It’s true when you look at photographs from the 1800s or observe antique dresses on custom-made mannequins it’s not hard to envy those petite waistlines. Do you do this? This perception usually leads to the generic thought: “Teeny, tiny waists are what women strived for back then. Everyone wanted an 18″ waist!” But did they?… Read More...
Tag: Modern Tricks
A Breakdown of How to Make the 1872 Blue Velvet Dress
Many of us, I think, use paintings, photographs and fashion plates as inspiration for our historical costumes. I mean, why not? They are beautiful and fully represent the time period of our choice. So what happens when we approach the creation of a particularly (seemingly) difficult garment? It’s so easy to be trapped into inaction Read More...
Wonder How Much That Costume is Worth?
I sort receipts for a living. For real. As a bookkeeper I have to sort through someone’s crumpled, sticky, torn, estrogen-mimicking receipts so they can be recorded. Piles and piles of receipts. And they all come to me stuffed into a gallon size Ziploc bag. I save the fun for slow work days…. Makes me wonder…. How 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...
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...