Heirloom Christening Gown
Gail Doane's Brand New Original Design
A hand-made garment passed generation to generation to bring love, connection, and tradition to family celebrations
Everything you need to successfully sew Gail's Original Design Christening Gown
Come experience the methodical, personal, creative instruction for which Gail is renowned, all from the comfort of your own sewing space, on your own schedule, and at your own pace. With up-close video streams from multiple cameras, detailed instructions, and digital patterns you will be fully equipped for success. Vanquish the scourge of UFO’s (unfinished outfits) and reunite with the precious feeling of sewing a project to completion. With Gail as your guide, success is your destination.
Here's everything included with this class:
- 13 video lessons (totaling over 12 hours of total instruction)
- 45 pages of detailed instructions with photos (Gown / Dress)
- 12-page instructional guide for the slip
- 11-page instructional guide for the bonnet
- 10-page step-by-step embroidery guide
- 3 sizes of downloadable christening gown patterns (3, 6, 12 months)
- 3 sizes of girl’s heirloom dress patterns (sizes 2, 3, 4)
- 6 Sizes of downloadable digital bonnet patterns
- 6 sizes of downloadable slip patterns
This is the most resources I've ever included in one class!
Detailed Instructions and Patterns, Included With the Video Class
Step-by-Step Written Instructions
Every detail, documented in words & photos
Digital Pattern Downloads
Any size pattern, any time you want it
Sign me up, I'm ready to make that gown!
With Gail Guiding You Every Step of the Way,
YOU Can Complete This Christening Gown Set!
Gail's Modern Four-Camera Sewing Studio Gives You a Front Row Seat to Every Stitch
Eye-Level Speaker Shot
Gail speaks directly to the camera.
Overhead Long Shot
Watch Gail's hands work on the sewing table
Super-Close Detail Shot
See the fine nuances that make exquisite finishing details.
Machine-Mounted Shot
See Gail sew on her machine with no obstruction
13 Comprehensive and Conveniently Edited Lessons That Will Take From Start To Finished 3-piece Set
No Details Left Out, This Course Covers it All!
Course Curriculum:
Chapter 1 - Introduction
- Introduction of the dress/slip/bonnet
- Discussion of the materials list
- Discussion of the cutting guide
Chapter 2 - Dress Skirt Front
- Interfacing, pleating, and blocking the skirt front
- Demonstration of the geometric smocking stitches
Chapter 3 - Preparing and Applying the Under and Upper Yokes
- Making a freezer paper blocking guide to shape the armholes
- Interfacing the under yoke
- Hand basting and attaching the under yoke
- Preparing the over yoke pintuck block
- Tracing/cutting/hand embroidery on the over yoke
- French insertion shaping on the over yoke
- Attaching the shaped insertion with the ‘insertion lace lock’ method
- Shaping and attaching the ¼” Swiss edging to the overyoke
- Pinstitching the inside edge of the French insertion
Chapter 4 - Preparing the Bodice Backs
- Preparing the bodice back pintuck blocks
- Cutting out the bodice backs
- Applying the bodice back interfacing
Chapter 5 - Shoulder Seams and Neckline Finish
- Inserting entredeux into the shoulder seams
- Preparing the front bodice lining
- Completing the piped neckline finish
Chapter 6 - Preparing the Skirt Front and the Skirt Back
- Marking and making the groups of eleven pintucks on the skirt front and skirt back
- Trimming the side seam allowances down to correct size
- Skirt back placket
- Attaching the skirt backs to the bodice backs
Chapter 7 - Back Lace Belt and French Side Seam
- Preparing and inserting the back lace belts
- French side seam (one side only)
Chapter 8 - Lace Fancy Bands and Hemline Lace Finish
- Zig-zagging the lace fancy bands
- Inserting the lace fancy bands
- Adding the hemline French edging finish
- Pinstitching all fancy band and hemline edging edges
Chapter 9 - Sleeves
- Preparing the sleeve pintuck blocks
- Constructing and applying the sleeve lace cuffs
- Inserting the sleeves into the bodice
- Binding the sleeve seam allowances with ‘Seams Great’
Chapter 10 - Finishing Up
- Marking the hand embroidery on the skirt front and back
- Making the buttonholes on the right bodice back
- Adding the buttons to the left bodice back
- Adding the bullion roses and the plastic snaps to the back lace belts
- Adding the thread belt carriers
Chapter 11 - Hand Embroidery Demonstration
- Rosebud
- Spiral bullion rose with cast-on stitch leaves
- Featherstitch
- Bullion work on smocking
- Bullion rosebud on a four hole button
Chapter 12 - Bonnet
- All steps necessary for the completion of the bonnet
Chapter 13 - Slip
- All steps necessary for the completion of the slip
Meet Your Instructor: Gail Doane
In the words of Classic Sewing Magazine: "Gail Doane is an internationally recognized expert in sewing technique and design, as well as a featured designer in Classic Sewing magazine. It’s the tiny details of sewing that are her recognizable signature style."
