I am a teacher by trade and enjoy teaching in my hobbies as well. These are some of the classes that I have taught and I am willing to teach again. I love to travel, by the way. Invite me to teach at your event!
Period Dress
Make Me Italiana: Women's Clothing 1450-1550
The period from 1494 to 1548 referred to here as the Attraversare, spans the time most historians refer to as the Italian Wars and highlights a change in Italian culture. This series of wars with its fluctuating alliances began with the French invasion of the Italian Peninsula in 1494 and would end the independence of the city-states. Before the Italian Wars, clothing styles were rather stagnant. The exposure to fresh ideas that these wars provided also created a spirit of innovation that would typify the clothing of the Italian Peninsula from this time forward.
The period from 1494 to 1548 referred to here as the Attraversare, spans the time most historians refer to as the Italian Wars and highlights a change in Italian culture. This series of wars with its fluctuating alliances began with the French invasion of the Italian Peninsula in 1494 and would end the independence of the city-states. Before the Italian Wars, clothing styles were rather stagnant. The exposure to fresh ideas that these wars provided also created a spirit of innovation that would typify the clothing of the Italian Peninsula from this time forward.
Taught September 2009; August 2011.
Identifying Sartorial Elements Through Art--Finding Your Italian: Triangulation is a technique developed by Stella Mary Newton that has been widely accepted by museum curators as a method of sartorial identification as well as a method for dating portraiture and identifying artists. This technique will be discussed with a demonstration of the technique to identify sartorial elements of Italian clothing.
Taught June 2014; September 2014.
Head to Toe Italian: Develop an understanding of the accessories that will bring your Italian persona presence to the next level.
Taught July 2014
From Portrait to Pattern
I found the perfect portrait and I want to look like that, but how do I do that? Learn the steps for analyzing a portrait and turning what you see into a pattern. Follow along with a demonstration of analyzing lines, identifying body proportions and laying out the pattern to measure. this is an advanced concept class, a rudimentary understanding of pattern construction is necessary. Handout available.
I found the perfect portrait and I want to look like that, but how do I do that? Learn the steps for analyzing a portrait and turning what you see into a pattern. Follow along with a demonstration of analyzing lines, identifying body proportions and laying out the pattern to measure. this is an advanced concept class, a rudimentary understanding of pattern construction is necessary. Handout available.
Taught August 2015
Drafting the 1490 Italian Renaissance Sleeve
Description Pending
Description Pending
Taught January 2015.
Accessories
Italian Jewelry
Jewelry is culturally, financially, and availability defined, but how should one adorn to present the Italian figura. An exploration of portraiture, and extant museum holdings will be presented with modern recreations. Feel free to bring your jewelry box for comparisons.
Jewelry is culturally, financially, and availability defined, but how should one adorn to present the Italian figura. An exploration of portraiture, and extant museum holdings will be presented with modern recreations. Feel free to bring your jewelry box for comparisons.
Taught August 2011; August 2013.
Italian Hanging Ornaments
An exploration of the accessories held in hand that are often attached about the belt of the well dressed Italian lady.
An exploration of the accessories held in hand that are often attached about the belt of the well dressed Italian lady.
Taught August 2011; August 2013.
The Cintura (Belt)
During the Renaissance, accessories denoted relationship status, economic status, and nobility. The shape, configuration, and method of wearing or displaying an accessory could denote, purpose, disposition, or status. This class will focus on the different types of cintura (belts).
During the Renaissance, accessories denoted relationship status, economic status, and nobility. The shape, configuration, and method of wearing or displaying an accessory could denote, purpose, disposition, or status. This class will focus on the different types of cintura (belts).
Taught August 2013.
Italian Fans
While Italian portraiture is riddled with feather wanded fans; several fan styles and types were popular in the Italian peninsula. In modern society, we see the fan as an item of comfort. During the Renaissance, accessories denoted relationship status, economic status, and nobility. The shape, configuration, and method of wearing or displaying an accessory could denote, purpose, disposition, or status. This class will focus on the different types of fans used by Italians during the Renaissance. An exploration of fans; extant examples and recreated examples will be shared.
While Italian portraiture is riddled with feather wanded fans; several fan styles and types were popular in the Italian peninsula. In modern society, we see the fan as an item of comfort. During the Renaissance, accessories denoted relationship status, economic status, and nobility. The shape, configuration, and method of wearing or displaying an accessory could denote, purpose, disposition, or status. This class will focus on the different types of fans used by Italians during the Renaissance. An exploration of fans; extant examples and recreated examples will be shared.
