Comments on: 8 Historical Sewing Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making

By: Abigail

Abigail — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 16:38:23 +0000

Ah, number 8. No wonder my stitches keep coming out! I’ll have to try that from now on, it’ll save a lot of time and heartache.

By: Mona carver

Mona carver — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 17:26:59 +0000

In reply to Victoria. I wrote in marker “paper” on the blades so people knew which pair to use

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Sat, 28 Jan 2017 01:08:20 +0000

In reply to Dana Watsham. Ha! :-)

By: Dana Watsham

Dana Watsham — Sat, 28 Jan 2017 00:31:30 +0000

My first husband the carpenter was (in)famous for ‘borrowing’ my fabric shears to cut fishing line, and didn’t really see why I made such a fuss. “They’re the sharpest in the house, why can’t I use them?”

Until the day I used a freshly sharpened chisel as a screwdriver. He never touched fabric shears again.

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 23:20:31 +0000

In reply to Dennis Jensen. Thanks for your comments. Of course there are exceptions! Sewing and creating are so personal that everyone does it in their own way that comes naturally for them. Then again, for some techniques there are better ways of doing things than others but that doesn't rule out those less-than-ideal methods. :-)

By: Dennis Jensen

Dennis Jensen — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 21:55:10 +0000

I disagree with three points, at least partly.
Metal boning and spiral steel boning is sometimes the best choice, and occasionally the only choice, but the nylon boning also known as synthetic whale bone is great! Yes, it molds with heat, but so did real whale bone. If you have fitted your corset, bodice, etc well, it will be no less comfortable compared to garments made with steel boning.
Regarding hemming, I’d generally suggest hand-stitching it. However, the hems on the majority of Madame Vionnet’s bias dresses were simply zigzagged with a narrow zigzag stitch and trimmed close to the stitches.
I’d also recommend a gentler seam pressing regime than you suggest. It’s easy to over-press certain fabrics. Use short bursts of steam and a clapper: place iron on seam, blast with steam, remove iron and immediately press down on the seam with the clapper. You’ll get lovely seams and edges with no marks even with tricky fabrics.
Moral of the story: there are always exceptions.

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 17:11:02 +0000

In reply to Maral. Completely! The Victorians used full use of the machine to save time and add more trims! But not all silk dresses had machined pleats. I reproduced this 1873 dress from the V&A Museum. If you zoom on the photo you can kinda see the machine stitching at the top of the back ruched ruffle. You can read about my project here and read the other blog posts about it so see the primary reference source of the V&A dress.

By: Maral

Maral — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 23:31:59 +0000

In reply to Jennifer Rosbrugh. So machine hemmed pleats are legit on a silk 1875 dress? I just wanted to make sure it won't be a massive faux pas. I could also try using my blindstitch foot and see if that looks ok, although my taffeta doesn't like to let go of creases so I'm worried all the folding will mark it.