Work Shirts for All

November 3-9, 2024 (Shaker Week)

Instructor Carol Colburn

Whether cooking, gardening, or blacksmithing, this shirt is for you. Inspired by 19th-century work shirts, this ‘back to the land” design combines comfort and personal expression with an economical, zero-waste approach to pattern making. Choose natural fabrics and, with step-by-step guidance, learn to adjust a pattern for both fit and function. Handwoven fabric is welcome. Beginners will gain new skills and experienced garment makers will learn advanced techniques. Students should have sewing machine experience. Look for full details on the John C Campbell Folk School web site. I look forward to seeing you in Brasstown, North Carolina!

Sew Your Own Scandinavian Work Shirt

Thursday December 5, 2024 to Monday, December 9th, 2024 9 - 5 each day

Instructors Carol Colburn and Caroline Feyling

The cut of these shirts has been tried and true for close to 200 years, designed for full-range movement for vigorous work such as blacksmithing, gardening, child care, fishing and forestry. You will be creating a shirt you will love to wear. You will be guided step by step, adjusting your pattern, marking, cutting, machine and hand sewing, and addint the finishing touches such as your choice of pocket design. These shirts are ideal for men, women and children with ten pattern sizes available for students to choose. See full details at the North House Folk School web site. See you in Grand Marais, Minnesota in December!

WOOL PULLOVER SHIRT: SEW YOUR OWN USING A WOOL BLANKET

2/17 - 2/19/2024

Carol Colburn and Martha Weitekamp, Instructors

Upcycle a warm well-loved or brand new wool blanket into a cozy winter shirt. In this class, you will learn why wool works so well and how to maximize its performance as clothing. Students will learn some basics of pattern making, instruction, and transferable skills to sew any garment. We’ll start by walking through the sequence for measuring and cutting flat textiles to fit the human form. Students will enjoy learning machine and hand stitching techniques as they construct their shirt. We’ll finish by embellishing the shirt with antler or stone buttons and leather trim or optional decorative woven bands. Students need to bring their own used or new wool blanket. This is a great opportunity to epicycle a blanket which may have worn spots as they can be hidden under a pocket or cut around. Different sizes of individuals need different sizes of blanket or sometimes two blankets. You will be able to correspond with the instructor before class about the pattern size you need and about your choice of blanket. Students should know how to operate a sewing machine.

Find registration information at North House Folk School, Grand Marais, Minnesota

WEAVE TO SEW: CUSTOM WOOL VEST

1/11 - 1/15/2024

Carol Colburn and Erin Endsley, Instructors. Design, weave, and sew your own custom handwoven vest. You’ll weave yardage for a vest using a basic twill structure and wool yarn. After weaving your yardage, you will gain experience fulling your wool cloth to create finished fabric for the vest construction, and learn skills for sewing with handwoven fabric. Waist-length music patterns for men and women will be fit and adjusted before weaving your yardage. Vest will be lined with cotton material purchased by the student. There will be numerous options for customizing your vest, including color choices and the addition of pockets, closures, or a back belt. Note that a $75 materials fee will be collected at the time of class, payable directly to the instructors. Students must have beginner level weaving and sewing experience and be able to warp a floor loom with minimal assistance.

See registration information at North House Folk School, Grand Marais, Minnesota

Work Shirts for All - John C. Campbell Folk School

November 3 - 9, 2024

Check with John C Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, North Carolina for registration information.

Whether cooking, gardening, blacksmithing, or camping this shirt will work for you. Inspired by 19th century work shirts and worn by men, women and children, this good ‘back to the land’ design combines comfort and personal expression with an economical zero waste approach to pattern making. Choose natural-fiber fabrics and with step-by-step sewing guidance, learn to adjust a pattern for both fit and function. Beginners will gain new skills, and experienced garment makers will learn advanced techniques. Students should have sewing machine knowledge and experience.. 

See examples of shirts and fabrics on this web site on the page of Heritage Work Shirts.