Online Historical Costuming and Sewing Workshops to Help You Create 19^th Century Garments

How many times have you looked at a costume project and wished there was a class you could take that would show you, step-by-step how to accomplish it? Now there is!

Where do you want to time travel in your sewing today?

Start bringing the past to life through a variety of online classes to help you prepare your historical wardrobe. Be it the all-important undergarments that create the silhouette or the fashion and accessories to complete the outfit. What do you need to make next?

All online classes have 24/7 unlimited access. Each class is broken down into easy-to-follow lessons complete with handouts and homework assignments to keep you on track.

Enroll in the Historical Sewing School and start building your sewing skills today!

New online classes are produced every year

For detailed assistance with the our sewing classes, we will be hosting online workshops through a private Facebook group. Those who have purchased these classes will have a chance to ask the instructor for personal help on their projects while interacting with other costumers from around the world.

All classes are available for year-round enrollment. Join us today!

Historical Costuming Online Workshops

Want to make a corset but afraid to go it alone?

Ready to tackle a new time period but need guidance to do it correctly?

Excited to finally attempt that project you’ve been putting off?

Ruth B – “I truly did enjoy your class. I found exactly what I was seeking and oh so much more.”

Joy Dingman – “I had a great time Jennifer, and learned a lot! Hopefully in the future I will be able to take more of your classes. They were fun and I looked forward to the lessons each week. Thanks again!”

Current Online Classes – all are available for year-round enrollment:

18th Century Shift

Hand Stitches for 18th Century Sewing

Regency Corset & Chemise

Regency Dress Class

Regency Spencer

Ribbon Trims

Romantic Era Bonnet

19th Century Cartridge Pleated Skirt

Victorian Bustle Day Dress

Victorian Corset

Victorian Undergarments

Passionate About Petticoats

Lobster Tail Bustle (included with Victorian Undergarments Class)

1880s Bustle Era Hat

Late Edwardian Corset

All classes are available with unlimited access that never expires.

Join other historical costumers in an online setting with an experienced instructor as you progress through detailed lessons. Learn from others and share your knowledge through a private discussion group for your specific class. Pick up handy tips & techniques. Be inspired to get sewing!

Jocelynne Woolf – “Jennifer, my sewing had already improved so much by just following your blog. Taking your classes has been an absolute game changer. Sometimes I can’t believe the level of improvement. I know this won’t be a perfect corset, but I fully believe it will be my best yet!”

Class & Workshop FAQs (aka How they work and what you get with each class)

Online classes are set up with unlimited access
Classes are based on specific sewing project(s)
All classes are available for year-round enrollment
The online class lessons are presented through a variety of media including videos, photos & PDF handhouts
There is no specific “live” time for workshops as we have students from around the world and would be impractical to have live class times
Videos accompany each class lesson covering specific topics for those tasks. Videos are NOT downloadable and can only be viewed when logged into the class site through an internet connection.
Most classes and lessons include an extensive PDF handout with detailed instructions, photographs, and in some intensive classes, homework assignments.
Discussions during the workshops will take place on Facebook in a private group setting which offers valuable benefits such as:
- Personal access to the instructor’s extensive sewing & costuming knowledge
- Q&A regarding the class in progress
- Additional videos on specific techniques
- Encouragement both to & from fellow students to keep you motivated

Life happens when there are sewing projects to be finished. If you cannot finish the project lessons – no worries! Our online classes come with unlimited, 24/7 access!

All international students welcome! Instructions and measurements presented with American English standards.

Attention EU students: our classes fall under the 1/1/2015 digital VAT regulations. All online classes and workshops will have your EU country’s VAT tax rate added at checkout. Class fees shown do not include VAT.

Veronica del Rio – “I had the opportunity to sign up to this class last year. And it was great. I learned many new techniques and I had the opportunity to share my hobbies with wonderful people. And although English is not my native language, I had no problem following the course. Jennifer is a great teacher. Recommend this course to anyone interested in having a beautiful dress and have fun.”

Registering For an Online Class: (August 2017) We have a NEW online class platform!!

Click on the class link (listed on this page) to learn more about the project and techniques covered throughout the class. Enroll using PayPal or a debit or credit card. Your payment method is secure and the instructor, Jennifer Rosbrugh, and Old Petticoat Shop LLC do not have access to your payment account information.

When you register for a workshop class, within 24 hours you should receive an invitation email to join the private Facebook group. Let us know if you need us to send a new invite. We require your Facebook account email address to successfully send the invite and for it to be valid (Facebook rules).

Skills Required: Each class description will note the difficulty level. Most classes will fall in the intermediate range with advanced techniques presented from time to time. Classes assume students have basic sewing knowledge, including how to operate a sewing machine and general sewing tools. A familiarity of 19^th Century history and dressmaking is helpful but not required.

Computer Requirements: Standard definition (some with an HD option) videos for each class will be available for streaming view only on this site. (Videos are embedded links from a third party hosting server – Vimeo.) A high-speed internet connection will make the viewing more enjoyable with less buffering time.

Lesson outlines will be available in basic PDF format and are readable through Adobe Reader (which your computer or mobile reader probably already has installed). Please visit the Adobe site to download the latest version. This software app is free.

Evette Nixon – “Your videos are a big help. 🙂 I look at each video about three times, watch it first then stop it and replay and pause. The last time I viewed the video, I run it through all of the way as a checkpoint. You are a very good teacher.”

Refund Policy: There is no pressure to complete a class as you have unlimited access to it. No refunds will be issued for online classes due to the intellectual property and materials shared during class. For more information, please read our Terms of Service.

What people are saying about Jennifer’s online classes:

Becca Hill – The Victorian corset class I took from them was AWESOME!… The class is amazing!”

Verónica Del Río – “Thank you all for these wonderful weeks. It was a pleasure to share with you. I learned a lot with you. Especially thanks to you, Jennifer. For your kindness, love and support. And because you’re a great teacher! Your courses are fantastic!”

Laurie Eisenbraun – “The wealth of knowledge and sewing supply sources I’ve gotten from this group is unbelievable!”

Trudi Schooley – “This has been a great class, Jennifer. I can’t wait to make some more [hats]. And got so many great ideas from the rest of the group.”

Val LaBore – “I enjoyed [the class] too. Kept me on track to finish mine.”

Christina Papp – “I’ve been very happy to be a part of this group and have learned SO MUCH by reading everyone’s posts, watching Jennifer’s videos, and seeing all photos posted.”

Tonya Clevenger – “Well, Here it is [photo], nothing fancy but I am proud of it…never thought I could make a corset!! Thank you Jennifer…”

Connie Whittlesey – “All done. Thank you Jennifer so much for this. I would never have tried this alone. It may not be perfect but I now have the confidence to step out of my tiny little box I have been sewing in. Seeeewwww much fun!”

Dawn Burke – “This is an awesome class! I’m not longer afraid of corset-making. :-)”

Karen Helle – “Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I have had so much fun.”

Historical Costuming Classes & Workshops with Jennifer Rosbrugh

Enroll now and improve your skills!