- Bridal Originals, Accessories & Period Costume Workshops

These workshops will all be taught by Jema personally, giving all participants a unique opportunity to develop their creative skills as well as gaining an insight into the world of a professional designer. To stay up-to-date on our workshops, please join our Facebook Page. All workshops are taught from the Nottingham Studio and run from 10am till 5pm with an hour for lunch unless otherwise stated.

These courses all presuppose a reasonable level of manual dexterity and previous craft experience though not necessarily in the course subject. Feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss whether or not a particular course is suitable for your skills!

Each day workshop needs a minimum of 3 participants to run with a maximum of 6. Each weekend workshop has a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4.

As a rough guide...

* No previous experience needed
** Some basic sewing machine experience useful
*** Good machine skills essential

- Workshops for 2011-2012

• Beginners Victorian Corsets ***

  Saturday 17th March 2012
  &
  Sunday 18th March 2012

Make a waist reducing corset to fit you exactly from an authentic pattern. On this two day course you will learn how to create a pattern from your exact measurements, how to encase metal bones and insert a proper front fastening busk. Please note this is an authentic underwear corset designed to be worn with a chemise, it does not completely cover the bust like a boned bodice. Finish your lovely corset with lace, ribbon, binding or a rosette.

All materials, bones and busks are included.

£180

• Intermediate Victorian Corsets ***

Saturday 23rd June 2012
&
Sunday 24th June 2012

For those who have been on the beginners corset course, take your skills one step further and create a late Victorian hip bucket style corset to fit you exactly from an authentic pattern. This pattern is taken from a museum piece and will be adjusted to fit you perfectly. It is a single layered corset, which we will create in coutil. You will learn how to create separate bone channels and attach a waist ribbon stay too. Please note this is an authentic underwear corset designed to be worn with a chemise, it does not completely cover the bust like a boned bodice.

All materials, bones and busks are included.

£180

• Tophats and Fascinators

Saturday 14th April 2012

Learn all the traditional millinery skills you need to make a gorgeous fabric covered fascinator, top hat or tricorn. We will create everything from scratch, using buckram, mull, glue, wire and elastic! We’ll also be covering how to make your own designs and patterns. Feel free to bring your own fabric (not stretch) or rummage through my extensive collection of fabulous silks and velvets for inspiration!

£80

• Fantasy Tiaras *

Sunday 15th April 2012

Experiment with some amazing and unusual new materials on this one day course, learn to make irridescent fairy wing components and fantastical transluscent resin shapes, beautiful fabric flowers and polymer components. This workshop is a must for anyone bored of making the same old beads and wire headdresses, a day to inspire the most jaded of designers and costume makers.

Basic materials of wire and the "new materials" provided, but students are encouraged to bring their own beads and crystals etc.

£50

Please feel free to contact us for further information. Alternativly, you can:

"You guidence and teaching have given me so much confidence, that I've decided to do it for a living" - Chris Mathems.

"A bargain. I learnt something new, had a great time, and have a fab bonnet for next years Regency Ball." - Jill Brent.

" We all really enjoyed the fascinator day you did, and I proudly sport mine whenever I can!!" - Sam Lovell, course leader Stafford College.

" I have finished off my corset and am inspired to make more, thank you for your wonderful and patient instruction."
- Michelle Capes.

"I got a hat and a headband and I'm not scared of sewing machines anymore! I think that's pretty good!" - Dr. Lynne Hardy.