Vintage Dressmaking - Fashion on the Ration

                This is a Full Day Course

The Second World War shortage didn’t just alter the way women lived, it also drastically changed the way they dressed.

Many believed that the outbreak of the Second World War would stifle the fashion industry and women’s ability to show their identity through their clothing. However, women’s fashion survived and even flourished under the strict rules of rationing in 1940’s Britain, often in new and unexpected ways. As the ration books took hold we can see how what it was like to really sew and dress on the home front in wartime Britain. 

Come and learn about ‘Coupon Culture’ the real origins of ‘Make Do & Mend’, and of course the original LBD, the ‘Little Blackout Dress’.

On this day you will learn how to make a 1940’s Utility Dress, and give hair and make up tips to complete your look.

Patterns and full course instructions will be provided.

The fabric for making your dress, or calico for making a toile will be needed along with a 20 – 22” zip colour matched to your fabric. Toile fabrics can be purchased for a small fee.

We can advise you on fabrics and quantities at the time of booking.

This class is suitable for beginners, but you should have some basic knowledge of how to use a sewing machine.

A basic sewing kit will be needed, including scissors, needles, threads, markers etc.

Full Day Course - 10 am to 5 pm, snacks and refreshments provided, but not lunch.

£80.00 *

 *Every course member will have £10.00 of their fee donated to the ‘Women’s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust’ who held an exhibition at The Imperial War Museum called ‘Fashion On The Ration’ which inspired this course.