I am in the midst of frantically making a new Victorian dress for Dickens' Faire. I *love* the fabric, but I can't help feeling I'll look like I'm wearing curtains. :P (For sewers or Victorians, do you think I can get away with a purple and burgundy fringe on the dress, even though neither of those colours are in the fabric?) Yesterday I got ( Read more... )

As some of you know, I am an historical costumer. What does this mean? I like making and dressing up in clothes from historical eras. One of my favourites is Victorian (if you couldn't guess). I subscribe to a monthly online magazine "Your Wardrobe Unlock'd" which has fabulous articles on things like corset-making and drafting, how to make your ( Read more... )

I am in the process of making a coat for Albert's brother, Hans, inspired by this coat:
( Read more... )

As many of you know, I enjoy making corsets. Below is one I just finished: a Victorian underbust for a male client to wear as an undergarment, based loosely on the LM Men's Corset pattern. Outer layer of twill, lining of cotton flatlined to twill. 10" busk, 4 1/4" flat steels next to the grommets, 18 1/4" spring steels, hand-bound, and black-on- ( Read more... )

Before I forget to tell people about it, I've found this website: Vintage Sewing. I'm particularly fond of their Home Sewing Course. Of course, it was made in 1936, but it covers a lot of really basic principles that haven't changed (and will never change). It's from them I learned the neat trick to hanging (read:hemming) a skirt on yourself: ( Read more... )

I love to sew. I really do. It's a fabulous creative outlet for me. Plus, I get stuff I can wear! And I can make things for others! However, I really hate cutting out all the pieces necessary for a project. It is the most tedious part of the whole process for me (that and hand-hemming full skirts). Unfortunately, it comes right near the ( Read more... )

I just went to check out sewing table and it turns out they're all *way* more expensive than I can afford. :( Are there folks out there who would help me build one? (and by help I mean, I provide rough design, you provide expertise, and I do what you tell me to) It would be a table approximately 28" high by 36-40" wide by 48-50" long (maybe ( Read more... )

(n.b.: the title is an actual pie I saw being advertised at Marie Callendar's ( Read more... )