Earlybird tickets on sale now!

Update: Historical Millinery Summer School

It is a truth universally acknowledged, 

that those in possession of a head, must be in want of a hat.

Historical Millinery Holiday Summer School in Canberra this January

15-19 January 2018 (only 4 places left)

Ages 12 - Adults ~ 1.30-5.00pm each day

Learn to block a top hat, wire & cover a bonnet/hat and knit a beret or cloche.

In this historical millinery summer school Aylwen will introduce you to blocked, patterned and knitted hats and bonnets. Most students should produce two hats during the course, depending on the chosen design, materials and hand skills. Please leave time to do homework in the evenings. Students will be using professional hat blocks during this course and supplied with information booklets with supplier and material information.

 

Places are limited to 6 - only when your registration is paid will your place be held.

In order to fully participate in the practical exercises please bring the following materials/equipment to the first class:

Needles (millinery, mixed pack of 3-9)
Thimble (metal)
Tape measure
Fabric and paper scissors
100% Guterman Polyester thread in black and white (100m rolls will be sufficient)
Tailors chalk or tailors pencil
Apron (to cover chest and thighs - waterproof or thick to prevent moisture affecting your clothes)
Household pins (26 x 0.75mm)
Dressmaking pins (30 x 0.60mm)
Gladwrap and two rolls of cheap paper towel
Pencil, pen, sharpener, eraser, ruler & 2-ring folder
(Optional for those wishing to learn to knit) 5mm x 30cm circular knitting needle and set of 5 double point knitting needles, 20cm x 5mm. Birch or addi brands recommended. Do not use Lincraft brand.

Other useful items you may wish to bring include:
Pliers
Wire cutters
Cellotape
Ribbons & feathers

Registration includes refreshments, information booklet, felt hat blanks, wool, buckram, petersham, wire and use of professional blocks and hat stiffening. Most supplies are imported from Europe and can be rather costly. Refunds are only given if the class is cancelled.

Teacher: Aylwen Gardiner-Garden is a historical dressmaker & milliner in Canberra who has studied millinery at the London College of Fashion, hand embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework and historic hand sewing at the School of Historic Dress in England.

After paying below or at http://www.earthlydelights.com.au/upcoming please complete your registration at https://goo.gl/forms/yWwkXYitXrnAnAQB3

Millinery Classes - learn to block a hat, make a buckram bonnet and knit a Scottish Tam!

Millinery Holiday Summer School in Canberra this January

Week 1: 8-12 January 2018Week 2: 15-19 January 2018 (only 3 places left)

Ages 12 - Adults ~ 1.30-5.00pm each day

    

Learn to block a hat, wire & cover a bonnet and knit a beret. In this historical millinery summer school Aylwen will introduce you to blocked, patterned and knitted hats and bonnets. Most students should produce two hats during the course, depending on the chosen design and materials. Please leave time to do homework in the evenings. Students will be using professional hat blocks during this course and supplied with information booklets with supplier and material information.

Places are limited to 6 - only when your registration is paid will your place be held.

REGISTER HERE

In order to fully participate in the practical exercises please bring the following materials/equipment to the first class:

Needles (millinery, mixed pack of 3-9)

Thimble (metal)

Tape measure

Fabric and paper scissors

100% Guterman Polyester thread in black and white (100m rolls will be sufficient)

Tailors chalk or tailors pencil

Apron (to cover chest and thighs)

Household pins (26 x 0.75mm)

Dressmaking pins (30 x 0.60mm)

Gladwrap and two rolls of cheap paper towel

Pencil, pen, sharpener, eraser, ruler & 2-ring folder

5mm x 30cm circular needle and set of 5 double point knitting needles, 20cm x 5mm. Birch or addi brands recommended. Do not use Lincraft brand.

Other useful items you may wish to bring include:

Pliers

Wire cutters

Cellotape

Ribbons & feathers

---

Adult Millinery Summer School Intensive: 22-26 January

Learn to block a hat, wire & cover a bonnet and knit a beret.

     

Learn to block a hat, wire & cover a bonnet and knit a beret. In this historical millinery summer school Aylwen will introduce you to blocked, patterned and knitted hats and bonnets. Most students should produce two hats during the course, depending on the chosen design and materials. Please leave time to do homework in the evenings. Students will be using professional hat blocks during this course and supplied with information booklets with supplier and material information.

Only 2 places left - only when your registration is paid will your place be held.

