The Regency Fashion Era (1795-1820) is a wonderful time of simple silhouettes, drape-able fabrics, and a freedom from tight dressing (as compared to the Rococo period before and Victorian Era after). With these delicate styles comes light closures – ones not to disturb the easy shaping. They are fairly simple. Basic really. Uncomplicated. And generally Read More...
Tag: 1820s
Regency Corded Corset
Finally finished!! My, but this took me longer than I anticipated. I’d made Regency corsets before but not a fully corded one. I love all the details and can actually say this one is 100% done. (Yes, I even flossed all 8 gussets. Ha!) It’s very comfy, has six metal bones, wood busk and I Read More...
Flatlining 19th Century Skirts
The importance of flatlining skirts cannot be understated. Although, there is a time and place for using underlinings or a lining or both. Or even leaving off linings altogether and simply relying on hem facings and petticoats to keep the silhouette in place. To follow up my post on how to flatline bodices, let’s Read More...
Van Dyke Points for a 1830s Dress
“Please tell us how you made those little points!” – This was the general request when I posted the above photo on the Facebook page showing my dressmaking progress on the 1838 Persimmon Puff dress. Now, I have been calling them “teeth” but after some research and useful suggestions from my followers they are van Read More...
Deconstruction: 1820 Copper Evening Gown
One of my favorite things to do in historical costuming is to break down an existing garment, fashion plate, or painting and figure out how to make it. It’s like candy to me – must have! So when April D. on our popular Facebook page asked me to do a deconstruction of this gown, Read More...
19th C. Pocket Solutions Because You Have to Put Your iPhone Somewhere
Hidden pockets. Wide pockets. Tiny pockets. Welt pockets. Watch pockets. Patch pockets. Pockets with flaps. Pockets in seams. Decorative pockets and functional pockets. Inside pockets. Breast pockets. Back pockets. It truly is amazing the variety and locations of pockets in 19th Century clothing! For easy reference, let’s look at where our ancestors carried personal Read More...
Simplifying the Search for Undergarment Patterns – Chemise & Drawers
If you’re at all like most historical costumers, you tend to focus on the main part of a new costume – the dress. I know I do. Sure, you give a thought to the corset; maybe even make a new one which we know is the substance for a well-presented silhouette. Then you follow with Read More...
Reducing Petticoat Layers So Your Waist Looks Small
Those of us who make Victorian dresses are all after one particular feature – a small waist. We do this primarily through corset cinching but also a visual trick with wide sleeves and full skirts. Another hidden method is to reduce the amount of fabric layers around your waist, specifically on skirt layers. When you Read More...