Workshops

Workshops will take place on Thursday, October 9, the morning of Friday, October 10, and the afternoon of Saturday, October 11. Times and prices will be posted closer to the opening of registration. Workshops are open to Attendees and Companions.

English Country Dance (90 min)

(multiple identical sessions will be offered)

Might not the evening end in a dance?—Emma

Whether your dancing shoes are brand new or just a bit dusty, have no fear! Join us on a shame-free dance floor for an English Country Dance workshop that will prepare you for this year’s ball. Many of the dances Jane Austen enjoyed are easy to learn, and Tom and Toni make it almost as simple as walking.

New this year! One Advanced Workshop will be offered on Thursday with a prerequisite that you have taken an English Country Dance workshop at a recent AGM. You can also count one taken earlier in the day at this AGM.

Tom and Toni Tumbusch have taught together since 2005, hosting English Country and other historical dance workshops throughout the United States and Canada. They regularly teach for re-enactments, schools, and more. Both serve on the board for the Cincinnati English Country Dancers and perform with the vintage dance troupe Forget-Me-Not.

Brock Brothers Three-Dimensional Display (120 min)

I have been walking in the grove some time in the hope of meeting you. Will you do me the honour of reading that letter?—Pride and Prejudice

If you admire H.M. and C.E. Brock‘s lovely tinted line drawings from Jane Austen’s novels, you can take them to the next level, literally. In this workshop, you will create a three-dimensional display using the technique of papier-tôle to highlight the delightful drawings so that the scene pops out in an eye-catching manner. Even Mrs. Ferrars would hum at it and say, “Very pretty.”

If Lady Catherine had ever learnt, she would have been a great proficient at this. You will be provided with all the tools and materials needed to complete a 7”x10.5” display, as well as a box in which to transport the finished vignette and an easel on which to display your masterpiece.

Bonnie Britz, a retired teacher of ESL and North Carolina Region member, dabbles in making miniatures and sewing Regency garments for outings and balls. She has not become a great proficient at either, but she has always supposed it to be her own fault because she would not take the trouble of practicing.

Cravat Tying (90 min)

I always buy my own cravats, and am allowed to be an excellent judge—Northanger Abbey

Learn several ways to tie a Regency-era cravat with experienced workshop teacher Lisa Brown. Each participant will receive a white silk cravat (available in 3 sizes) to take home, a reproduction of Neckclothitania — an early 19th century guide to cravat tying — and printed modern instructions. Individual mirrors will be provided for class use.

Lisa Brown is Regional Coordinator of the Central and Western New York Region and is well known for her popular AGM workshops, fashion shows, and breakout sessions. During the pandemic, Lisa created Jane Austen Bingo for Zoom meetings.

Creative Writing Workshop—Austen in Verse (90 min)

Such Letters, such entertaining Letters, as you have lately sent—Such a description of your queer little heart!—Such a lovely display of what Imagination does!—Letter from Jane Austen to Fanny Knight, 20-21 February 1817

Join us for a lively and imaginative creative writing workshop that brings Jane Austen’s language to life! Participants will craft their own poetry using Austen’s words, with guidance and plenty of fun along the way, bringing her language to life in unique ways. No writing experience is needed—just a love of language and a spirit of creativity! Plus, everyone gets a creative writing journal to decorate with Austen-themed bling, making this a fun and immersive literary experience.

Tara Moore teaches writing at Elizabethtown College, including a travel writing course in Ireland. An author and editor, she adores both the reflective benefits of creative writing and Jane Austen’s mastery of language. Tara is Regional Co-coordinator for the Maryland Region.

Georgian Portrait Bracelet (90 min)

She was sitting by Edward, and in taking his tea from Mrs. Dashwood, his hand passed so directly before her, as to make a ring, with a plait of hair in the centre, very conspicuous on one of his fingers.—Sense and Sensibility

Create a beautiful Georgian-inspired bracelet featuring miniature portraits, lover’s eyes, or other sentimental designs under a glass dome, accented with pearls, beads, and rhinestones. Just as Edward Ferrars wore a ring with Lucy Steele’s hair, people of Jane Austen’s time cherished jewelry as keepsakes of loved ones. In this hands-on workshop, Kim Wilson will guide you in assembling your bracelet and crafting a beaded band to match. You’ll leave with a lovely piece of wearable history. The workshop fee includes all materials needed to complete your bracelet.

