A linen shirt is a vital part of traditional Swedish folk dress for both men and women. It also makes a natural, breathable, and sophisticated contemporary garment worn on its own. Working with guest instructor Johanna Runbäck from the Sätergläntan Institute of Handicraft in Dalarna, Sweden, participants will begin a linen shirt from a pattern modified to their individual needs. Participants will learn a variety of stitches (backstitch, hemstitch, buttonhole stitch, and more), and create a muslin mockup before piecing together the shirt itself. This project will be of interest to anyone wishing to improve their skills in pattern-making and working with linen, and to anyone interested in historical clothing. Some experience with hand and machine sewing is helpful. Given the time constraints, students will likely complete their project at home, but will leave class with a good start and a strong understanding of all the skills needed.

You will need the following tools for this class:

You are encouraged to bring along any sewing tools that you enjoy using for hand and machine sewing.

• Paper scissors
• Fabric cutting scissors
• Smaller scissors for clipping and trimming
• Seam ripper
• Tape measure
• Hand needles
• Pin cushion
• Pins
• Thimble
• Fabric marking tools (such as pencil, disappearing marker, chalk, wax)
• Clear plastic ruler (suggest 2” x 18” type used by quilters which cost about $9.00)
• Spool thread - white and a color-of- your-choice that works on your sewing machine
• Pens, pencils
• Notebook

Sewing machine – If you own a portable sewing machine, please bring it to class. Test it before coming to class to check that it is in working order, and know its basic operations. If you cannot bring one, North House has machines you can use, and you will be given basic instruction for their use. Also bring needles and bobbins to fit your machine.

Feel free to bring your favorite tools and whatever materials you might feel appropriate for this course.