“Very much the taste and various are the makes”: The 18th Century Polonaise


An In-Person Masterclass
Friday, April 11- Sunday afternoon, April 13th

Pre-Approval is open now. Registration opens Wednesday, January 21st by application only

“Long Polonese gowns over puckered satin coats, trimming quite round the gown and coat, with buttons and loops,
jacket sleeves half down the arm. Short Polonaise, with long sleeves.”
The Lady’s Magazine 1781

The Polonaise is a striking garment, peculiar to a narrow slice of time lasting only from the middle of the 1770s to the middle of the 1780s. Constructed in four sections with its back “tailored” like a jacket, the front of the polonaise is cut to flare loosely away over a fitted bodice or waistcoat.  The skirts of the polonaise are gathered up or left loose, depending on both length and personal preference.  This style may have elbow length or long sleeves.  It may also have a collar around the neckline. 

This 3 day masterclass, 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, as well as an extant example in the Colonial Williamsburg Collection.

  • Examination of how basic lining shapes are modified to the cut and fit of a polonaise.

  • Participants working with a partner to fit their garment, using the methods of the 18th c. Mantua-Maker. 

  • Demonstration of all stitching & construction techniques needed to hand stitch and finish the garment. 

*Notes:

  • Due to time restraints, participants are required to bring with them previously cut and fit basic 18th century lining patterns in muslin for BOTH bodice & sleeve.  These pattern shapes can be from a previous Burnley & Trowbridge workshop on cutting shapes or copied from a pattern or garment that fits well.  These “shapes” will be adapted to fit the lining of a 1770-80s Long or Short Polonaise. 

  • Participants are required to wear a 1770s-80s pair of stays and hoops/false rumps. Participants will need 8-10 yds of fashion fabric for a polonaise gown or 6-8 yds the jacket length (including petticoat & trims), linen for lining, buttons, twist, etc. A full list of needed supplies will be included after registration. Please be prepared for “homework” on Friday and Saturday night!

  • This workshop is an ADVANCED PLUS LEVEL 4. Participants are expected to have extremely solid sewing skills and multiple experiences in cutting & fitting gowns in previous workshops.  As such, all those interested in this workshop must fill out the following questionnaire:  Pre-Approval Form.  We will then:

  • Contact you by email to let you know if you are pre-approved or not 

  • If approved a registration link will be sent to you before 12:30 pm EST on Wednesday, January 21st

Cost of this 3-day masterclass is $550

Class size will be limited to 8 Participants

Pre-Approval is open now. Registration opens Wednesday, January 21st by application only

*CANCELLATION POLICY

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.  In the event of the workshop being cancelled we are not responsible for any costs by the attendee for cancelled reservations.