Cutting Mistakes to Avoid – Tips for Wielding the Blades You would think cutting fabric wouldn’t be too difficult. You have a good pair of scissors. Your cutting area is flat and smooth. But sometimes a challenging costume project will come up and you have to stop and actually think about how to cut it out. Take Read More...
Category: Sewing Tips
Making Handsome Machine Buttonholes
You *can* make smart looking machine buttonholes. This is not a myth. For those of you who choose not to take the time (or can’t for whatever reason) to make handmade buttonholes you can use your machine to great effect. Now granted, hand sewn buttonholes are period correct until the sewing machine could produce zig-zag Read More...
Edwardian Maternity Clothes
Ways to alter your c. 1907 skirts and shirtwaists to allow for your expanding figure…. This article from the Ladies Home Journal also talks about underwear (drawers, corset cover and petticoats) that should also be adjusted with great care. These alterations might work well for those who fluctuate in weight. Have you made adjustments on your historical costumes to Read More...
The Simple Solution to Perfect Pleats
Want to know the secret to keeping your finely pleated trim and garment areas looking crisp and perfect for years? Use this simple tip and you’ll soon say: “Oh that’s how they made it look that way!” Read More...
The Modern 3-in-1 Historical Garment
My husband has one of those HUGE coats with a lining that zips out. It’s a 3-in-1 where you can wear it 1) complete with outer part and lining, 2) just the outer part, or 3) just the thinner lining part. He loves it too. Well, I said: What a perfectly modern idea for historical Read More...
1884 Feb Delineator Jackets
Taken from The Delienator magazine, the bodice/jacket in the top right has 25 buttons and the lower left jacket has 17 plus 12 on the vest. They sure loved their button closures! For a successful reproduction, look for a 3/8″ size. You could also get away with 1/2″ and *maybe* 5/8″. Read More...