of the 1813 crossing of the Blue Mountains.

Vintages dresses of the 20th century

Together we will make a beautiful vintage outfit from last century, think flapper or cool 30’s sophisticate, the fabulous lean but beautiful fashions of WWII and the glorious gowns of the post war years and then the funky fashion of the Carnaby Street 50’s

Vintage dresses – make yourself a fabulous gown

Together we will make a beautiful vintage outfit from last century, think flapper or cool 30’s sophisticate, the fabulous lean but beautiful fashions of WWII and the glorious gowns of the post war years and then the funky fashion of the Carnaby Street 50’s.

This is a 10-week course; four hours class time each week, total 48 hours tuition time for the course.

Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills.

You and I will create a vintage gown that will be beautiful, fit you well and be period perfect.

At the end of the course you will have a lovely vintage gown and improved your seamstress abilities, plus have a great deal of fun!

Contact me for an enrolment form enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com

Course No.	Day	Time	Commences	Concludes	Availability	Fee
VG-2011-1	Tuesday & Thursday	18:00 – 20:00	2 August & 4 August	9 November	4	$650

Bi-Centennial Crossing of the Blue Mountains 2013 celebrations

In 2013 the Blue Mountains will be celebrating the Bi-Centennial of Crossing of the Blue Mountains and there will be a reenactment of the crossing with everyone in period dress. 

In this course you will create a beautiful outfit suitable for the re-enactment of the 1813 crossing of the Blue Mountains, this is the time of the early Regency, think Elizabeth Bennett, Emma Woodhouse, Fanny Price, all heroines in Jane Austen’s novels.

You could also make your husband an appropriate and period correct walking outfit instead.

This is a 12-week course; four hours class time each week, total 48 hours tuition time for the course.

Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills.

You and I will create an early 19^th century gown, you will learn 19^th century sewing techniques and combine them with 21^st century tailoring and I help you the whole way.

At the end of the course you will have a lovely historic gown and improved your seamstress abilities, plus have a great deal of fun!

Where: My Blue Mountains studio, courses can also be run in your home, please contact me for more details.

Spaces very limited, only 3 – 4 students in any course

Course cost: $750 per person, 4 hours per week, over 10 weeks, that's just $18.75 an hour to create an authentic gown or walking suit of the early colony.

Contact me for an enrollment form by:

email: enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com or 
phone: 02 4701 9345

Create your dream gown

My courses are unique, we work on a real project.

We don't make samples.

You and I create a real gown, the gown you've always wanted, you learn new techniques and refresh old ones and I help you the whole way. 

At the end of the course you will have a lovely gown and will have improved your seamstress abilities. 

Classes

One-on-one or group sessions are available.

Classes are run throughout the year in my Blue Mountains studio.

Contact me at enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com

02 4701 9345

 

 

Re-enactment, living history and historical sewing

For me, making a gown from another time period is like time travel, I am taken back to a pre-industrial world, when a new gown couldn’t be bought in a shop, where creating something special was exciting and filled you with such anticipation, where you spent time on the embroidery and beading and couldn’t wait to finish your creation and wear it to the ball.

I use historical construction methods and my 21^st century sewing machine. I use hand stitching that is period correct on the outside of the gown, combining the best aspects of past and present. It’s immensely satisfying.

I am a member Society of Creative Anachronists, a worldwide medieval reenactment group and create historical garb in the style of a particular period between 650 AD (Vikings) to 1650 AD (Anne Boleyn).

I dress up in other time periods as well: 

• Regency (Pride and Prejudice), 
• American Civil War (Scarlet O’Hara), 
• Suffragettes (Emily Pankhurst), 
• Bloomers (Amelia Bloomer), 
• SteamPunk, 
• Tweed Rides and
• other cosplay events.

I love vintage fashion, particularly early 20^th century, ‘20’s, ‘30’s, ‘40's but originals are often too delicate or too small or too expensive, so I recreate outfits from original patterns of the times.

Create your special gown with me

You and I will work together to create your gown, you will gain confidence in your skills and creativity, learn new skills and refresh old ones and teach me as well.

In my Blue Mountains studio or in your home, together we will stitch up a gown. 

In the style you want.

From any period of fashion or cosplay.

Medieval to Renaissance, Regency to Victorian crinolines and bloomers, Edwardian to Flapper, 40's austerity to 50's extravagance, 60's mods to contemporary couture and everything in-between.

A gown that fits you perfectly.

That you make yourself, with me guiding you through the whole process, regardless of your sewing skills.

Classes

One-on-one or group sessions are available.

Classes are run throughout the year in my Blue Mountains studio.

Contact me at enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com

02 4701 9345