Sponsored by The Ladies of Refined Taste & Friends
and Minute Man National Historical Park

Hive 1: Sunday, January 18 — 1pm to 4:30pm, Minute Man National Historic Park Visitor Center (Lincoln) — Cancelled due to snow

1:15pm - 2:00pm Lecture: Inside a Colonial Closet—A Fashion Show Based on Local Probate Inventories
What was in the clothes closet of a typical 1770’s New England resident? Using local probate inventories, we will take a closer look at what kind and how much clothing someone might have had in 1775 New England. Examining what was in someone’s estate gives a snapshot of typical clothing possessions and what value that was ascribed to them. This fashion show will present clothing that is appropriate for Battle Road activities and will give guidelines to those new to the hobby or looking to improve their kit.

2:00pm - 4:30pm Project Series: Making A Man’s Shirt (Hive 1)
Learn how to construct and sew a man’s shirt. Everyone needs a shirt yet few have a fine quality linen, hand sewn shirt to call their own. A shirt is not hard to make if you can do your basic stitches and is a great tool to perfect your hand sewing, not to mention the finished product is very rewarding! To help you get started—we’ll supply a shirt kit—all the parts will be precut ready to assemble. During the first session you will learn how the shirt is constructed, review the stitches you need to know and start assembly. You’ll have work to do before the next session, when you will learn another section of the shirt and have enough to keep you busy until the last class where you will learn how to finish it off. The cost of the kit is $35, which includes all the materials you need to make the shirt including thread. Cost of the series is free, but you must pre-register. Limit (10) (full)

2:00pm - 4:30pm Project Series: Making a bed gown (Hive 1)
A good starter garment for beginning re-enactors and seasoned veterans alike! Bed gowns frequently show up on New England inventories. A bed gown is an appropriate alternative to a short gown, and satisfies Battle Road clothing standards for a sleeved outer garment for women. If you are still in a sleeveless bodice or short gown, this is a great chance for you to start your new season off in a brand new bed gown. Each class will show you how to finish a part of your garment, with instructions on what to do before the next class. By Hive three, you should be completing the finishing touches. The series is free, though you need to pre-register. A selection of fabric will be available for purchase ($). If you are going to supply your own fabric it will need to be approved ahead of time by the instructor. Limit (10) (full)

2:00pm - 4:30pm Clinic 1: Hand sewing for Beginners—Making a workbag or wallet.
Never picked up a needle and thread before? Not to worry, we’ll teach you the basics and best yet, you’ll show off your new skills while making either a market wallet or drawstring workbag. Cost of materials: $5

2:00pm - 4:30pm Clinic 2: Advanced Hand sewing—Construction techniques.
For more advanced hand sewers. You’ll learn tricks to make your stitches more effective and will learn some more advanced needlework. We’ll also cover how to use these stitches and where they are used in construction of 18^th Century garments.

Hive 2: Sunday, February 15 &mdash 1pm to 4:30pm, Major John Buttrick House, Minute Man National Historic Park

1:00pm - 1:45pm Lecture: Headwear for Men. Using period sources, we’ll look at what English men wore on their heads from wigs to hats both plain and fancy.

1:00pm - 1:45pm Lecture: Headwear for Women. From caps to hats to bonnets, what were the women of New England wearing in the 1770’s. Looking at artwork and extant hats, we’ll explore shape, size and trim, as well as examine the wide range of bonnets found on the heads of 18^th century women.

2:00pm - 4:30pm Project Series: Making a man's shirt (Hive 2)
Those who enrolled in the series will learn how to attach their sleeves, and set in the underarm sleeve gussets. Rescheduled as: first session of series.

2:00pm - 4:30pm Project Series: Making a bed gown (Hive 2)
Those who enrolled in the series will continue work on their bed gown. Rescheduled as: first session of series.

2:00pm Clinic 1: Blocking and Lining a Hat
Matt Brenckle and Steve Tascovics will teach you how to block and line a man’s hat.

2:00pm Clinic 2: Trimming a woman's hat
Bring your straw hat and ribbon and learn different techniques to trimming and shaping your hat. We’ll even look at tips others have for wearing them and keeping them on your head. Silk ribbon and straw hats will be available for sale if you need a new hat! Materials will be available for a fee.

2:00pm - 4:30pm Clinic 3 - Advanced Hand sewing—Construction techniques.
For more advanced hand sewers. You’ll learn tricks to make your stitches more effective and will learn some more advanced needlework. We’ll also cover how to use these stitches and where they are used in construction of 18^th Century garments. (Note: the clinic will replace "Fitting women's gown sleeves".)

Hive 3: Sunday, March 15 — 1pm to 4pm, CHANGE: Noah Brooks House, Minute Man National Historic Park

1:00pm - 2:00pm Lecture: Neckwear for Men
Bosom ruffles, neck stocks, neck cloths, handkerchiefs—a look at 18^th century men’s neckwear from yeoman to gentry.

1:00pm - 2:00pm Lecture: Children's Clothing
So often we put all our efforts into our clothing and don’t give much thought to what we put our kids into (since they’ll grown out of whatever they are in) We’ll look at children’s clothing and the best choices for young boys and girls.

2:15pm - 3:15pm Project Series: Making a Man's Shirt (Hive 3)
Putting the finishing touches on your shirts—collars, cuffs and buttons

2:15pm - 3:15pm Project Series: Making a bed gown (Hive 3)
Finishing up your bedgown

2:15pm - 3:15pm Clinic 1: Making a petticoat
Turn that drawstring petticoat to one with ties and look at ways to finish off the hem, including ferreting, facings and hems.

2:15pm - 3:15pm Clinic 2: Making a Neckcloth
Practice your handsewing and make a linen neck cloth ($5.00 Materials fee)

3:30pm - 4:15pm Clinic 3: Death's Head and Thread buttons
We’ll learn how to wrap a death’s head button as well as a simple dorset thread button. ($5.00 Materials fee)