So you only bought seven yards. You need eight. Of course. Because you didn’t check the yardage listing before you went shopping or the store only had the seven. But you’re determined to make the dress anyway…. When you’re a bit short on fabric, the [historically accurate] method of Making It Work is to piece the Read More...
Tag: How To
Quit Overthinking Cartridge Pleats
Over the years I’ve seen many, many costumers question and ponder and debate and frustrate themselves over how to calculate cartridge pleats. I get it. It’s pleating. Pleats need to be calculated (or can be, but it’s not absolutely necessary). But cartridge pleats – or gauging as is the 19th century period term – are Read More...
3 Tips for Researching a New Fashion Era
Hello my friends!! I’m back from the adventure of moving 700 miles to a new home. I’m now in Utah about a half hour south of Salt Lake City. If you are in the area and know of dress-up or reenacting events please let me know. I want to join the fun and meet you Read More...
Starching Petticoats
Do you starch your petticoats? Like those that are required if you want a good historical silhouette? I’ll admit I don’t keep my petticoats freshly starched & pressed as much as I should. But I still remember the very first time I pressed a plain petticoat after starching for the first time. OMG! That “paper 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...
Pintucks – the Old Fashioned Way
Pintucks! So gloriously tiny! So delicate! So straight & even… or not. Pintucks have a charm about them. They call to us because they signify something regal or heavenly. They appear aloof and untouchable. The beauty they add to Victorian petticoats and Edwardian chemises elevate such tantalizing garments. So as dressmakers from another time, Read More...
How to Sit in a Hoopskirt
Since I posted How to Sit in a Victorian Bustle, I’ve had quite a number of you pipe up that you wanted to see a video on how to sit in a hoopskirt. Well, my dear readers, you’ve asked for it and now it’s here! It’s not as complicated as you think, so enjoy this Read More...
Finishing Your Victorian Skirts with a Hidden Placket Opening
Ever make a skirt where you sew up all the side seams – easy, right? – then you have to figure out what to do with the opening? (Hopefully you left an opening in one of the side seams. 🙂 ) It’s not always as simple as folding the raw edges to the inside and Read More...