Description
This course will introduce students to the history, materials, cut and construction of farthingales — structured petticoats stiffened with a variety of applied hoops which gave the outer petticoat or the skirt of a gown a stable support.
The course will explore stiffening methods using baleen and introduce ‘ropes of bents’ technique — a way for stiffening hoop-petticoats, and other structured items, with grasses. This technique was in common use from 16th century onwards, yet it is often only mentioned in written historical sources. Recent discovery of ropes of bents on some extant garments allowed us to study and revive this technique.
We will look at surviving garments from our collection, reconstructions and photographs of other objects relevant to farthingales. The students will produce samples in modern versions of appropriate materials.
TUTOR – Paweł Tomaszewski
1-Day Course – SUNDAY 12th OCTOBER 2025
£125 full price / £85 concession price
10am to 6pm – with a vegetarian lunch and drinks included.
The course will take place at The School of Historical Dress, 52 Lambeth Road, London, SE1 7PP.
Places are non-refundable unless we can re-sell your place. This is the only way we can keep our class sizes small to give each student enough tuition (6 to 8 students per class).
