Victorian Dressing Gowns & Tea Gowns: A Brief Overview

We all have our “comfy clothes” we wear around the house. For some that may be yoga pants and a t-shirt; for others, jeans and sweater or cotton dress. If friends come over for a Saturday BBQ we might put on something a bit nicer… like shoes. But in thinking about those who lived in Read More...

Flatlining 19th Century Skirts

  The importance of flatlining skirts cannot be understated. Although, there is a time and place for using underlinings or a lining or both. Or even leaving off linings altogether and simply relying on hem facings and petticoats to keep the silhouette in place. To follow up my post on how to flatline bodices, let’s Read More...

Finishing Your Victorian Skirts with a Hidden Placket Opening

Ever make a skirt where you sew up all the side seams – easy, right? – then you have to figure out what to do with the opening? (Hopefully you left an opening in one of the side seams. 🙂 ) It’s not always as simple as folding the raw edges to the inside and Read More...

Quick Note & Pattern Ideas for an 1880s Winter Dress

Anyone know the stress of trying to get multiple projects done before the deadline?? That’s me this month. Busy, busy little bee. So for today, a quick, short post to answer a question that was asked yesterday on the Facebook page. Jacqui’s question: Hi Jennifer, do you know of a pattern that comes close to Read More...

Year in Review: Costuming in 2013

It’s that time of year again to marvel at the projects you completed during the year and kick yourself for ones that didn’t get done. (Or maybe it’s just frustration at having the lack of sewing time to complete the to-do pile…) As noted in my 2012 list, reviewing my completed projects is not something Read More...