REGISTER HERE

In order to fully participate in the practical exercises please bring the following materials/equipment to the first class:

Needles (millinery, mixed pack of 3-9)

Thimble (metal)

Tape measure

Fabric and paper scissors

100% Guterman Polyester thread in black and white (100m rolls will be sufficient)

Tailors chalk or tailors pencil

Apron (to cover chest and thighs)

Household pins (26 x 0.75mm)

Dressmaking pins (30 x 0.60mm)

Gladwrap and two rolls of cheap paper towel

Pencil, pen, sharpener, eraser, ruler & 2-ring folder

5mm x 30cm circular needle and set of 5 double point knitting needles, 20cm x 5mm. Birch or addi brands recommended. Do not use Lincraft brand.

Other useful items you may wish to bring include:

Pliers

Wire cutters

Cellotape

Ribbons & feathers

Registration includes refreshments, light buffet lunch, information booklet, felt hat blanks, wool, buckram, petersham, wire and use of blocks and hat stiffening. Most supplies are imported from Europe and can be rather costly. 

Ages: Adult & students of EDHDA with sewing experience. Less intensive 5 x 1/2 day millinery classes have been made available in early January for ages 12-Adult. Book online above.

Teacher: Aylwen Gardiner-Garden is a historical dressmaker & milliner in Canberra who has studied millinery at the London College of Fashion, hand embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework and historic hand sewing at the School of Historic Dress in England.

Win a Regency Gentleman's Top Hat

“My idea of good company...is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.'  

'You are mistaken,' said he gently, 'that is not good company, that is the best.”

Dear Friends,

We are running a competition on our Jane Austen Festival Facebook Page where ticket holders can win a Gentleman's Regency Top Hat. Other competitions are planned so do subscribe to the page for notifications. To enter just go to https://contest.fbapp.io/your-chance-to-win-a-regency-gentleman-s-top-hat or https://www.facebook.com/JaneAustenFestival/ It closes on the 31 October 2017.

Discount earlybird & volunteer tickets are still on sale for 4 days and nights at the Albert Hall from 12-15 April 2018. New in 2018 will be a buffet roast dinner on our Thursday Opening Night, together with pleasant entertainments to welcome you to the festival. Please invite friends and family members to join you - we are organising extra events for men and children in 2018. Also on the JAFA ticket page are tickets to other events we have organised this year, including a Regency Bonnet Workshop on Jane Austen's Birthday and our family-friendly Christmas Carol Ball in December. Join us for both!

Our soldiers will be returning next year - so polish your shoes, brush your hats and keep an eye on your sons and daughters! There are new workshops on the program as we celebrate 200 years since the publication of many people's favourite Jane Austen novel, Persuasion. A favourite quote from this novel is below:

“I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone forever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. For you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent creature! You do us justice, indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating, in F. W.

I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look, will be enough to decide whether I enter your father's house this evening or never.”

Looking forward to seeing you all again,


Aylwen Gardiner-Garden

Jane Austen Festival Australia Picnic. Photo by Steve Bittinger, April 2017.

History of Dress Study Group

Enrol now in our History of Dress Study Group at http://www.janeaustenfestival.com/tickets

Historic Trades Fair, 13-14 April 2018

Calling coopers, cobblers, candlestick makers, basket weavers, bead makers, cutlers, arrow makers, wig weavers, soap makers, blacksmiths, tinsmiths, calligraphers, carvers, dyers, wood turners and more! 

A historic trades fair is being organised at the Albert Hall in Canberra on 13-14 April 2018 (9.30am-5.30pm each day) as part of the ACT Heritage Festival and Jane Austen Festival Australia. 

Can friends here please help by letting traders/craftspeople know?

Please email a description of trade, what you'd like to sell, 2-5 images of items, willingness to provide demonstrations during event, power needs, loading requirements to

 Stalls@janeaustenfestival.com.au

Free outdoor site hire, fees for indoor sites on application. 