In her own words: Gail is "an heirloom sewing addict who is detail-oriented, but prepared to break the rules."
Gail brings to the classroom over 40 years of experience, having dressed seven children, and now an ever-expanding number of grandchildren, in beautiful heirloom clothing. Her work first appeared in Australian Smocking & Embroidery in 2000 and Inspirations in 2008.
Gail's Sewing Has Been Featured In Top-Tier Publications Across the Globe
Sewing class reinvented for the online age
#TheSewMustGoOn
The Highest-Quality Instruction
- Watch Gail's masterfully experienced hands as they reveal every subtlety and nuance needed for each technique
- Enjoy multiple camera angles including super-close up shots of Gail's sewing table and machine
The Most Convenient Experience
- Leave the time, headache, and expense of travel behind and work from the comfort of your own sewing room
- Retain access to this course for life, and reference back to it as often as you need so you can finish more projects
- Stream Gail's sewing instruction onto the device of your preference making it easy to sew wherever you want
Sewing Class The Old Way
Travel to attend an in-person class held at a conference
What You Experience:
- 20+ students crowded around a single sewing machine or table without a clear view
- Stress between trying to record audio/video of the class or furiously taking notes so you can retain what your learn
- Pack your sewing machine and lug it through airports and hotels to use it in class
- Instructor barraged by Chatty Pattys asking personal sewing questions and using up precious class time
What you pay:
- Flights $300
- Hotel $200
- Rental Car $150
- Food $50
- Registration $150
- Total Cost $850
Sewing Class The New Way
Attend class from the convenience of your own sewing room
What You Experience:
- High-quality, close-up camera shots from multiple angles with no obstruction
- Convenient, recorded, videos you can review as many times as you need to get your sewing right
- The familiarity of your own sewing room and the convenience of all of your at-home supplies
- A constant flow of valuable information without interruptions or distractions
What you pay:
- Flights $0
- Hotel $0
- Rental Car $0
- Food $0
- Registration $199
- Total Cost $199
Experience Sewing Class The New Way
Previous Students are Raving About Gail's Online Classes...
“Worth every penny"
"Gail is Perfection Personified"
"I'll be signing up for the next [one]"
“This was having a front row seat!"
"Outstanding, so informative!"
"Money very well spent"
We Surveyed 200+ of Gail's Past Sewing Students
Here's how they rated their online sewing experience:
- Average rating for skill improvement:
4.77 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Average rating for online format:
4.93 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Average rating for overall experience:
4.99 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Willingness to recommend to a friend:
4.96 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wage War Against UFO's (Unfinished Outfits) Today
Important Questions and Answers About This Online Course
How do I access the course?
What technology do I require to view this course?
What supplies or materials do I require?
I do not live in the United States. Will I still be able to access the course?
The Heirloom Sewing Horror Story...
A search and rescue mission for confidence
One of the relentless challenges of heirloom sewing is feeling confident in enough different skills to complete a beautiful garment. Without confidence in each specific skill, you second-guess yourself over and over, barely moving forward, until you wake up one day and you’re sitting in your sewing room, staring at a closet of half-finished outfits racking your brain to remember what the satisfaction of completing a project feels like.
That doesn't have to be you!
Join us in waging war against UFOs (unfinished outfits) and register today!
