So many components go into creating clothing from the 19th Century. Going beyond the basics of line, proportion/scale, color and texture, these 5 Elements are crucial to successful historical costuming. Start with these Elements and adapt them to your specific project.
Element #3 – Pattern, Tools & Notions
The supplies to create your design.
- Pattern: No matter if you’re using a commercial pattern, a drafted pattern from your own draped design, or starting from scratch on blank paper, the sewing pattern is blueprint for your garments. The pattern also includes all cutting details, seam allowances, and any special notes exclusive to the design.
- Tools: You may not think of it, but even your sewing machine, iron, awl and grommet setter is part of your design. If you are making a turn-of-the-century corset, you’ll most likely need scissors, an awl, zipper foot for the machine and so forth to complete the project. However, for a delicate Romantic Era gown, your special machine feet can be put away and are not considered part of the 5 Elements for that garment.
- Notions: The true hardware for your historical costume. Sewing notions include all the little bits needed to complete a garment – buttons, hook & eyes, snaps, even thread. For period clothing your notions also include corset busks, grommets, buttons to cover, steel boning, and hoop and millinery wire.
Resources: Patterns
Resources: Notions & Tools
Back to Element #2 – Fit
Forward to Element #4 – Fabric & Trim
I’m finishing a chemisette [La Mode Bagatelle’s pattern] so I can change the look of my Regency dress. But I’m puzzled about what kind of buttons should close the front. I have some small mother-of-pearl two-hole buttons – would those work? Or should I do self-fabric buttons, and if so – how??
Once this is done I’ll start working on my drop-front Regency dress with your tutorial – thanks in advance for all the GREAT advice! La Mode Bag was a lot more of a challenge than I expected…
Hi Kathleen, I replied to your similar comment on the other blog post. Here it is: Shell or wood buttons would be better as the chemisette is more of an undergarment. Mother-of-pearl are also great. However, you could do fabric covered, but keep the size small.
Thanks! I thought the other question didn’t post, which is why I repeated here… and now I can’t even find your blog to read the response there. I am so not good with computers! I could do mother-of-pearl but having looked at some of your Pinterest chemisette images, I’m thinking maybe no closing is needed, other than an invisible hook and eye at the top under the ruffle, and maybe another hook at the bottom. There’s some overlap, and I could even do a pin if needed.
No closing but overlap and tiny button or tie at the top is also historically appropriate. No need to do all the buttons unless you want to.