I’ve received emails and comments regarding my previous post on closing the Old Petticoat Shop (read the post here) and wanted to clarify that news.
The Old Petticoat Shop (link to closing sale) selling sewing patterns is the only thing closing. As much as I’ve enjoyed serving the community offering patterns and such I’ve decided to close that site to allow more time to focus on new online classes and brand new pattern line (Emma Lily Designs).
The Historical Sewing School (visit here) is NOT closing or going away! I’ve got new classes to produce and continue to assist students every week in their projects. Creativity and learning is still happening there! 🙂
And new articles here on the blog will still be published. This site is full of resources that are valuable to those making historical fashions as well as sewing modern projects. So, it will remain up indefinitely and with new content going forward.
I’d love to hear from you. Or if you have any questions or comments about the community, future plans, where to find me, or suggestions for classes or sewing tips, please let me know! Comment here or shoot me an email at sewing AT HistoricalSewing DOT com.
Cheers!
Jennifer
Glad to hear the blog is staying put! It’s one of my go-to references for Victorian sewing!
Here’s a question: do you typically pre-wash fabrics for historical costuming, especially cottons and faux-silks? I’m trying to decide if I should pre-wash a synthetic taffeta for a Civil War ballgown: the bolt label said it’s a rayon-cotton-poly blend, which (for any other garment) I would just throw in the washing machine. What kind of wrinkles can I expect? The prospect of ironing 8 yards of fabric is rather daunting.
Hi Sam,
Think of how you will launder and clean the final garment and pre-treat/wash the fabrics accordingly. I pretty much wash all my cottons. Generally on warm, but nicer ones in cool water. Faux silk is generally polyester and won’t need pre-washing, unless you want to get rid of factory odors and manufacturing chemicals. A good press is just right for polys. Rayon WILL shrink, as do cotton and linen, so I recommend any material with rayon content to be pre-washed. (Here’s my post on washing fabric in a machine.) The poly in the rayon-cotton blend helps to keep wrinkles at bay, but you’ll probably still need to press before cutting your pieces. When I sew with true silks I do not pre-treat but for a good steam press.