Instructor: Karen Smock

Course Description: Step into the world of 19th century craftsmanship and learn to create the very buttons that adorned Victorian women’s clothing. Each class focuses on a different part of a Victorian woman’s wardrobe, giving you a hands-on look at how these small details shaped everyday dress.

Class 1 – Undergarment Buttons: Explore the humble yet ingenious buttons used on Victorian underpinnings and learn the techniques behind their construction.

Class 2 – Gown Buttons: Recreate the delicate and decorative buttons found on surviving Victorian dresses.

Class 3 – Coat & Hat Buttons: Make the sturdier, more sculptural buttons that completed outerwear and millinery.

Every button we make is patterned directly from original examples found on extant Victorian garments, offering an authentic connection to the past.

Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate

Prerequisite: None

Dates: 3 Mondays – September 14, 21, 28, 2026

Time: 9:30 am – 12:30pm PDT

Registration Fee: $100

Kit: $10

Kit Description: Needles, button molds and rings, beeswax, written instructions.

Students Must Provide: Scissors, pen or pencil, several colors of pearl cotton #5 and #8 thread.

Second Camera: Optional

Register