Kim Wilson is a Wisconsin Region member, frequent JASNA speaker, and author of several books on Jane Austen.

Introduction to Paper Quilling (120 min)

I should have been at my filigree already—Sense and Sensibility

Quilling, a timeless craft with roots in Classical Rome, Ancient Egypt, and Regency England, has made a resurgence in modern times. Sometimes called filigree or paper scrolling, quilling was a popular pastime for ladies in Regency England. Common items like jewelry boxes, screens, picture frames, and tea chests were often purchased from stores plain and then adorned with filigree accents. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn a little bit about the history of quilling, and quilling in Austen's novels, before diving into the craft and making your own filigreed note card, ornament, or piece of jewelry to take home.

Lynn Harlan, librarian, crafter, and member of the South Carolina Region, has been quilling since the age of 11 and began teaching and leading introductory workshops on this art during Covid.

Neckhandkerchief Stamping (60 min)

Everything went well you see, especially after we had tucked Mrs Lance's neckhandkerf in behind, & fastened it with a pin.—Letter Jane to Cassandra, 24 January 1809

In Jane’s time, handkerchiefs were worn around the neck like a shawl, wrapped about the head as a turban, or simply tucked in a pocket. In this workshop we will embellish our own one-of-a-kind handkerchiefs with Regency-inspired stamps. All materials will be supplied.

Workshop leader Stephenee Bennett Borelli is an artist, an amateur costumer, and JASNA Greater Sacramento Regional Coordinator.


Regency Calling Cards (90 min)

The morning was chiefly spent in leaving cards at the houses of Mrs. Jennings's acquaintance to inform them of her being in town.—Sense and Sensibility

Calling cards in the Regency were an essential part of social life: how else would you let friends and future suitors know you had called upon them? But it was also an opportunity to show off one's creativity–in addition to personal information, they displayed elegant designs and pictures‒truly a form of self-expression.

Join artist Jenna Bergstraesser, Southwest Region, to create your own unique calling cards and come home with a set to distribute to fellow Janeites!





Regency Sing-a-Long (60 min)

"Do let us have a little music," cried Miss Bingley, tired of a conversation in which she had no share.—Pride and Prejudice

What do Marianne Dashwood, Elizabeth Bennet, Frank Churchill, Anne Elliot and JANE AUSTEN have in common? They were all amateur musicians, called upon to entertain their friends and family with song.

This group sing workshop will feature songs that were sung in the church pews, in the town pub, or just around the family pianoforte in Regency England. Bring your singing voice or tap along as we learn songs — sacred and secular — of the era. We promise you’ll have more fun than Mary Bennet.

Rita Baker-Schmidt is a singer, songwriter and instrumentalist from the Maryland Region.



“Tokens of Friendship”: Fabric Pin Wheels & Bristol Board Needle Books (90 min)

I wish I could help you in your needle work, I have two hands & a new Thimble that lead a very easy life. —(Letter from Jane to Cassandra, 27 December 1808)

In the collection found in the Jane Austen House Museum in Chawton, England, there is a Bristol Board needle book made by Jane Austen for her niece Louisa Knight. Taking inspiration from this lovely token of love and friendship, Mackenzie Sholtz’s workshop focuses on sewing several small fabric pin wheels/pinkeeps and Bristol Board needle books based on originals in Mackenzie’s collection. Patterns, instruction booklet, and basic supplies to complete 4 or 5 different types of pin wheels and needle books will be part of the kit. Students are welcome to bring their own fabrics too.

Basic sewing skills needed.

Students are asked to bring their own scissors and their own special colored floss for embellishments if possible.

Mackenzie Sholtz brings 40 years of garment industry experience and love of clothing history together in her Fig Leaf Pattern line, with patterns created from real period garments.