I think a lot of costumers, especially newbies and those that haven’t sewn from the Romantic Era, start out by thinking the best way to achieve the skirt silhouette is to begin with a hoop skirt. That couldn’t be farther from the authentic truth as the metal cage crinoline/hoopskirt we know of wasn’t invented until Read More...
Category: Sewing Tips
Modern Shortcuts for Historical Sewing (or how I cheat)
You know the routine – you didn’t allow enough time to finish your dress and now you’re having to cut corners to get it even *wearable.* I’ve been there. Early on in my costume sewing. Not so bad that I had to be sewn into my dress, but still pushing the clock til it was Read More...
Blackberry Cream for Dinner
The 1873 dress turned out exceptionally yummy. The poufy-ness. The gorgeous heliotrope/wisteria color. The kazillion yards of ruching…. It debuted at the Gala at Costume College 2011 and couldn’t have found a happier setting. Here are a few more photos and notes on the making of this delicious piece. Read More...
Should You Sew Side Seams Last?
A current idea floating around to aid in getting closures lined up properly is to do them first. In other words, you finish the center front or center back fastenings first, then in your bodice construction you leave the side seams open until the very end. This allows you to fit at the side seams Read More...
How to Avoid Sweaty Palm Syndrome So Your Sewing Stays Clean
Summer always seems to be full of sewing projects. I don’t know about you, but with balls, soirees, teas and costume gatherings my sewing table is piled with stuff to make. With all this busy sewing comes weather I’d rather see pass on quickly. Heat, high humidity, rain storms (or super dry weather if you’re Read More...
What Everyone Ought to Know About Wearing a Victorian Corset
I first experienced wearing a corset eleven years ago. I thought it was the coolest thing ever as I LOVED Victorian clothes. So much wisdom has been gained over the years of making and wearing that “body armor” that I gladly pass on my experience to you to keep you on your feet and moving. Read More...
How to Make a Slipstitch
Check out the new tutorial on making slipstitches for hems including tacking down bias on bodice necklines, hems and sleeve hems. A slipstitch can be used anywhere! The Slipstitch Read More...
Tax Season Tips to Help You Improve Your Sewing
You’re probably thinking, “tax season??” That is SO not related to sewing. And it’s not. Not really. See, by day I fly a desk as a bookkeeper in an accounting firm and am really looking forward to the end of this season. Looking back at the last 4.5 months I’ve learned a lot that can be Read More...