Volunteer Workshops 2024-2025

 

October 2024

 

Consultations and Project Catch-up Session for Men and Women

Sunday, October 27, 2024
Major John Buttrick House (parking at 174 Liberty St. Concord)
10am-4pm

Did you take a workshop last year and still need to finish your project? Do you have questions about construction, materials or fit? Do you need advice on how to upgrade your impression to qualify for Battle Road? Come on by! Henry Cooke and other knowledgeable people will be on hand to help! Even if you just want to do some sewing in good company, the door is open! To register, email Jim Hollister e-mail us
 

NOVEMBER 2024

 

Women's Mitts with Vicki Embrey

Sunday, November 3, 2024
Major John Buttrick House (parking at 174 Liberty St. Concord)
10am - 3pm.

In this class, instructor, Vicki Lynn Embrey, co-founder of the Heritage Sewing and Skill Building Group, will show the different types of mitts worn by 18th century women of all social classes. Participants will construct a basic pair of unlined mitts out of linen (for summer) or wool flannel (for winter). A discussion on making leather mitts will also be included. Instructor will have sample mitts to try on for fitting purposes. Pattern will be emailed prior to the workshop. To register, email Jim Hollister e-mail us

Materials

  • ¾ yard linen for summer mitts or ¾ yard wool flannel for winter mitts. Winter mitts are made out of a fulled wool to avoid raveling. Please avoid using stuff or worsted. Shift weight linen is appropriate for summer mitts.

  • Small scraps of silk taffeta (approximately two 4 inch squares) for the lining on the mitts tip. Linen mitts may have self fabric lining (particularly if they are white). If you wish to line your wool mitts, you will need 1/2 yard of silk taffeta.

  • Thread to match outer fabric: linen for linen mitts, silk for wool mitts

  • Basic sewing supplies: needles (also embroidery needles if adding embroidery), pins, shears, thread snips, measuring gauge, pencil/pen for tracing pattern

  • Pattern tracing cloth is helpful—instructor will have this available for purchase

Note: Instructor will provide silk embroidery floss for those who may wish to add embroidery to their mitts.

 

DECEMBER 2024

 

New England Militia Soft-Style Cartridge Pouches with Roy Najecki

Saturday, December 7, 2024
Major John Buttrick House (parking at 174 Liberty St. Concord)
10am - 4pm.

The Battle Road Standards require “New England style soft cartridge pouches in black or fair leather with 19-round cartridge blocks, narrow (~ 2” wide) black or buff leather straps, or linen webbing shoulder straps.” Starting in 2024, the soft cartridge pouches with 24 holes will be unacceptable. Do not despair! Cartridge pouches are very easy to make, particularly under the instruction of an expert like Roy Najecki!

Roy will supply the leather and pre-drilled blocks. Cost for the materials is $95.00. Please pay Roy directly at the workshop

To register, email Jim Hollister e-mail us

Consultations and Project Catch-up Session for Men and Women

Saturday, December 7, 2024
Major John Buttrick House (parking at 174 Liberty St. Concord)
10am-4pm

Did you take a workshop last year and still need to finish your project? Do you have questions about construction, materials or fit? Do you need advice on how to upgrade your impression to qualify for Battle Road? Come on by! Henry Cooke and other knowledgeable people will be on hand to help! Even if you just want to do some sewing in good company, the door is open! To register, email Jim Hollister e-mail us

 

JANUARY 2025

 

Whaddya Need? A Multi-garment Workshop with Henry Cooke

Saturday and Sunday, January 11 and 12, 2025
Major John Buttrick House (parking at 174 Liberty St. Concord)
10am-4pm

Do you need a new pair of breeches, a coat or waistcoat? Let us know! Henry Cooke will be showing off his multitasking skills to help participants with these various projects. To register, email Jim Hollister e-mail us

Women's Bonnets with Vicki Embrey

Saturday January 11, 2025
Major John Buttrick House (parking at 174 Liberty St. Concord)
10am-3pm

