In-Person SACKBACK GOWN WORKSHOP - September 19-21, 2025
This in-person workshop teaches how to make your own 18th century Sackback Gown — either the long robe a la Française or the short pet en l’air — using cutting, fitting and construction techniques as seen in surviving gowns.
This 3-day workshop is suitable for those new to 18th century gownmaking. We will focus on how to create the iconic pleat structures on the back of the gown. We will accordingly make the gown bodice fronts in the straightforward close-breasted (centre-front closing) style of the late 1770s and 1780s.
Students who have previous experience with pleating the back of a sackback gown in a period configuration will benefit from this opportunity for more hands-on practice supported by Rebecca’s instruction and may wish to explore stomacher-front styles from earlier in the 18th century.
Instructor: Rebecca Olds
Location: Bognor Regis, West Sussex, United Kingdom.
Cost: £300 per person.
Class size: 8 people maximum.
Experience level: No previous gownmaking experience required but students should be confident with basic hand-stitching especially running stitch, backstitch and spaced back-stitch.
If the workshop sells out, please CONTACT US asking to be put on a waiting list.
If there is sufficient demand, this workshop will be run again in late October/early November 2025.
Requirements
For this workshop, you will need to already have:
a shift (a Regency-style shift will be fine),
18th century stays that fit you well, giving the desired shape and support, and
bodice lining shapes cut in the period manner. These can be -
- shapes that Rebecca has cut for you — see Special Offer below,
- shapes cut on you in a workshop taught by Brooke Welborn, or
- shapes from the bodice lining of a period gown that fits you well, e.g. adjusted from a Scroop or Larkin & Smith 18th century gown pattern.
SPECIAL OFFER
50% discount on shapes cut by Rebecca before your workshop!
Just book the workshop you want, then contact Rebecca saying you would like to book for shapes as well – we’ll get you sorted.
This offer will end August 31, to ensure enough time to schedule this service before your workshop.
You can see details about this service on our website HERE. Please do not book this until your workshop space has been confirmed and you have received a 50% discount code for check-out.
After you have booked your workshop(s), you will receive a further email with full details including
· workshop location and parking in the area
· equipment and amenities being provided
· a list of what you will need to bring in terms of sewing tools, notions, etc.
· fabric recommendations and yardage requirements.
We will also ask you to complete a short questionnaire about your expectations for the workshop and for us to check that you have prepared everything outlined above for you to make the most of this workshop experience.
We can also provide information on public transport links and local accommodation options if required.
CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS:
Cancellations up to 1 month before your workshop will be refunded, minus a £50 admin fee. No refund is possible for cancellations within 1 month of the workshop start date, unless you are able to find someone else to take your slot. If the workshop is cancelled by your instructor/Timesmith Dress History, your registration will be refunded in full but we are not responsible for any consequential expenses you may have incurred e.g. for travel/accommodation.
This in-person workshop teaches how to make your own 18th century Sackback Gown — either the long robe a la Française or the short pet en l’air — using cutting, fitting and construction techniques as seen in surviving gowns.
This 3-day workshop is suitable for those new to 18th century gownmaking. We will focus on how to create the iconic pleat structures on the back of the gown. We will accordingly make the gown bodice fronts in the straightforward close-breasted (centre-front closing) style of the late 1770s and 1780s.
Students who have previous experience with pleating the back of a sackback gown in a period configuration will benefit from this opportunity for more hands-on practice supported by Rebecca’s instruction and may wish to explore stomacher-front styles from earlier in the 18th century.
Instructor: Rebecca Olds
Location: Bognor Regis, West Sussex, United Kingdom.
Cost: £300 per person.
Class size: 8 people maximum.
Experience level: No previous gownmaking experience required but students should be confident with basic hand-stitching especially running stitch, backstitch and spaced back-stitch.
If the workshop sells out, please CONTACT US asking to be put on a waiting list.
If there is sufficient demand, this workshop will be run again in late October/early November 2025.
Requirements
For this workshop, you will need to already have:
a shift (a Regency-style shift will be fine),
18th century stays that fit you well, giving the desired shape and support, and
bodice lining shapes cut in the period manner. These can be -
- shapes that Rebecca has cut for you — see Special Offer below,
- shapes cut on you in a workshop taught by Brooke Welborn, or
- shapes from the bodice lining of a period gown that fits you well, e.g. adjusted from a Scroop or Larkin & Smith 18th century gown pattern.