Georgian/Regency/Beauty & the Beast Ball, Saturday 16 September 2017

Is it too long to wait for the Georgian/Regency Ball next April? Come along to the Georgian/Regency/Beauty & Beast Ball this Saturday night [16 September 2017] and preview some of the dances that will be on the Jane Austen Festival program. Tickets online at http://www.janeaustenfestival.com.au/tickets

#JaneAusten #Georgian #JaneAustenFestival #RegencyDance #GeorgianDance

Jane Austen Festival Bath

Wishing all our friends and followers a fantastic time at the Jane Austen Festival in Bath. Wishing we could be with you and looking forward to seeing you at Jane Austen Festival Australia from 12-15 April 2018. #JaneAustenFestival #JaneAusten #JaneAustenFestivalBath #JAFA #JAF

Announcement: this rare and complete Regency-era evening ensemble will be on display during the 2017 Jane Austen Festival of Australia

It is a rarity to find a set of matching period accessories, but to have them accompanied by their original outfit, is an amazing find!

This ensemble reportedly comes from the estate of Ms. Eliza Fox of Osmaston Hall in Derbyshire, UK and will be on exhibition at Jane Austen Festival Australia, 21-23 April 2017.

The canary yellow, trained ball dress, is fashioned from luminous and heavy silk, and decorated with metallic copper threads in a corded, braid-like trim. The high Empire-waist is decorated with a band of ruffled canary silk, and also a band of the chord trim. There is a shimmering medallion of jewels to the center of the neckline, which is accented by further ruffled silk.

The dainty, delicate sleeves and low neckline create the typical look of the Regency period.

The dress is fully lined in gauze and cotton and fastens with hook and eyes to the back, along with some muslin ties.

The quality construction, and hand sewing, is yet another wonder!

The ball shoes, are made from the same shade of canary silk as the dress and purse/reticule, and are decorated with the copper chord trim in a large gathered medallion. They are a lovely, classic pair Regency shoes, with a carved wooden "Louis"-style hard heel, ribbon ties, and kid leather lining.

The drawstring evening reticule is decorated with the braided trim, and fully lined in gauze. It too, is also fully hand sewn.

The complete set is a true treasure, has an astounding beauty and romance that should never be forgotten and always admired.

Teachers, presenters & performers in 2017

Here are some of the teachers, presenters and performers for Jane Austen Festival Australia 2017. There are more still to come and their photos will be added to this page once they have been confirmed.

Draft program for JAFA 2017

There are still more items to add to our program, but here is a taster of what we have in store for you in 2017....

Millinery Make a Regency Hat Making a Regency Beret  Make a Regency Bonnet Accessories Regency Necklace and Earrings Crochet workshop Hairstyles of the Regency Era History Jane Austen's England Pride and Prejudice and Aristotle Cotton prints 1790 - 1820 The Lost Textiles from Austen’s Time The History and the Making of Jane Austen's Quilt Sails of Glory - a miniatures game of battles under sail Bonapart: The effect of the actions of Napoleon on Europe

Fashion Regency Fashion Parade Cravat tying workshop How to do Cartridge Pleating Making a Regency Spencer 18th Century Frills & Furbelows

Art & Writing Watercolour painting workshop Cutting and using a feather quill for writing The Elegant Art of Letter Writing Writing a Regency Romance Dance & Evening Functions Dance workshops every day 9am-5pm Thursday: Welcome & Meet the Presenters Friday: Georgian Pleasure Evening Saturday: Grand Napoleonic Ball Sunday: Waverley Ball & Festival Roast Dinner

Playing the Harp at Jane Austen Festival Australia

At JAFA 2016 the Regency Ladies School taught festival attendees how to play a little on the harp, how to stand at the harp to have your portrait painted or photo taken. In 2017 there are plans for even bigger and brighter things as we invite you to bring your own or borrow a harp to bring with you to Jane Austen Festival Australia in April 2017 for our largest gathering yet of harps and harp players. Jane Austen Festival Friends are invited to send their contact details to registration@janeaustenfestival.com.au if they would like to learn some of the tunes beforehand. Whilst harps are the main instrument with this project, you are welcome to join and play a different instrument.

What do you think Jane Austen was telling us when Mary Crawford played the harp? Jeffrey Nigro shares with us a wonderful article exploring the history of harp playing in relation to Jane Austen: "The Many Meanings of Mary Crawford’s Harp" http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/on-line/vol35no1/nigro.html

There is harp and pianoforte music in the Austen Family Collection available online at https://ia601308.us.archive.org/.../austen1677439-2001.pdf

Jane Austen may have played a lovely Scottish Aire Robin Adair, for there were several variations of the song in her folio collection of music and Jane Fairfax played this tune in Emma.

I found a copy of the original in the Internet Archive and was particularly excited to find it was arranged for harp or piano forte.

