This blog post will function as a continually-updated resource instead of a log. I do a significant amount of research on historical garments, both for my personal sewing and my academic work, and all too often find myself Googling "hem circumference 18____?" to help date extant gowns. Go ahead, guess how big these hems are. … Continue reading Hem Circumference Resource
This'll be a short blog, by virtue of the fact that it was also a short project (and I simply didn't take many progress pictures), but it combines my fantasy-style design with some late Victorian styles and Georgian sewing. I know, you're probably wondering where all of these menswear projects came from - my only … Continue reading Wizard Fashion: Menswear Edition
Back to Prince Adam! It's now mid-winter, and I've finally finished this behemoth of a costume. This blog post will be about making the frock coat and remaining accessories. (As a reminder: this is not historically accurate – I am reproducing the court suit that Prince Adam wears in the last scene of the the … Continue reading 1740s-60s Court Suit (Part III)
I've been seeing a lot of 1830s the past few weeks as Dickens events come up in the calendar (exciting!), and I thought that I would contribute my fair share of tips-n-tricks with a tutorial for of sleeve supports. But not sleeve plumpers, oh no! Abby of American Duchess has kindly done the work on that … Continue reading 1830s Sleeve Supports!
This is just a quick post for a quick project, but I do discuss pattern issues. I signed up to volunteer at a local historic house museum as a docent for their Halloween program on Victorian mourning. I've been helping them set up the exhibit (and handle the collection!) and most of their extant garments … Continue reading 1903 Mourning Dress
"I hope to finish it this summer!" I said with optimism back in January. (After having worked on it in September 2017 and putting it aside...) Instead, here comes autumn, and this post will be about finishing the waistcoat and starting the frock coat buttons. (As a reminder: this is not historically accurate - I am … Continue reading 1740s-60s Court Suit (Part II)
(Scroll to bottom to see a progress report of the second style of petti!) So: corded petticoats. Gorgeous, yet maddening. I've had one on my mind for a while because I had the pleasure of watching Orisen create hers last month (pictured below). They're incredibly useful, and had their heyday from the 1830s through the … Continue reading Hack! Corded Petticoats
