Special Note
We welcome all sewers from beginner to advanced; from those who just want to throw a party costume together to others who strive for the closest historical accuracy they can reproduce. However, our focus is primarily on historical costuming as a hobby and art.
We have many in our community who are re-enactors and are inspired by their research and vision in striving to make their historical clothing as close to the originals as possible. We honor your dedication and welcome your input so we can all learn.
But the bulk of what you’ll find at the Historical Sewing blog is on the artistic aspect of sewing. The joy of the creative process. The accomplishment of completing your first corset. The fun of dressing up in a gorgeous gown. If you feel you were born in the wrong century but love your 21st amenities, you will feel at home here.
Mission Statement
At our blog, HistoricalSewing.com, with our online sewing classes, and at our sister site: EmmaLilyDesigns.com, we are committed to helping others experience 19th century fashions through modern and period sewing techniques.
Whether you have sewn for decades or just purchased your first sewing machine last week, we want to be a resource for your sewing journey.
Our purpose is to promote individual sewing as a hobby and functional skill. With home garment sewing becoming a forgotten art due to the inexpensive ready-to-wear clothing available today, we desire to pass on the methods used by our ancestors through the exciting and creative medium of historical costumes.
Our goal is to provide specific, easy-to-understand sewing instructions, visual media of detailed pictures and videos and other educational resources to accomplish this purpose. We want to impress upon new and young sewers that the practical “chore” of stitching does not have to be boring.
In fact, expressing your personality through period clothing can be empowering. We love to sew and want others to experience the fun of creating too!
What We Believe
- By continually working on period and modern sewing projects, we know where our readers are coming from because we’ve been there. We recognize the lack of detailed how-to instructions that are included with today’s patterns.
- We know what it’s like to spend hours on a dress only to find out it’s not period accurate or looks terrible on our figure (even in proper silhouette undergarments). We appreciate the struggle and know that with the right tools, the next project will be better
- We believe that by implementing the 5 Elements of historical sewing into every project, the best results will be achieved.
- By breaking down the individual parts of a historical costume into workable components it will help to create a cohesive, functional, and beautiful garment.
- We believe that modern techniques are efficient and time-saving shortcuts that can be used effectively in period garments. But we also recognize that sometimes a period method is the best method.
Opportunities
Sign up to receive our Free Sewing Newsletter. Each month a new article will be published first to subscribers before it becomes public on the site. These special editorials will jump-start your knowledge of 19th Century and Edwardian fashion.
When working on a particular project, be sure to visit the Research pages.
Visit our Etsy Shop (items which used to be at our Old Petticoat Shop ) for our specific how-to-sew workbooks along with finished and half-completed (ready for you to finish, of course) period undergarments and accessories.
Delve into the lists of pattern sellers, costume supply vendors, trim dealers and other interesting sites on the Resources pages.
Please Comment on any post that strikes your fancy or urges you to try something new. Or Contact us for more detailed questions.
Share with others on the Historical Sewing Facebook page (not currently active on this page)
We hope you’ll find some awesome resources you can apply right away to current projects. Bookmark us for future visits – we’re updating the site all the time. You just might need that tutorial on pin tucks someday….
Just finished my latest Civil War era dress. It turne out beautiful. I have to credit you and your site on the results.
I used many of your tips & advice to create this. My next project will turn out better thanks to you.
God bless
Oh, Lisa! This warms my heart. <3
Blessings to you too.
I read most all your posts and have learned alot about costumes, gowns, dresses, petticoats, etc. I am relatively new when it comes to historical costuming. My question is the time periods or eras or years when certain items existed. When did the ladies start using loops and when did they end? When did bustles start and when did they end? Knowing this and other questions will help me keep straight on the times or periods. Thanks!
Hi Nelly. Glad you’re a part of our Joyful Community! 🙂
In general, wired hoopskirts were worn from the late 1850s until late 1860s and perhaps into the Seventies. Although, in those years the shape changed to create different silhouettes according to latest fashion. The patent was filed in 1856 so they were not worn before hand. Corded petticoats were worn from the late 18-Teens into the 1860s when most people took to the new wired hoopskirt undergarment to support the silhouette. (Read my post on this discussion.)
When the hoopskirt waned the hoops when down to only being at the hem and smaller. The back bustle was then created for the change in fashion. You can see more on my discussion of the Bustle Eras here which will provide great insight: https://historicalsewing.com/bustle-era-changes-the-highs-lows-in-the-1870s-1880s The wired bustle for big skirts was worn from very late 1860s until 1889 when practically in six months it disappeared from fashion. Although, some form of hip padding was worn in every decade. See this post: https://historicalsewing.com/big-butts-of-the-19th-century
After the bustle came the fabulous 1890s with their big sleeves which faded by about 1899.
You can see a general overview of fashions from plates of the period with my Dressing a Lady series: https://historicalsewing.com/dressing-a-lady
I have some pattern companies original newsletters from 1890/1910. Is there any demand for them. I do have to admit the detail is so incredible, you can make fight from the pictures. I don’t see stuff like this any more and would
Like to sell them. They are very fragile,but have been laying flat for over 35 yrs.
If you search Ebay, Etsy and Ruby Lane you’ll find loads of stuff like this and in high demand too. I’d recommend that route to sell them for good prices and to those who still value them.
I shared your most recent article with my Miniature Friends group on Facebook (because many make period dollhouses and roomboxes with scale dolls who need period clothing) and our Admin tells me she is having trouble seeing your site – that your server seems to be on-again off-again. Might want to check into that – the miniaturists would eat up your fabulous info!
Thanks for sharing Mar Penner! Yes, we’ve had a few hiccups in our server today but it’s getting fixed. Thanks for the kind note of letting us know. 🙂
Love your site! So glad to have found it. I would love to join a class or group to sew together in order to learn from others. Do you offer anything like that ever? I am in southern california but I would travel for a weekend of sewing!
Melissa
Hi Melissa and welcome to our Joyful Community!
On my site here I do host “live” online classes with a private Facebook group where the camaraderie is fantastic and the friendships lasting. We’ll start up again in 2015 with hosted classes.
As for So.Cal, I’m a member of the Costumer’s Guild West. Events, meet-ups and other costume fun things are planned throughout the year with Costume College in August being the penultimate event of the year. Please connect with us!
Also, I will travel to do classes/workshops. So if a hostess speaks up to have something in a particular location I’m all for travelling to teach. 🙂
Cheers,
Jennifer
just came across your web site. its wonderful. please send me news letter and other info as you see fit . rita