Robin Adair, The Much Admired Ballad Sung with enthusiastic applause by Mr. Braham at the Lyceum Theatre, The Symphony & Accompaniments, Composed & Arranged For The Harp Or Piano Forte By W. Reeve, London, Printed by Button & Whitaker, St. Paul's Church Yard, n. d. [1811/12]

Two young men singing Robin Adair at Chawton House in 2014.

Applications are open now to teach a workshop or give a talk at Jane Austen Festival 2017

Regency Bonnet Workshop - 24-26 September 2016

You are invited to join our 3-day Regency Bonnet Workshop this September in Canberra, Australia. Contact Jane Austen Festival Australia for more information.

Kits containing buckram, taping, wire and mull will be provided and a salad buffet lunch will be offered.

Please bring:

• 1 metre of silk taffeta or dupion
• 50cm of your underbrim fabric - white or cream silk
• any ribbons, feathers and flowers you wish to decorate with
• Sewing Kit with large sharp fabric scissors, seam ripper, seam gauge or tape measure, machine & hand needles, craft scissors (for cutting buckram and paper), straight pins, clear ruler, pencils, eraser, coordinating thread to match your fashion fabric.

Registration: $150 

If you are unable to attend and wish for Aylwen to visit you to teach a workshop to your local group, please contact Jane Austen Festival Australia to make arrangements. Generally the fee is $250 day per group (plus $50 materials per person), the cost of return Qantas airfare to Canberra, hire car if a distance from airline hub, accommodation and meals. Aylwen is happy to accept billet accommodation and share meals in a non-smoking household. A series of workshops organised with several groups might enable you to share around and reduce the travel price. 

Example of buckram bonnet we'll be making

We'll make a buckram base that looks exactly like this.

You get to cover it with silk and make it look like one of these.

Teacher: Aylwen Gardiner-Garden

Regency Bonnet Workshop - 2 places left

Two places have been made available in the pre-festival Regency Bonnet Workshop on Thursday 14 April. Please email aylwen@janeaustenfestival.com.au if you'd like to book in @ $60

Kits containing buckram, taping, wire, mull, needles, hat box, bag and an instruction book will be provided.

Please bring:
-1 metre of silk taffeta
-50cm of your brim fabric
-any ribbons, feathers and flowers you wish to decorate with
-recently purchased or serviced sewing machine
-Sewing Kit with large sharp fabric scissors, seam ripper, seam gauge or tape measure, machine & hand needles,  craft scissors (for cutting buckram and paper), straight pins, clear ruler, pencils, eraser, paper (if you choose to copy the original pattern), coordinating thread to match your fashion fabric.
-protective safety glasses (optional but advisable)

Pre-Festival Historic Fashion Workshops bookings open

For the first time Jane Austen Festival Australia is offering classes leading up to the festival so that you can put together your wardrobe in advance. Last night Aylwen started teaching a beginner sewing class so that people knew enough to join some of the historic fashion classes. It was a lot of fun - and so useful to start at the very beginning.

The workshops listed below are special add-on limited attendance workshops for Jane Austen Festival Australia ticket holders. Attendees need to have prior sewing knowledge and bring a sewing kit and working sewing machine with them as the intention is to finish the item by the end of the workshop. Please check workshop description for pre-requisites.

---

Make your own regency short stays

Teacher: Aylwen Gardiner-Garden, ACT

Date: 12-14 March 2016 

Venue: The Garden Cottage, Yarralumla

This is a full 3-day workshop using the new Laughing Moon short stays pattern. The corset is made of a sturdy cotton or linen and edged with white bias tape. It laces together in front and is stiffened in front with flexible boning. For fuller busts, gussets are added to give the proper lift needed for this period. Kits will include your pattern, mockup material, boning and instructions. Please bring: fabric to make your corset (advised below), a regency chemise, a recently serviced sewing machine, and the usual sewing equipment (pins, scissors, tape measure, sewing cotton etc)

• For outer layer: 1m white silk, linen, or cotton.
• For interlining: 1m white coutil, linen or cotton canvas or cotton duck.
• For lining: 1m white linen or cotton.

The corset is made of a sturdy cotton or linen and edged with white bias tape. It laces together in front and is stiffened in front with flexible washable boning. For fuller busts, gussets are added to give the proper lift needed for this period. The short corset was used to display the various progressions of the Empire waist gowns, which were popular from 1790s to about the 1820s. This corset can also be covered in white cotton or linen if desired.

