Class, Lecture, and Presentation Descriptions

School of the Victorian Lady 2016

Classes, Lectures, & Presentations

SATURDAY

Morning Classes-
Foraging: Living off the Land- Plants for Food and Healing- Tricia Hopkins
Tricia Hopkins will share with us what you need to know to identify, harvest,  and prepare edible 'weeds.' Plan to sped the time outside 'foraging' for plants found on the grounds of Fort Concho. Instructional materials included.

Double Knit stitch Hot Pad- Angela 'ARNie' Grabowski
ARNie will teach a knitting technique that starts with a single layered piece, is stitched with 2 straight needles, but ends up with a double layered hot pad, almost by magic!  Although the class time is short, there will be time after supper Saturday evening to finish this hot pad.
Bring worsted/aran weight yarn in 100% cotton or wool, and size 8 [5mm] straight needles.  A size H crochet hook is helpful, but optional.

Key Note Speakers-
Julia Robb will discuss her historical novels: The Captive Boy, Scalp Mountain and Del Norte set in American west after the Indian Wars

Bill Guffey- will detail the cattle trails and how herds of Long Horn Cattle helped to save the Texas economy following the Civil War.

Afternoon Classes- Sewing Lessons,  sewing machines will be available, you will need to bring scissors, seam rippers, pins and your fabric for one of the following:
Sally Wolfe- will help you create a Split Skirt, a staple for women working on a ranch.  You will need 4 5/8 yds of 45" fabric or 3 1/4 yds of 60" fabric.  Cotton twill, wool gaberdine, or polycotton gabardine is appropriate; bring thread to match your skirt.

Donna Hector- will lead this session in creating a quilted lap robe to use on those chilly nights in camp.  Bring 1 1/2 yds of fabric for the backing of your lap robe, and any other fabric scraps appropriate to your time period, and thread.  Donna will have a variety of fabric for your pieced top.

Sharon Baird- will lead the session where you can make a utilitarian apron that covers your dress, or a fancy embroidered apron.  You will need 4 1/2yds of 24" gingham, denim, or holland brown for the utilitarian apron, or 1 yd 45" for the fancy apron.  Bring thread to match.

SUNDAY

Reverend Boehlije will lead a devotional.
We will have a Show and Tell session during breakfast.

Crochet Rag Hot Pads- Linda Morris

Linda will show you the process normally used in crocheting Rag Rugs using Single Crochet stitch, but for the conference you will make a hotpad, [further details coming.]

The History of Button Exchanges- Donna Hector

Donna will share the history of Buttons, and the practice of 'Exchanging them.'

Victorian Insect Broaches- Jere Madison

Jere will offer the details on this unique fashion trend during the Victorian Era, of using live insects as jewelry.