I uploaded a basic operation video to YouTube some months ago, and followed that up recently with instructions on how to wind a bobbin on the 15k.
I am now providing a link to a scan of my original manual in the hope that it will be of use.
Warp, weft, bias grains for beginners… and why garments twist!
Have you ever had a garment where the side-seams twist after washing a couple of times?
Here’s an explanation: grain line!
This video explores the topic, demonstrates the directions on my vintage childhood Spear’s heddle weaving loom, and shows how to distinguish between warp and weft on fabric that’s already been cut.
Dress Shields / Sweat Guards
Sweating is an important bodily function – through perspiring, our body cools itself.
But there are aesthetic side effects to this process. Most noticeable, is the dreaded sweat patch.
Making the Victorian Symington Pretty Housemaid corset (1890s) – phase 3
One of the biggest things I wanted to do on the second half of this corset was to leave myself even more seam allowance than I’d initially left.
Unfortunately, I forgot that I cut the burlap & canvas for the second half.
for both halves at the same time.
So though I made sure that the top two panels on the
second half had more seam allowance, I was restricted
by the underlayers and still couldn’t treat the seams
as I had hoped.
Continue reading “Making the Victorian Symington Pretty Housemaid corset (1890s) – phase 3”
Making the Victorian Symington Pretty Housemaid corset (1890s) – phase 2
Phase Two begins with preparing the panels for cording. Continue reading “Making the Victorian Symington Pretty Housemaid corset (1890s) – phase 2”
A Talk on Shirt Waists (cutting and fitting suggestions from 1914)
When working on the mockup for my 1890s Cutaway Jacket, I found different areas that seemed to have less than clear instructions. In some cases, I had to altogether guess (using the diagram provided as guidance, though it was disconcerting when the clearly described points on my draft seemed to be completely off from the diagram!).
The areas causing difficulty were primarily the neck, shoulder, and armscye.
The complication was that with each adjustment, there seemed to be a knock-on effect elsewhere!
Taking the shoulder up would cause the neck to be smaller and the armscye to be larger.
Taking the underarm seam in caused a fold of fabric to form along the outer bust.
Finally, after weeks of manipulating, basting, fitting, un-basting, re-basting … etc., I came across an article written by Minnie Berry, titled ‘A Talk on Shirt Waists’ from the April 15, 1914 issue of “Farm, Stock and Home”.
It confirmed my observations, but offered some pretty clear troubleshooting advice.
The guidelines are appropriate, I am sure, for any type of upper garment that you need to fit – be it a bodice, shirtwaist, or jacket – and are the most comprehensive instructions I’ve read on the subject.
Do you have any bust/shoulder/arm/neck fitting tips?
See below the excerpt for a couple of additional resources that I found helpful. Continue reading “A Talk on Shirt Waists (cutting and fitting suggestions from 1914)”
Crown Royal face masks
Crown Royal dates back to 1939, when Seagram’s introduced a new product in honor of the first ever visit from Britain’s reigning monarchs.
In the middle of COVID-19 quarantining, I was approached by a dear friend to take his Crown Royal bags and turn them into face masks.
I saw a number of different people doing this with varying degrees of quality, so I decided to task myself with finding a pattern and method that would display the text with prominence but also render a sturdy, well-fitting mask.
Nearly 40 yards of bias strips, quickly and efficiently
As I write this, I’m in the midst of a face-mask sewing marathon. The past 4 days, where I have worked on this project from waking until sleeping, feel more like 14. Continue reading “Nearly 40 yards of bias strips, quickly and efficiently”
Planning an “every day” Victorian style blazer jacket
This has been a tricky one to navigate!
On one hand, I’ve wanted to have a more historically-inspired wardrobe – but on the other hand, I’m acutely aware of just how full my wardrobe is at the moment.
I’m not a person taken by the fast-fashion of today.
My clothes (aside from underwear, t-shirts, and perhaps a small handful of other items) have been purchased or received second-hand … and most of my clothes are worn until they cannot be worn anymore.
The funny twist here, is that I’ve also received lots of “second-hand” fabric over the years! My stash is HUGE and most of it is stuff I’ve not had to pay for!
So you could say that I’m in a double-predicament!
Continue reading “Planning an “every day” Victorian style blazer jacket”
Creating an outfit: Two Centuries Collide – 1860s meets 1960s
In January 2018, I was looking through images of “Boho” style skirts and dresses (whilst dreaming of summer) and the thought crossed my mind that an 1860s skirt paired with a 1960s cropped top, brought together with a corset (which would be on display over the mid-section) might be a fun ensemble!
It took nearly two years for the project to come together, but here’s what happened.
Continue reading “Creating an outfit: Two Centuries Collide – 1860s meets 1960s”