About your teacher: Aylwen Gardiner-Garden is a historical costume researcher, maker and teacher from Canberra, where she also organises historical dance and costume events, as well as being the Director of Jane Austen Festival Australia since 2008. In 2015 she taught historic costume workshops, did further research on historic clothing in the US and attended Costume College in LA as a scholarship recipient and looks forward to sharing her experience with you in 2016.  

Please note: only choose the "without pattern" if you already have a copy of the pattern and can bring it with you. If you attend the workshop without a pattern you will have to purchase a new pattern for an extra $35.  If you are attending from interstate and forget your fabric you can purchase from Addicted to Fabric (Phillip, ACT), Lincraft (DFO, Fyshwick or Woden, ACT) or Spotlight (Queanbeyan, NSW). Coutil is best purchased online, allowing plenty of time for shipping, whilst cotton duck can often (but not always) be found in the upholstery/curtain section of a fabric store. Workshop fees are non-refundable for any reason but are transferable up to two weeks before the workshop.

---

1816 Silk-covered Buckram Bonnet Workshop (two options)

Teacher: Aylwen Gardiner-Garden, ACT 14 April ~ 1-day Workshop: Silk Covered Bonnet $60 

Kits containing buckram, taping, wire, mull, needles, hat box, bag and an instruction book will be provided. Please bring:

• 1 metre of silk taffeta
• 50cm of your brim fabric
• any ribbons, feathers and flowers you wish to decorate with
• recently purchased or serviced sewing machine
• Sewing Kit with large sharp fabric scissors, seam ripper, seam gauge or tape measure, machine & hand needles,  craft scissors (for cutting buckram and paper), straight pins, clear ruler, pencils, eraser, paper (if you choose to copy the original pattern), coordinating thread to match your fashion fabric.
• protective safety glasses

       

Close-up of the inside of a shirred bonnet.

About your teacher: Aylwen Gardiner-Garden is a historical costume researcher, maker and teacher from Canberra, where she also organises historical dance and costume events, as well as being the Director of Jane Austen Festival Australia since 2008. In 2015 she taught historic costume workshops, did further research on historic clothing in the US and attended Costume College in LA as a scholarship recipient and looks forward to sharing her experience with you in 2016.     Please note: If you are attending from interstate and forget your fabric you can purchase from Addicted to Fabric (Phillip, ACT), Lincraft (DFO, Fyshwick or Woden, ACT) or Spotlight (Queanbeyan, NSW). Workshop fees are non-refundable for any reason but are transferable up to two weeks before the workshop.

---

Laughing Moon Bib Front Dress Workshop

 

Teacher: Adrienne Unger, NSW Date: Thursday 14 April 2016 Venue: Hyatt Hotel, Commonwealth Ave, Yarralumla.

Pre-requisite: It’s a good idea to come prepared wearing whatever underpinnings you will be using for the dress. Best is shift and stays, (check with Aylwen for resources) or a good, push-up wide strap bra, and a petticoat! The Laughing Moon 126 Bib Front dress has taken the Regency dressing community by storm. It is well researched, with a full range of sizing. It has a range of sleeves, and can be made up to suit from work dresses, to promenade to ball gowns. The instructions are very clearly presented, and it is a dress that has some ‘forgiveness’ built in with its tie and pin fastenings. For those of you with dressmaking experience, it will be a straight forward sewing task, though there are some parts of the instructions that do skim over assumed knowledge. Together let us make you a gown in a day! There will be hand sewing only for visible hems, so you will need to bring your machine, and overlocker if you use one, and all you regular sewing kit, fabric and lining needs and the ‘notions’.  Three weeks before the workshop we will send you your pattern so that Adrienne can individually guide you through pattern tracing for your measurements before you get together. Lunch and refreshments are not provided with this workshop as there is a cafe at the Hyatt you can purchase from.
      About your teacher: Adrienne Unger began sewing in her early teens, and has never stopped. With small children at home, she made wedding and bridesmaid dresses and sewed for her family. Later, dancing at Colonial balls inspired her to make her own period gowns, and, keen to learn more, led to her discovery of the TAFE Diploma of Theatre Costume -a four year vocational training course in costume design and construction - from which she graduated with Distinction. Adrienne now runs a small costume business from her home, mostly but not exclusively making Regency wear. Dancing and dressing the part continue to be her great pleasures.   Please note: only choose the "without pattern" if you already have a copy of the pattern and can bring it with you. If you attend the workshop without a pattern you will have to purchase a new pattern for an extra $35.  If you are attending from interstate and need some fabric you can purchase from Addicted to Fabric (Phillip, ACT), Lincraft (DFO, Fyshwick or Woden, ACT) or Spotlight (Queanbeyan, NSW).  Workshop fees are non-refundable for any reason but are transferable up to four weeks before the workshop.

