IN PERSON WORKSHOPS
- All of our in person workshop experiences take place 2.5 miles from downtown Williamsburg, Virginia.
- Workshops begin at 1:30 pm on Friday afternoon and conclude at 3:30 pm on the Sunday.
- Complimentary snacks on Friday and lunch buffet on both Saturday & Sunday.
- A confirmation package with directions, suggested lodging, and details will be sent to you upon acceptance of your registration.*
- Class size is limited to 12 Participants
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
How to Register:- Set an alarm for 5 minutes before the registration time opens.
- Make sure you are already logged in to your customer account and have your credit card information saved in your computer or easily accessible.
- At 12:30 pm EST exactly, refresh this page and registration link will be active. If link is not active, exit this page and go to previous page and then return back to this page.
- Click the registration link, add workshop to cart, proceed directly to check out, enter payment info and pay now.
- Please understand that our system does not hold an item in your cart through checkout and our workshops have extremely limited spaces. If a workshop sells out before you are able to register please email workshops@burnleyandtrowbridge.com to be added to a waitlist in case of any cancellations.
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with Melissa Mead
- Presentation of various trims in extant garments and portraiture, with discussion on construction and application.
- Instruction with hands-on practice for a wide variety of trim styles and techniques including ruching, puffs, pinked edgings, and fringes.
- Guidance on type and scale of trim based on the decade and style of your garment, including how to determine trim to garment ratios and figure out the amount of fabric or trim needed to embellish your garments.
- Assembly of a personal notebook of trim samples complete with numerous ideas for application.
Participants will need to bring a basic sewing kit. You are welcome to bring a garment in need of trim and images for any trims you would like help deciphering.
As this workshop is an Advanced Beginner Level 1, all participants should have experience making basic historical clothing using hand stitches. Please read more about our current Workshop Levels here.
Cost of this 2 1/2-day workshop is $325*
and includes most materials & supplies.
Class size is limited to 12 Participants
REGISTER HERE
"Mantelets, Muffs, & Bonnets"
with Christina Johnson
Friday afternoon, September 9th - Sunday, September 11th
As summer’s lease expires you might have winter’s chill on your mind. How best to fight the cold? Must you sacrifice function for fashion to stay warm in the winter months? Of course not! Turning our hands to the Winter Trade, this course will guide you through the process of making your own silk bonnet, muff, and mantelet.
Students in this 2 ½ day workshop led by Christina Johnson will:
- Discuss the timeline and evolution of styles and shapes of these three garments.
- Discuss the typical construction methods for assembling and setting each garment.
- Work with a partner to measure and draft one of each garment for themselves.
- Construct a mantelet, muff, and bonnet.
By the end of the weekend, participants will have begun the construction of their three garments and be armed with the knowledge of how to finish their suit of outerwear. Be prepared for some “homework” on both Friday and Saturday night.
This course is perfect for aspiring milliners at the intermediate level or above who would like to gain an understanding of the 18th century approach to the garments listed above while also adding a lovely suit of outerwear to their 18th century (or modern!) wardrobe.
Class size is limited to 12 Participants
(7 spaces remain)
REGISTER HERE
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with Brooke Welborn
Friday afternoon, September 30th - Sunday, October 2nd
Registration opens Wednesday, June 15th at 12:30 pm
The Redingote is one of several less formal garment styles that became fashionable in the 1780s and 90s. Inspired by elements of men's greatcoats, ladies riding habits and English gowns, the redingote is a long gown featuring cuffs, collars, long sleeves and a center front closing with rows of buttons.
This 2 ½ day workshop, led by Brooke Welborn, Mantua-maker, will include:
- An examination of images of this style of garment and the varieties of ways it can be finished.
- Examination of how basic shapes are modified to the cut and fit of a redingote.
- Demonstration of all stitching & construction techniques needed to hand stitch and finish the garment.
- Participants working with a partner to fit their garment using the methods of the 18th c. Mantua-Maker.
Due to time restraints, participants are required to bring with them previously cut and fit basic 18th century shapes in muslin for BOTH bodice & sleeves. These “shapes” can be from a previous Burnley & Trowbridge workshop on cutting shapes, gown, or jacket, or copied from a patterned garment that fits well. These “shapes” will then be adapted for the fit of a 1780-90s redingote.
By the end of the weekend participants will not only have their garments assembled and sleeves set, but they will have designed and begun the creation of the trims for their garments. Please be prepared for “homework” on both Friday and Saturday night!
As this workshop is an ADVANCED LEVEL 3, all participants are required to have solid hand sewing skills and experience in cutting & fitting to the body. Please read more about our current Workshop Levels here.
Cost of this 2 1/2-day workshop is $375*
and includes muslin
Class size is limited to 10 Participants
(2 spaces remain)
REGISTER HERE
"A Primer in 18th Century Fabrics"

"Creating a Supportive 16th century Underdress"
with Samantha Bullat
Friday Afternoon, February 24th - Sunday, February 26, 2023
Registration Opens Wedneday, November 9th at 12:30 pm
Before the advent of separate pairs of stays or corsets women wore supportive underdresses, often called kirtles, to give shape and form to their gowns. The kirtle bodices (upper bodies) were worn by women of all classes and created support through the use of layers of buckram and canvas rather than boning, which did not become common until the end of the 16th c. in elite fashion. Kirtles could lace up the front, sides, or back depending on the garment with which they were worn.
Join Samantha Bullat for this 2 1⁄2 day workshop where we will:
- Discuss and analyze the evolution of kirtles: who wore them, how were they worn, and who made them? This discussion will include factors such as socio-economic status, geography, etc.
- Learn how to draft the basic kirtle shapes and choose different types of inner layers for body type and social demographic.
- Work in pairs to measure, alter and fit a kirtle bodice shape.
Students will leave the workshop with a mostly completed kirtle bodice and the understanding of how to finish the bodice, then assemble and attach skirts.
Your kirtle will be fitted over an undergarment. A 16th c smock is highly preferred but a later shift or chemise is acceptable for the purposes of this course.
*Please read Level Requirements before registering
Because of the nature and enrollment limitation of our workshops, we regret that we are unable to give a full refund for a cancellation. If you cancel 30 or more days prior to the workshop, we will refund your fee less a $50 cancellation fee. If you cancel less than 30 days prior to the workshop, we will have to charge the full amount of the workshop unless we are able to fill your slot, in that event you will be charged only the $50 cancellation fee.