SPECIAL OFFER
50% discount on shapes cut by Rebecca before your workshop!
Just book the workshop you want, then contact Rebecca saying you would like to book for shapes as well – we’ll get you sorted.
This offer will end August 31, to ensure enough time to schedule this service before your workshop.
You can see details about this service on our website HERE. Please do not book this until your workshop space has been confirmed and you have received a 50% discount code for check-out.
After you have booked your workshop(s), you will receive a further email with full details including
· workshop location and parking in the area
· equipment and amenities being provided
· a list of what you will need to bring in terms of sewing tools, notions, etc.
· fabric recommendations and yardage requirements.
We will also ask you to complete a short questionnaire about your expectations for the workshop and for us to check that you have prepared everything outlined above for you to make the most of this workshop experience.
We can also provide information on public transport links and local accommodation options if required.
CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS:
Cancellations up to 1 month before your workshop will be refunded, minus a £50 admin fee. No refund is possible for cancellations within 1 month of the workshop start date, unless you are able to find someone else to take your slot. If the workshop is cancelled by your instructor/Timesmith Dress History, your registration will be refunded in full but we are not responsible for any consequential expenses you may have incurred e.g. for travel/accommodation.
This in-person workshop teaches how to make your own 18th century Sackback Gown — either the long robe a la Française or the short pet en l’air — using cutting, fitting and construction techniques as seen in surviving gowns.
This 3-day workshop is suitable for those new to 18th century gownmaking. We will focus on how to create the iconic pleat structures on the back of the gown. We will accordingly make the gown bodice fronts in the straightforward close-breasted (centre-front closing) style of the late 1770s and 1780s.
Students who have previous experience with pleating the back of a sackback gown in a period configuration will benefit from this opportunity for more hands-on practice supported by Rebecca’s instruction and may wish to explore stomacher-front styles from earlier in the 18th century.
Instructor: Rebecca Olds
Location: Bognor Regis, West Sussex, United Kingdom.
Cost: £300 per person.
Class size: 8 people maximum.
Experience level: No previous gownmaking experience required but students should be confident with basic hand-stitching especially running stitch, backstitch and spaced back-stitch.
If the workshop sells out, please CONTACT US asking to be put on a waiting list.
If there is sufficient demand, this workshop will be run again in late October/early November 2025.
Requirements
For this workshop, you will need to already have:
a shift (a Regency-style shift will be fine),
18th century stays that fit you well, giving the desired shape and support, and
bodice lining shapes cut in the period manner. These can be -
- shapes that Rebecca has cut for you — see Special Offer below,
- shapes cut on you in a workshop taught by Brooke Welborn, or
- shapes from the bodice lining of a period gown that fits you well, e.g. adjusted from a Scroop or Larkin & Smith 18th century gown pattern.
SPECIAL OFFER
50% discount on shapes cut by Rebecca before your workshop!
Just book the workshop you want, then contact Rebecca saying you would like to book for shapes as well – we’ll get you sorted.
This offer will end August 31, to ensure enough time to schedule this service before your workshop.
You can see details about this service on our website HERE. Please do not book this until your workshop space has been confirmed and you have received a 50% discount code for check-out.
After you have booked your workshop(s), you will receive a further email with full details including
· workshop location and parking in the area
· equipment and amenities being provided
· a list of what you will need to bring in terms of sewing tools, notions, etc.
· fabric recommendations and yardage requirements.
We will also ask you to complete a short questionnaire about your expectations for the workshop and for us to check that you have prepared everything outlined above for you to make the most of this workshop experience.
We can also provide information on public transport links and local accommodation options if required.
CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS:
Cancellations up to 1 month before your workshop will be refunded, minus a £50 admin fee. No refund is possible for cancellations within 1 month of the workshop start date, unless you are able to find someone else to take your slot. If the workshop is cancelled by your instructor/Timesmith Dress History, your registration will be refunded in full but we are not responsible for any consequential expenses you may have incurred e.g. for travel/accommodation.