JAFA-2016, Issue 1, 25 September 2015

Dear Friends,

Today we opened sales of Jane Austen Festival Australia tickets with a limited number of half-price tickets for Friends of Jane Austen Festival Australia. Other discounts are also available.

Our season tickets are the most affordable ticket options and the first 50 tickets are sold at below-cost price. Your early purchase helps us to raise esssential funds to start organising another memorable festival.

The festival runs for four days from 14-17 April 2016 in Canberra, with a three day-long masterclass sewing workshops scheduled for Thursday 14 April at the Australian Archives. A draft program is on our website, with more sessions being added as they are finalised. A wonderful team is working behind the scenes putting together our 9th festival - and I believe it will be our best! 

Do visit us at http://www.janeaustenfestival.com.au to purchase your tickets and read the draft program at http://janeaustenfestival.com/program/ .

Warmest Regards,

Aylwen Gardiner-Garden
Festival Director

JAFA-NEWS, May 2015

A confirmed date for JAFA 2016

The next Jane Austen Festival Australia will be held from 15-17 April 2016 at the Albert Hall in Canberra. In addition, we are planning a day of Regency-themed sewing workshops on Thursday 14 April at a nearby venue.

JAFA 2015 - Photos

JAFA photos now available for viewing. Steven has organised the images into a number of albums which may be viewed by clicking on the following url: http://www.ausact.com/jafa.html

May - Mansfield Park
was written between February, 1811 and the summer of 1813. It was the third novel Jane Austen had published and it first appeared on May 4, 1814. It is Jane Austen's most complex novel and deals with many different themes, from the education of children, to the differences between appearances and reality. 

1815 - New words appeared in our vocabulary
Drat - thinly disguised "God Rot"
Coddle - To treat tenderly- first in print in Emma in 1815

What happened 200 years ago?

Two main events of 1816 are of interest to us as we organise talks, workshops and dances: "Emma" was released for sale in early 1816 and Thomas Wilson published his books on Waltzing. Other events of interest:

• Lord Byron completed "Parisina" & "Siege of Corinth"
• Charlotte Bronte (d.1855), English novelist, writer of “Vilette” and “Jane Eyre,” was born in Thornton, England
• George “Beau” Brummell leaves England in May 1816 to escape his creditors, never to return.
• In the wake of rumors of marital violence, sodomy, incest, and adultery, Lord Byron leaves England in May, never to return.
• Cold weather persists throughout the summer of 1816 in much of the world’s temperate zones creating the “year without a summer,” especially in North Amerca. The unusual climate is likely due to a major volcanic eruption in Indonesia, and inspired Lord Byron’s poem “Darkness.”
• Lord Byron and guests gathered at the Villa Diodati on Lake Geneva, Switzerland. It was here that Byron challenged his guests to write a ghost story. This led Mary Shelley to produce Frankenstein in 1818 and John Polidori to create his short story “The Vampyre” (1819).
• The governor of New South Wales, Lachian Macquarie, grants to Elizabeth Macarthur and her husband John, 600 acres near Camden as recognition of her work toward improvement of agriculture in the Australian colony.

Regency Bonnet Workshop

You are invited to join our 3-day Regency Bonnet Workshop this June in Canberra, Australia.

Example of buckram bonnet we'll be making

We'll make a buckram base that looks exactly like this.

You get to cover it with silk and make it look like one of these.

Teacher: Aylwen Gardiner-Garden

Online event registration for Regency Bonnet 3-day Weekend Workshop powered by Eventbrite

JAFA15 NEWSLETTER 9

As JAFA 15 draws closer, workshop places are rapidly filling. There is always plenty of room in the dance workshops because they are held in the large hall. Limited vacancies still exist in

• Beginner regency Hand Sewing
• English Paper Piecing
• Making a Reticule
• Making a Pelerine
• Finishing Touches
• Leatherwork
• How to Tie a Cravat  

Beginner handsewing workshops - learn how to hand sew the regency way! Lots of room and a must if you want to do some of the more advanced workshops later on. See programs now on the website at http://www.janeaustenfestival.com.au/program and scroll to the bottom of the page to enrol in classes and sessions.