Taught August 2013.
Period Pouch and the Persona
In modern society, we see the bag, purse, or pouch as a carry-all for our personal items. In the Middles Ages, pouches were not just a carry-all or a fashion statement. The shape, configuration, and method of wearing a style of pouch could denote, purpose, disposition, or status. The focus is identifying the correct pouch to further a more period presence.
In modern society, we see the bag, purse, or pouch as a carry-all for our personal items. In the Middles Ages, pouches were not just a carry-all or a fashion statement. The shape, configuration, and method of wearing a style of pouch could denote, purpose, disposition, or status. The focus is identifying the correct pouch to further a more period presence.
Taught May 2009; June 2012; June 2013; September 2014.
Accessories--Hats and Headwear
The Well-Dressed Head of the Italian Lady
There were many styles of headwear available to the Italian noblewoman. A chronological overview of the styles of the period will be given and a discussion of the factors to be considered when choosing what style is most appropriate will be made.
Examples from the teacher’s wardrobe will be displayed and tips on getting started making these headdresses as well.
There were many styles of headwear available to the Italian noblewoman. A chronological overview of the styles of the period will be given and a discussion of the factors to be considered when choosing what style is most appropriate will be made.
Examples from the teacher’s wardrobe will be displayed and tips on getting started making these headdresses as well.
Taught August 2011; June 2013; August 2013.
Basics of Hat Making
Learn some basic processes of hat making in order to create your own hats. Class will begin with hat analysis and an overview of the basic supplies of hat making. A demonstration of creating a buckram hat form will be given.
In addition, I have eight hat pre-made buckram forms, 4 toques (modernly, pill box shape) and 4 Italian Structured headpieces, with some fabric and ornaments for a hands-on element. [This is where the fee comes into play, otherwise free.]
Please note: While you may be new to hat making, a high level of sewing skill, specifically needle control, is needed for the hands-on portion of this class.
Outline:
I. Hat analysis
II. Suggested equipment
III. How to create a buckram form
IV. Covering and decorating a form
V. Ornamentation; How fascinating!
VI. Inserting a lining
VII. Shopping for millinery supplies
VIII. Where to learn?
Learn some basic processes of hat making in order to create your own hats. Class will begin with hat analysis and an overview of the basic supplies of hat making. A demonstration of creating a buckram hat form will be given.
In addition, I have eight hat pre-made buckram forms, 4 toques (modernly, pill box shape) and 4 Italian Structured headpieces, with some fabric and ornaments for a hands-on element. [This is where the fee comes into play, otherwise free.]
Please note: While you may be new to hat making, a high level of sewing skill, specifically needle control, is needed for the hands-on portion of this class.
Outline:
I. Hat analysis
II. Suggested equipment
III. How to create a buckram form
IV. Covering and decorating a form
V. Ornamentation; How fascinating!
VI. Inserting a lining
VII. Shopping for millinery supplies
VIII. Where to learn?
Taught June 2014
Pill Box Hat or Cap
The pillbox hat or cap shows up in many different pre-1600 cultures including Turkey, Italy, England, Greece, and Russia. It was worn by both men and women.
Please bring the following supplies: needle, thread, scissors, a piece of fashion fabric at least 18" by 22" and the same amount of lining, fleece or felt or wool roving to pad the hat (any color).
Teacher will have a variety of stiffeners, including buckram, plastic canvas and paper for students to purchase if they wish.
The pillbox hat or cap shows up in many different pre-1600 cultures including Turkey, Italy, England, Greece, and Russia. It was worn by both men and women.
Please bring the following supplies: needle, thread, scissors, a piece of fashion fabric at least 18" by 22" and the same amount of lining, fleece or felt or wool roving to pad the hat (any color).
Teacher will have a variety of stiffeners, including buckram, plastic canvas and paper for students to purchase if they wish.
Make Your Own Hunting Hat (Bycocket)
Description Pending
Description Pending
Taught June 2015.
Coazzone Explained
Portraits abound with examples of this mysterious headdress. Learn a variety of construction methods for this beautiful headdress. The appropriate headdress takes your display to the next level. Leave with handout of example patterns and how-to's for ornamenting.
Portraits abound with examples of this mysterious headdress. Learn a variety of construction methods for this beautiful headdress. The appropriate headdress takes your display to the next level. Leave with handout of example patterns and how-to's for ornamenting.
Taught August 2015
Sewing Techniques
Pearl Embroidery
Description Pending
Description Pending
Taught June 2012.