Participants will view research on bonnets and construct a silk bonnet. They will also look at the variety of trims seen in period images. They will have a choice of several different styles and will be able to try on a variety of bonnets to help them choose. Instructor will provide varnished chip board for the bonnet brim and narrow tape for the drawstring. A tiled pattern will be emailed to participants prior to the workshop for preparation.
Materials Fee: $10 (payable to Vicki directly at the workshop)
Materials needed:Basic sewing supplies:
Shears
Thread snips (optional)
Pins
Preferred needles
Measuring gauge
Awl
bodkin
Bone folder or seam presser
Materials needed: For bonnet:
¾ yard silk taffeta (1 yard is recommended so that you can make self fabric trim)
Silk thread to match taffeta (though all purpose cotton quilting thread is an acceptable substitute)
Scissors that can cut cardboard
halk marker that will show on your fabric
Pencil or pen
To register email Jim Hollister e-mail us

Hats for a Lady with Vicki Embrey
Sunday January 12, 2025
Major John Buttrick House (parking at 174 Liberty St. Concord)
10am-3pm

Learn about late 18th century ladies' hats. In this 3 hour workshop, participants will view period ads, images and extant examples of ladies' hats worn in the 2nd half of the 18th century. Participants will learn how to bind a straw hat blank with silk ribbon, attach ties and a variety of trim styles. Instructor will provide silk fabric strips to practice making different trims for reference. Instructions for covering a hat be given out for home use.
Materials Fee: $10 (payable directly to Vicki Embrey at the workshop)
Materials needed: Basic sewing supplies
Shears
Thread snips (optional)
Pins
Preferred needles (milliners needles can also be helpful)
Measuring gauge
Measuring tape
Bone folder or seam presser
Materials for hat:
A braided straw flat hat blank with a diameter of 13 – 15 inches. You can find larger ones for sale but they were not common in the American colonies in the 18th century.
Silk ribbon 1” – 2” wide. See below for yardage amounts.
Silk thread to match ribbon
Ribbon Yardage:
1 ¼ - 1 ½ yards of 1 – 1 ½ inch ribbon for ties for your hat
For ruched/pleated/serpentine trims: 3 times the measured circumference of the crown
If you just intend to bind your brim, measure the circumference and add a few inches for safety. I would recommend 1 – 1 ½ inch ribbon for binding.

Breeches and Woolen Trousers with Henry Cooke (or other garments if needed)

Saturday and Sunday, January 25 and 26, 2025
Major John Buttrick House (parking at 174 Liberty St. Concord)
10am-4pm

Do you need a new pair of breeches or woolen trousers? Do you need a coat or waistcoat? Let us know! Henry Cooke will be showing off his multitasking skills to help participants with these various projects. To register, email Jim Hollister e-mail us
 

FEBRUARY 2025

 

Crunch Time! Consultations and Project Catch-up Session for Men and Women

Saturday and Sunday, February 1 and 2, 2025
Major John Buttrick House (parking at 174 Liberty St. Concord)
10am-4pm

Did you take a workshop last year and still need to finish your project? Do you have questions about construction, materials or fit? Do you need advice on how to upgrade your impression to qualify for Battle Road? Come on by! Henry Cooke and other knowledgeable people will be on hand to help! Even if you just want to do some sewing in good company, the door is open! To register, email Jim Hollister e-mail us

"The Hive" Living History Symposium

Saturday, February 8 and Sunday, February 9, 2025
At the Concord Armory, 91 Everett St. Concord MA
9:30 am - 4:30 p.m.

The Hive is a two-day history symposium geared towards (but not restricted to) our community of living history volunteers to learn about various aspects of the American Revolution,18th century life and material culture. The Hive is co-sponsored by The Friends of Minute Man National Park, Revolution 250, Freedom's Way National Heritage Area and the Massachusetts Army National Guard. Learn more!

Last Chance! Consultations and Project Catch-up Session for Men and Women

Saturday and Sunday, February 15 and 16, 2025
Major John Buttrick House (parking at 174 Liberty St. Concord)
10am-4pm

Did you take a workshop last year and still need to finish your project? Do you have questions about construction, materials or fit? Do you need advice on how to upgrade your impression to qualify for Battle Road? Come on by! Henry Cooke and other knowledgeable people will be on hand to help! Even if you just want to do some sewing in good company, the door is open! To register, email Jim Hollister e-mail us



Last updated: November 8, 2024

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Mailing Address:

North Bridge / Park Headquarters
174 Liberty St.

Concord, MA 01742

Phone:

978 369-6993

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