All these handsewing stitches are similar but they’re not the same! Overhand stitch, overcast stitch, whip stitch and hem stitch – these four stitches are all slanting handsewing stitches. But do you know the difference? Overhand, Overcast, Hem & Whip Stitch – What’s The Difference? Overhand Stitch The overhand stitch is used to sew two … Continue reading Overhand, Overcast, Hem & Whip Stitch – What’s The Difference →
Limerick lace is a floral tulle lace: It is hand-embroidered on machine-made cotton net. In this tutorial I'll show you how to make Limerick lace by hand.
Flat steel boning, spiral steel boning, German plastic boning (aka synthetic whalebone) - what corset boning is best for historical corsets?
I love late Victorian and Edwardian sweaters! 😀 Over the years I’ve made various Edwardian-style sweaters: some are refashioned from modern sweaters and some are hand-knitted and crocheted. Below are 7 of my historical sweaters including tutorials on how I made the sweaters. Refashioned Edwardian-Style Sweaters Knit sweaters and cardigans were a popular choice of … Continue reading 7 DIY Edwardian Sweaters – Refashion, Knit & Crochet →
Learn how to make broderie anglaise lace (eyelet lace) by hand. It's really easy!
Learn how to make a simple 1920s slip! And what's best, you only need one yard of fabric to make a 1920s slip!
This is my free crochet sole pattern for DIY shoes from scratch like DIY espadrilles and DIY sandals. The DIY crochet sole pattern is adult size and easily adjustable to other sizes. I made a video tutorial, crochet chart and written instructions to make it easy for you to follow the steps. Make you own … Continue reading Free Crochet Sole Pattern – Video Tutorial – Adult Size →
Are you wondering how to add lace trim like in earlier times? Learn 6 different vintage ways to insert lace and improve your heirloom sewing skills!
Instead of buying soutache you can make your own soutache with fabric! Use DIY fabric soutache to embellish your clothes.
DIY Crochet Snail Amigurumi Free Patterns
Turn an old, ugly, ill-fitting cardigan into a cute vintage cardigan any Gibson Girl would wear proudly!
In this short tutorial I'll show you how to mend jeans in the crotch area.
Learn how to make broderie anglaise lace (eyelet lace) by hand. It's really easy!
Are you wondering how to add lace trim like in earlier times? Learn 6 different vintage ways to insert lace and improve your heirloom sewing skills!
In the Edwardian era, there were 5 ways to attach ruffles: with a receiving tuck, flat felled seam, finishing braid, French seam or whipped gathers.
Hedebo embroidery is a historical whitework embroidery which originated in Denmark in the mid-18th century. It consists of 2 basic stitches.
Creating 17th Century collar tassels for period costume and reenactment. How to crochet tassels for a 17th Century falling band collar.
Learn how to make broderie anglaise lace (eyelet lace) by hand. It's really easy!
Are you wondering how to add lace trim like in earlier times? Learn 6 different vintage ways to insert lace and improve your heirloom sewing skills!
Limerick lace is a floral tulle lace: It is hand-embroidered on machine-made cotton net. In this tutorial I'll show you how to make Limerick lace by hand.
Let your inner Targaryen, Hightower, or Galadriel shine with Mood's free fantasy cosplay sewing pattern, The Luthien Dress!
Knit and crochet sweaters were an everyday garment for active Edwardian girls and women. Edwardian sweaters are still in style today. So knit, crochet or sew your own Edwardian sweater this winter following one of the 25 free antique Edwardian sweater patterns.
In this post, I'll go over how to find free vintage sewing books. There are a lot of vintage and antique books that are in the public domain now.
Known for her interpretations of 18th century gowns, Lauren Rossi offers steps for creating hand-sewn eyelets - known for their outstanding strength - on both historic and modern garments.
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The Parker Corset free sewing pattern can be thrown on over an oversized button-up like our Kiri or Lunaria Dress.
Download this free corset pattern and start constructing your own corset pattern now - Also, view our video tutorials on corset making.
Beautiful Crochet on Household Linen is a lovely collection of crochet patterns edited by Flora Klickmann, editor of The Girl's Own Paper. It includes...
48 p. 27 cm
I hate turtleneck collars as much as I hate hoods! 😉 So I usually remove or refashion turtleneck collars: Some time ago, I turned a turtleneck into a wide crochet lace collar. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to change a turtleneck collar into a mock collar or scoop neck. You’ll need: turtleneck sweater … Continue reading Turtleneck To Scoop Neck – Sweater Refashion →
Free Historical Costume Patterns The cutter’s practical guide to the cutting of ladies’ garments, 1890 Combination drawers, vests, riding skits, breeches, swiss belt, and coats for the Belle Epoch era
I recently designed and sewed a vintage bra, and have learned a lot from the experience! Namely - why vintage bras are so much better than..
Quick & Easy Summer Wardrobe Patterns 1948 Woman & Beauty July 1948 Self Draft / All Sizes Kindly reproduced by Miss Rayne who blogs over at Vintage Chic Free 1940's Sewing Pattern Here
Sew directionally - This handy sewing tip helps you get both sides of the garment to stay the same length throughout the construction process.
I recently decided to try something new in my historical clothing journey. Accessories is an area that I have wanted to focus on for a while now, but I have been busy with making the basics of a wardrobe. That is a time consuming process when dressing for different periods. It has always upset me that I still do not have a fully finished mid Victorian outfit and accessories do make an outfit. I have been focusing on researching outerwear and found many photos of women wearing sontags. While I have read blogs about how many people wear these in the states, I had never seen one worn in Australia. I am not sure if this is because my group represents a more social elite or because most of our events are in summer. It seemed perfect for me, however, as it gets very cold where I live in the hills. It was also a great idea as I could knit it on the bus on my way to university. There was one problem though, I didn't know how to knit. I showed the January of 1860s Godey's Sontag pattern on Ragged Soldier to Jessie and she was kind enough to give me a basic lesson in knitting. I did have problems with working out what needles and wool to use. It turns out that UK, USA and Australia have different needle sizes. This was very frustrating for a beginner. In the end I used 4mm needle with 8 ply wool. To finish it I used two rows of single crochet (this is double crochet in the USA, so another conversion issue) and then a shell boarder to finish it. Jessie and a friend of hers also taught me how to crochet. To finish it I googled how to make dorset buttons. I did not feel that any other button would be suitable. This was a great learning project and I hope to continue developing both my new skills. Thankfully, I keep getting told I am a fast learner so it only took two weeks from start to finish. The finished sontag laid flat Front View Tied Up Back View Tied Up Close up of the Dorset Button The crocheted tie and tassel It is very comfortable and easy to wear. I am now collecting CDVs and dreaming of the next one I plan to make, so watch my knitting space... The Challenge 20# Outerwear 1860s Sontag Fabric: 100% Wool in two colours, 4 balls of tan and 2 of dark red Notions: Bone Ring for Button Pattern: Godey's Ladies Magazine and Ragged Soldier Year: 1860 How historically accurate is it? I think it should be fairly good. I tried to keep the dye choices natural based. I am not sure about the crochet shell boarder though. Hours to complete: Two weeks of bus rides First worn: 22nd September Total cost: The wool was about $35 in total
This crochet tutorial shows how to make an alpine stitch step-by-step. It includes detailed photo instructions and a chart.
