Hi everyone! Thanks for watching. I hope you found this video to be useful, and I can't wait to release more "Historical Sewing for Beginners" material in the upcoming weeks. Please subscribe to receive updates about future videos 😊
Some quilting ladies call their seam ripper "Jack" the ripper. I was taught to say the unpick. I got a pack of tailor's chalk in 5 colours, I also got an envelope pack of sewing tracing paper in 5 colours, I found the green didn't come off well. I'm still using the same pack around 40 years later. Sewing clips or wooden spring clip pegs can be useful too. I do English paper piecing, and use wooden pegs to hold sets of papers and cut fabric, together, for long times, without rusting. You can get shorter, thinner "lace pins" to leave smaller holes. Stainless steel pins are less likely to rust over time, though moisture can cause that to fail. Somebody showed me years ago, if doing a lot of sewing, put a needle threader through the whole packet of needles, thread the threader and pull through all at once. Pull some thread through to thread the last needle on. Cut thread, leaving enough to wrap around your reel, to hold the extra needles. Unwrap and thread the next needle as needed, put empty needles back in the packet, then do thesame again if still needed. Have you heard about pin-cushions with crushed walnut shell filling, which keeps pins and needles rust free and sharper, you can make them yourself? All the best.
The other bonus item I would include is a sewing bird - quite literally, a bird-shaped item that holds fabric (acting like a 3rd hand). Push down on the tail, the beak opens, put the fabric in, release the tail. It comes in quite useful at times when you really need a 3rd hand. :)
A double tracing wheel? That’s so handy! I personally LOVE my metal thimble, but I do now have this rather strange looking “sewing manicure”, where my right hand middle fingernail is very short, and the rest are quite long. It’s a look, to be sure! 😂
Hahaha sewing manicure, I love it! The double tracing wheel is from Clover I believe, and I saw it on madetosew while buying some other sewing supplies and it's so handy!
I am a vintage person sewing vintage clothes fell in love with sewing two years ago during those Australia pandemic lockdowns and promptly retired at 67 and just sew everyday with a seam ripper as my constant companion Making innaccurate but fun 1780s & 1880 s Australian colonial costumes I started with overlocker given to me and now have twin sewing room ( where my clinic used to be) one computer sewmachine two mechanical and three seam rippers at different station ready to go Meeting you online is wonderful Time to get good sew needle and leather thimble Currently sewing 1910 mens coat and hand sewing the lining I am all ears and eyes for valued teaching Regards Rusty Rooster from the convict colony of Australia
I discovered your channel few days ago and I am "ecstatic". You are what i have been looking for so long. Someone who teaches how to sew by hand and how to make historical garments. Please keep teaching I am following you step by step (without any doubt a lot of others).
I only recently stumpled upon your channel, and I'm hooked! I'm new to historical sowing too, so I've found it really helpful and informative, and I appreciate how "to the point" you explain things :)
Girl, you are not only helpful and sweet, but so funny! A good sense of humour is the most important thing in life. Love your sense of humour. I am just starting on my needlecraft journey. Sending you so much love from London! xxx
Oh wow, this is exactly what I was looking for. I've been struggling to get the right notions and tools for a while now...For example people say "use a short needle to go faster" but the needles recommended are so small that any time saved, I lose trying to thread the needle especially with linen thread.
I can very much understand struggle/frustration! My greatest piece of advice would be experiment with different needles sizes, thread types, tools, etc. and see what works best for you. Just because a short needle works well for some people, doesn’t necessarily mean it will work better for you. Additionally, longer needles also have their advantages as I find they’re far better for gathering thread etc. as you can get a lot more gathers.
I am already familiar with hand sewing but i just wanted to say that your videos are of very high quality and i hope that you will soon be rewarded with a greater audience
Thank you so much for your kind words! It's really been such a pleasure getting to film them and hopefully help some historical fashion enthusiasts out with them 😊
Yes! I’m so surprised that right from the very beginning, her videos were of such high quality- that usually takes a while to work up to. It’s very impressive.
