Grandeur & Frivolity – the 1770s suit
I’m pretty happy with my 1770’s man’s suit, especially as it is my first real go at 18th century menswear, but I do still want to make some tweaks to it. Even so, I was quite pleased with how it looked...
View ArticleThe 18th century man’s jacket: construction & fittings
I didn’t take a lot of construction photos while I made the 18th century man’s jacket, but I’ll do my best to explain how I made it. I’m sure it is not a historically accurate technique, but it made a...
View Article18th century menswear: the waistcoat
I’ve told you all about the 18th century jacket I made. Â Here are the construction details of the waistcoat that goes with it. The mostly finished waistcoat The fabric is a white cotton with a...
View ArticleSewing a set of ill-begotten stays
Some time ago, I decided I needed another pair of stays, and started on a set.  And they’ve been nothing but trouble since then.  They are almost making #4 on the list of evil things. First there...
View ArticleThese are the stays that never end
I’m still working on my ill-begotten silver stays. Â They are not moving very fast, partly because I haven’t had a lot of free time, but mostly because they are cursed. Every time I take them somewhere...
View ArticleFinished project: the very dreadful silver stays
Well, for better or worse the silver stays of doom are finally done. For all their evilness, laid flat they rather remind me of angel wings They continued their inclination to bad luck through the last...
View ArticleRate the Dress: Summer of 1778
Despite the possible oddness and uncomfortableness of a boned skirt, and not everyone getting the Japanese influence (it was the best sort of influence – very subtle, most Japanese in that respect,...
View ArticleBaroque & Rococo Out-takes
Last week I was privileged enough to do a photoshoot with Mandi of A La Mode Photography for Radio New Zealand.  The photoshoot will be featured on the Radio NZ website to coincide with a programme...
View ArticlePanier Along #1: Pattern pieces
Yay! Â Hello! Â Welcome to the Panier-Along! Â Over the next two weeks I’ll be walking you through making 1770sish paniers. To start with, check out the Materials List. Now that you have all your...
View ArticleRate the Dress: a 1770s belle in lacy bells?
Last week I showed you Elizabeth Craven, Lady Powis, in her all-over embroidered early-Stuart jacket and skirt. Â It’s an outfit that I love SO MUCH. Â Everything about it makes me happy. Â It’s got...
View Article
More Pages to Explore .....