The Genteel Arts Academy was founded in 1988 to encourage interest in the clothing worn during the Civil War era; concentrating on historically accurate sewing techniques. The Academy offers a continuing series of lectures and hands-on seminars on all aspects of Civil War clothing and needlework. Students select from over 100 topics which are offered on a rotating schedule based on popularity.

While the majority of the classes are held in the Gettysburg area, classes can be scheduled in your area of the country. Please contact the Academy for further details concerning scheduling seminars and classes in your area.

THE GENTEEL ARTS ACADEMY

- OUR 21st YEAR -

P.O. Box # 3014
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 337-0283, evenings & weekends
FAX (717) 337-0314

For information email:  info<at>genteelarts.com

(IMPORTANT: Please be sure to replace the  <at>  with  @  in email addresses before sending.)

Proprietor: Carolann Schmitt

Business Manager: Don Schmitt

Member of the Costume Society of America

"The Genteel Arts Academy" & "The Ladies & Gentlemen of the 1860's Conference" are subsidiaries of Genteel Arts, LLC

Site revised June 30, 2009

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2009 WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS

The GENTEEL ARTS ACADEMY is pleased to announce its 2009 schedule of workshops and seminars on Victorian period clothing. Anyone interested in Victorian fashion, history, sewing or needlework will find these seminars very educational.

All hands-on classes include a review of the history of the garment and a study of specific design characteristics used during the period. Students then sew the garment using period fitting and construction techniques. A workbook including historical information, a suggested reading list and sewing instructions is included with the registration fee.

We suggest registering for workshops and seminars well in advance of the activity date as many fill up quickly.

Download the 2009 flyer in PDF format by clicking on this link:  
2009 Genteel Arts Academy Seminar Flyer - Adobe PDF format

(If you do not have an Adobe Acrobat reader, you may download one here free.)

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2009 Workshop & Seminar Schedule - Gettysburg Area

Become a Frequent Student and Earn a Discount on Future Classes.
Take five classes in a 12-month period and earn a $25.00 discount off your next class;
take seven classes and get $50.00 off; nine classes and get $75.00 off.
Discounts, when awarded, must be used within the following twelve months.

Yoked Bodice – Looking for a different style for your next dress? Consider making a bodice with a yoke. We will use a variety of original photographs and fashion engravings for inspiration as you select a style that will be flattering to your figure. Prerequisites: Students must have a pattern or toile that has already been custom fitted; the class schedule permits fine-tuning of the fit but not a full custom-fitting session. Students should also have attended one of our Fitted Bodice classes or be experienced in period bodice construction techniques, including front closures and making and attaching piping. January 10-11, 2009. $109.00 plus materials.

Sleeves, Sleeves and More Sleeves – Sleeves on mid-19^th century dresses come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes – long, short, open, closed, narrow, wide, pagoda, coat, bishop, tight. They are accented with jockeys, epaulettes, straps, cuffs, pleats, puffs, and ruching. We will discuss the different styles and shapes as we view dozens of original photographs and images of original garments. Students will learn how to alter basic sleeve patterns for fit and the for fashion. You may make sleeves for a particular garment, or create a variety of samples for future reference. Intermediate sewing skills are required. March 21-22, 2009. $109.00 plus materials.

Corset - Can’t find a ready-made corset that fits?  Have a special fitting problem that a mail-order made-to-measure corset hasn’t resolved? A corset that has been custom-fitted to your body instead of a measurement chart can be comfortably worn all day, will last for many years, and is essential in achieving the period silhouette. After individual fittings, students will use appropriate materials and period sewing techniques to construct their corset. You will leave the class with a finished garment. A kit containing fabric and all necessary notions will be provided. Friday afternoon and evening, all day Saturday and Sunday, June 19-21, 2009. $159.00 plus materials.

Sewing Camp: From Waist to Toes - Enjoy a week in Gettysburg creating several garments for your period wardrobe - with a few days off for fun! The 2009 camp will focus on foundations from your waist to your toes. Create a covered crinoline with slight elliptical shaping. Need new petticoats? Make white petticoats for under and/or over your crinoline; accent them with tucks and edging. Keep warm this winter with a wool petticoat embellished with embroidery. Raise your skirts and show off your new patterned underskirt or work petticoat. You may make as many petticoats as time permits. Do your stockings sag? Are your feet cold? Make a pair of custom-fitted stockings from cotton knit for summer, wool knit for winter. Add embroidered clockwork if you wish. Show off your stockings with new slippers for dancing or indoor wear.  July 25-August 2, 2009. $335.00 (counts as three classes for frequent student discount), plus materials.

Basque Bodice – A basque is a bodice that extends below the waist. Some versions create this effect with a separate piece of fabric attached at the waistline. This version, based on several original garments, is continuous from neckline to hem; it does not have a seam at the waistline. The silhouette is created with open darts and shaped seams. Make yours in silk, lightweight wool or printed cotton. Prerequisites: Students must have a pattern or toile that has already been custom fitted; the class schedule permits fine-tuning of the fit but not a full custom-fitting session. Students should also have attended one of our Fitted Bodice classes or be experienced in period bodice construction techniques, including front closures and making and attaching piping. August 15-16, 2009. $109.00 plus materials.

Drawn Bonnet - Enhance your wardrobe with a new bonnet! Learn how to cover a pre-made wire or buckram frame with shirred fabric ‘drawn’ over canes. Learn how to vary the placement of the canes and add tucks to create different styles. Add embellishments and ribbons of your choice. Students may select from several different frame styles – some of which have not been used in previous bonnet classes – suitable for impressions between 1850 and 1865. September 19-20, 2009. $109.00 plus materials.

Gentleman’s Dressing Gown – Would you like the perfect Christmas gift for your gentleman? Make him a reproduction dressing gown. Dressing gowns were traditionally made from brightly-colored printed fabrics with a different brightly-colored printed lining. The lapels, cuffs and pocket flaps may be made from a solid covered fabric or a third printed fabric. These garments are not boring! Students will have the opportunity to examine a selection of original dressing gowns in the instructor’s collection. Intermediate sewing skills are required. October 24-25, 2009. $109.00 plus materials.

Ball Gown Bodice – Just in time for Remembrance Day, holiday parties, and the winter ball season. Using period illustrations and images of original garments, we will discuss the characteristics of ball gowns worn c.1855-1865 and appropriate fabrics and trimmings. Participants will make a muslin that will be custom-fitted; they will then use this muslin as a pattern to make their bodice using period construction techniques. Period sewing skills are required. November 7-8, 2009. $109.00 plus materials.

Class and Seminar Location

All classes and seminars are held in the historic Gettysburg area. Class and seminar locations are noted via confirmation letter mailed prior to each activity. We recommend making reservations at any hotel, motel or bed & breakfast in or near Gettysburg in advance of the activity. Feel free to contact us for suggestions.

Registration Information

Please contact the Academy via phone, FAX or email and request a flyer containing complete class and registration information. Gift certificates are available! Payment can be by check, money order, VISA and MasterCard. Genteel Arts Academy reserves the right to cancel any class due to insufficient enrollment. Registration fees for any class cancelled by the Academy will be refunded in full.

Download the 2009 flyer in PDF format by clicking on this link:  
2009 Genteel Arts Academy Seminar Flyer - Adobe PDF format

(If you do not have an Adobe Acrobat reader, you may download one here free.)

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