@@katherinemorelle7115 Thank you!! My partner works in film and my background is actually as a professional singer, so I've done quite a bit of filming, editing, producing, that type of thing in the past. I've just been building up my skills over the years until I finally felt ready to start releasing content, and I wanted to do so in a highly professional yet accessible way from the get-go 😊
@@VBirchwood well, you certainly succeeded! Have you shared your videos in historical sewing Facebook groups? They have quite a lot of reach (especially groups like Historybounding), and that might net you a few more (well deserved) followers.
@@katherinemorelle7115 That's very kind of you to say 😊 I have thought about sharing the videos in some of them, but a lot of them have a pretty strict anti-spam/anti promotion policy, so I have yet to really sit down and find groups where it's actually allowed.
Brovo! That was such a fun, very...almost enchanting and informative video! I have watched SO many "beginners hand sewing" tutorials and you taught me something new. I really appreciated how you acknowledged the cost of sewing and, how to be wise in the choices a beginner needs to purchase in order to sew along with you. I hope you include a clean used sheet or old set of curtains along the way, for a good material choice if strapped for cash! With so many young (and young at heart) people really getting excited about Historical Sewing,Cottagecore, and simply learning to sew the clothing pieces they want ,tips like the ones you shared will make it so much more inclusive for all! Well done!! I can't wait to follow along with this beginners tutorial. With happiness, Audri
Hi Audri, Thank you so much for your kind comment! I’m really pleased to hear that this information has proved to be especially helpful. Welcome to the channel 😊
Thanks for posting these videos. I can already tell that your channel is what will probably be just the right channel to help me to get past my "sewers block" and someday soon do my first project in a long, long time.
I've been interested in historical clothes for a while and would love to be able to make them myself. I've never sewn anything in my life but I've just picked up a few supplies from a craft store and going to make a go of at least trying some basic hand stitching!! Hopefully one day I'll be able to make something wearable 😊
Hi, I wanted to ask why you wear your thimble on the thumb? I learned to wear it on the middle finger and wanted to know if that's a historical thing :) Much love and thank you for the great videos!
Thanks so much for the compliments Larissa! With regards to the thimble on the thumb, it's just personal preference. I examined which fingers I use most often to sew, and which one would have the most wear and tear on it, and that was my thumb. I typically use my thumb to push the needle through tough fabrics, and therefore it helps to have the thimble there to sort of serve as friction to get the needle through 4-6 layers of fabric. Hope that's helpful! (Not sure at all if the practice is historical but it's important to do what works best for you.
Here in Finland it's just called "patterning paper"and I was wondering why it's not more common outside of the Nordics. I'm glad to see some people know about it, at least!
Last year when I was at a Gold Rush re-enactment I caught the historical costuming bug...but didn't get around to it until a week ago. I wondered if I was crazy for wanting to hand-stitch, but it is SO inspiring to know there are others out there! I'm beginning with victorian chemise/drawers, and I have some 100% cotton fabric. Would you still recommend linen thread? What weight? I see some things about avoiding mixing types of thread/fabric, and also about avoiding thread marketed as 'multi-purpose'?
Congrats on beginning your project! 😊 I have never been against mixing thread and fabric types personally, as my go to with most projects is a button weight silk thread actually as it’s incredibly strong. On my self sewn undergarments I often use linen thread as I just don’t find cotton thread to be very strong.
I can't live without my dress form (from Shop Co., the best available in the U.S., although Mood Fabrics also offers a dress form that may be made by the same company). Yes, it is more expensive than most of the sewing items you need, but trust me, if you are serious, a dress form is essential. In fact, I am thinking of getting another one, so that I have one in my size (2, petite) and one that is a size used most for designing (4 or 6, standard). They are so much fun... for draping, standing back and looking at the silhouette, for fitting, for showing off your work... Get a dress form! Don't mess around!
