When I planned the details of my latest Domestic Skills Symposium workshop, a drastic plummet to 20 degrees with frigid wind chill and snow were not on the list. Absolutely not.
Thankfully, old man winter could not stop the fun and learning, not even with the ice frozen car doors and trunk.
This year’s workshop took place in the nature center. We totally lucked out with this placement because we had modern heat, bathroms, and tea!
All set up and ready:*
Tools & Trims focused on recreating fabric trims from the late eighteenth thru the nineteenth century. We started by looking at a slide show of original garments, mostly dresses and a few parasols. Next, attendees were able to try an assortment of pinking dies (which were a little cranky) and four antique pinking machines as well as two types of fluters. We also looked at how to mimic the look of some dies using common pinking scissors/shears. We practiced various ruching and pleating techniques found on originals and in period literature. In the end, all their samples went into handmade sample books.
Everyone got so into their work, we forgot to stop for lunch until rather late. 
There were lots of busy hands…
And busy machines
Follow-up tid-bits:
The slub question – “Beyond the Slubs”
Dolls – Doll posts live on Don’t Paint the Cat. Milli the Milliner, my Peddler Doll, hasher own Facebook page.
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 
Nothing was heard but raves for your workshop, Anna!