How to Grade Seam Allowances

Do you make the grade? It’s super important to get into the habit of grading your seams, and I highly recommend it! The process of grading your seam allowances (aka trimming to various widths) is fairly easy to understand. However, this sewing technique can be time consuming. But don’t let that stop you! Making the Read More...

Constructing a Victorian Bustle Dress

It’s that moment when you are ready to jump into your first Victorian dress and hold out hope that it’s not as complicated as it “seams.” Because I’d been sewing clothes for about a dozen years before I got into historical costuming I wasn’t afraid. The gorgeousness of the 1870s & 1880s called me strongly. Read More...

Ruching Basics for Victorian Clothing

Ruched panels – in all their glorious, gathered loveliness – seem to pop up frequently throughout the Victorian Era (1837-1900). You’ll find ruched bodice panels, puffings as skirt trims, and gathered accents in ribbons for all sorts of marvelous decorations. The process of ruching isn’t hard. But in some ways it looks so complicated! Ruching, Read More...

Regency Gown Closures

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...