A range of saris, shawls, feathered bonnets, feathers and hat pins will be available from the Dragon's Blood stall. Come and have a look in the great hall in traders row. 

Dymocks will be bringing some beautiful editions of Jane Austen's novels; books on fashion, historic costumes and needlecraft. There are titles on historic society and homes, the Battle of Waterloo and a selection of naval historical novels. We also have Jane Austen gift books, children's books and merchandise.  EFTPOS will be available at their stall.

Parasols will be available from the JAFA stand in traders row. This elegant embroidered cotton parasol comes with a wooden handle and silky tassel. Length 88 cm / 35". 

The JAFA stall will also be selling silk fans, dance slippers, sewing patterns and regency period games.

Don’t forget BRING and BUY, operating out of the Festival stand. Great way to move on excess items - bring your items to sell! Download the Bring and Buy form at  http://janeaustenfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/BringAndBuyJAFA.pdf 

Cameo Creations will be offering silhouette cuttings at the festival this year. 

Ron Quarmby Spit Roast will be selling lunches on Friday and Saturday at JAFA - sausage sandwiches, beef/lamb/chicken rolls with salad and gravy. Prices range from $2.50 to $7.00, Special offer two meat & salad rolls for $12. Roast meat will be cooked on site. Vegetarian and gluten free options also available. Ron has catered for past Jane Austen Festivals - it is wonderful to have his return.

Marilyn Steven has come on board after our English Piecing class teacher was unable to attend. Thankyou Marilyn!

In May 1811, Jane asked her sister Cassandra, “have you remembered to collect pieces for the Patchwork? — we are now at a standstill.” Jane and her sister Cassandra were accomplished needle women, they stitched fine fichus and retrimmed their bonnets and for a long while worked on piecing a quilt together. This quilt is on display in Chawton Cottage in Hampshire and its in the English Medallion style which is a “a quilt with a central motif, surrounded by multiple Borders. The center is often a large square on point.” The colours and design of the quilt shows as much creativity as one of Miss Austen’s novels.
Marilyn came to a knowledge of the quilt as a member of JASA ACT for eleven years . She will explain her passionate appreciation of the Austen family quilt that is displayed at the Jane Austen Museum at Chawton and will take the risk of showing her near completed attempt to replicate it using machine and paper piecing techniques and the resources that she used on the journey .
English paper piecing can be used in many contexts and is very satisfying , accurate and eminently transportable . Marilyn will have some examples of work completed during classes taught by Susan Cody using her designs and techniques. Some may enjoy focussing on fussy cutting techniques. There will be time to practice the technique .
Participants should bring sewing thread, scissors, fabrics perhaps scraps or a fat quarter. Hexagon and other shapes are available at quilting shops, she will have some to share.

Jane Austen's quilt at Chawton

Where can I park?

There is ample parking within walking distance of the Albert Hall. 

Please note that it is an offence under the National Land (Road Transport) Ordinance 2014 to park a vehicle on open space that is not designed for the movement or parking of motor vehicles, such as grassed areas, footpaths and landscaped areas. The National Capital Authority are enforcing parking regulations with the recent introduction of paid parking in the Parliamentary Triangle - attendees should ensure they park legally to avoid the risk of an infringement being issued to their vehicle.

Public Parking is available at the following locations:

Friday

• lakeshore
• Hyatt car park
• National Library

Saturday

• Hyatt car park
• P2 - John Gorton Building - Access from Dorthy Tangney Place 
• P3 - National Archives car park - Access from Kings Avenue
• P4 - Questacon Car park - Access via Queen Elizabeth Drive 
• P5 - National Gallery - Access from King Edward Terrace via Kings Avenue only

Sunday 

• lakeshore
• Hyatt car park
• National Library
• P2 - John Gorton Building - Access from Dorothy Tangney Place 
• P3 - National Archives car park - Access from Kings Avenue

Buses
Due to the early start time of the event and road closures during the Running Festival nearby please visit www.action.act.gov.au for up-to-date information.

Taxis
Taxis will be able to drop participants at the front door of the Albert Hall.

Walking
If you are considering walking to the Albert Hall, it will only take approximately 30minutes from the city via Commonwealth Avenue over the bridge.