For the "Protection" challenge, I made a chemise to wear for the Civil War Weekend. Chemises, of course, protect your skin from the corset, and your corset (and other clothes) from your skin, and so are a perfect thing to make as an example of a protective garment. This is the pattern I used, which … Continue reading HSM 2016 Challenge #3: Protection
Category: 1860s
HSM 2016 Challenge #2: Tucks and Pleats
Last year at my museum's Civil War Weekend, I was not very well kitted out. I had a decent corset, a good cage from Kay Gnagey (worth the money, by the way), a secondhand dress that fit perfectly, an 1840s chemise that's too tight under the arms, and a knee-length 1950s-style crinoline I used as … Continue reading HSM 2016 Challenge #2: Tucks and Pleats
Re-evaluating C. Frederick Worth
While there are some (many) times that I suspect my gut reactions of being contrary simply for the same of being contrary, at other times my contrariness seems to lead me in the right direction. I've been writing about lesser-known contemporaries of Charles Frederick Worth since 2014 (see my first post on the subject, regarding … Continue reading Re-evaluating C. Frederick Worth
A Very Accurate Costume (HSM #12, Redo – #10, Secret)
It took me forever to figure out what to write for this! I knew that the Redo challenge needed to be October's Secret challenge, which I missed, but Secret was much easier to do while sewing, putting a little secret embroidery or hidden pocket. At last I remembered an historic dress that has its own … Continue reading A Very Accurate Costume (HSM #12, Redo – #10, Secret)
Knitted Garters (HSM #7.1)
This is the first time I've actually made something that fits into the Historical Sew Monthly - it's more of an accident, so I'm still going to do a text post on two lesser-known Regency accessories. But it's an accomplishment I'm proud of! This past weekend was my friend Julie's bridal shower, and for a … Continue reading Knitted Garters (HSM #7.1)
Mimic of Modes 