Ahh… sleeves. The bane of nearly every historical costumer. Aren’t we glad we only have two arms! Ever work yourself into a frenzy just trying to get your sleeves right so you can at least *move* in your costume? Yep. It’s the challenge for most of us. Over and over with each bodice…. Well, after Read More...
Category: Fitting Tips
Inventing the Wheel, or Clues to How to Start a Design
Think back to when you were new to sewing. Perhaps it was last week. Or maybe 40 years ago. Remember how intimidating a new design was? You thought, “I want to make THAT.” You bought a gorgeous blue fabric only to find yourself staring at the picture wondering how to even begin such a thing. Read More...
Working with Mockups
If you’ve been around garment sewing, and especially historical sewing, for any length of time you’ve probably heard of mockups, aka toile (pronounced twal), muslin, run-through, or fitting test garment. The purpose is to do a test run of the pattern for sewing errors and also to fine-tune the fit to a body. Mockups are Read More...
Fitting Guidelines for Flattering Victorian Costumes
Seems every one of us who make reproduction historical garments are after that crown jewel of construction – The Perfect Fit. Of course we are. Now, I’ll admit that after sewing and fitting for a while you can begin to recognize good fit on yourself and others too. But even “good fit” isn’t perfect. Our ancestors Read More...
Curvy & Dressing Historical
My, but the response on covering plus-sizes was intense when I asked for article ideas on the Facebook page! Thank you for the input! Appears many of you who are “busty lasses,” larger than size 18, and plus-size need to know more about historical patterns suitable for your “stout” figure and how to trim garments Read More...
Fitting a Victorian Bodice on Yourself
Fitting. Some people can figure it out like that – ‘snap’. Whoo-hoo! Good for them. (It IS one of the biggest mistakes costumers make and getting it right is like Devonshire cream! Divine.) 🙂 The rest of us have to struggle through each mockup as if we were climbing the Cliffs of Insanity with dental Read More...
Avoid the Corset Ridge
If you’ve worn a corset you know it…. THAT LINE! That horrible, awful line. That ridge that sticks out in front of you like a power boat pushing through the water creating a wall of water around its bow. It’s nearly as bad as obvious hoop lines. Ugh… So what can you do next time Read More...
Could a Perfect Fit be Too Tight?
Have you ever thought about how tight your historical clothing should be? Fit is very important for that “look.” However, is there a point where we are so concerned with that “look” that we forget we’re reproducing garments that were intended to be lived in? We see antique, existing clothing on mannequins and fashion sketches Read More...