you are so serious and composed, and then suddenly you make a joke, but because you're so serious and composed i never know when you're about to deliver a joke. I'm living for it 😂
Hahahaha thank you. I think I have a very dry sense of humour typically anyways, but also because this was one of my very first videos, I'm a lot more stiff and awkward because it's extremely weird talking to a camera lens for the first 6 months 😂
Hello! I really got interested in historical dress and in turn leaning about history the past couple years, and am slightly obsessed 😊 I’m a widowed 31 year old mom with 5 kids and never buy cloths , like never , I’ve always used hand me downs and have never really been into fashion per say but care about modesty which made me weird to other girls when I was little seem more “tom boyish”. Anyways! I had 3 long down to ankle cotton skirts that I interchangeably where and usually always wear a long sleeve black zip up cardigan because that what I have it fits fitted and is snug so that why I like it. But It’s summer now here (I’m from Wilmington Delaware In us) and I’ve just had a couple tank tops to wear and I don’t own or wear bras (I’m small chested, especially after breastfeeding 5 kids in a row) besides that I have a deep hate for bras lol. I really really like 3 quarter length sleeves , just don’t have any. I heard you mention American duchess that a woman or company you can purchase shoes from? Is there any woman that make historical clothing they sell? In a perfect world I’d learn how to sew but yea. I wish I had more help like neighbors and people actually cared about anyone but themselves. My mom has a old singer machine from the 20’s believe but my mom has some issues that make her unavailable. It be cool to find a second hand shop that had some vintage clothing but I can’t see any places having anything earlier than 1990’s if even 80’s LOL I really wish I had some pretty tops like yours! I love what you wear!
Hi Anna! Thank you for your comment 😊 It's lovely to hear you have such an interest in historical clothing. American Duchess is a historical shoe replica company, and they also sell a couple of sewing guide books. They're a great resource. Another place where you can find historical clothing is on Etsy. One of my favourite shops from the US is one called TreadleTreasures (on Etsy) and another great one is Lynnesewingcorner. In general, Etsy is a great place to find all things made by other historical dressmakers/sewists.
I absoutly love my seamripper after my fabric sissors, needles and pins it is my most used tool for I also cut my thread with it. Tiny and very handy ^^ Light fabrics and when you only sew for a limited amount of time are quite forgiving and I do not use a thimble there, but the moment there are more sturdy fabrics or huge seams to saw in one go . . . yeah, a thimble is needed. I too prefere the leather ones for they impair the dexterity less.
If you for some reason don't have a ironingboard or one large enough for the fabric you need ironing, you can use a heavy linen sheet folded up on a table or even om the floor. Be carefull, 'cus treated woodtable or -floor can stain the fabric and the wood will need airing afterwards. I did this for years (only having a crapy little ironingboard to place onto a table) until I recived a large ironingboard for my birthday this month☺️
10:36 I always thought original carbon paper to come in Prussian blue like as in blueprints. According to my sewing professor, authentic carbon paper is now rarely used and thus became kind of expensive. I suppose the yellow and white are newer, cheaper varieties because they come so flimsy. The transfer marks are barely visible than marks from original blue ones. However, the blue is still available. It just cost a bit more. My mother and aunts used to use it for embroidery design transfers back in the day.
Blue carbon copy paper is great absolutely, but yes far more expensive, less accessible. The yellow/white varieties are easily found at sewing supplies stores. They're good with dark fabrics, but not with anything light.
I'd never thought that it was so much more expensive. I haven't really used it since middle school or high school, but I still have some laying around from back then. Never bought it myself though, just have the habit of hoarding supplies I think I might need in the next 20 years. It makes amazingly visible marks.
Ah that's awesome! The contemporary stuff is usually only sold in yellow and white (though I'm sure other colours could be sourced somewhere) so it's great you have some extra variety.
Since this video was made 3 years ago, you probably know by now that cheap scissors won't get you there for long, and it is most important that they will cut at the tips, for more control. Regarding pins, the most important characteristic is that they are very sharp and smooth, and never damage the fabric. Personally, I prefer silk pins with glass bead heads for most of the fabrics I sew on. When it comes to thimbles, if a thimble is a little loose, put your finger in your mouth and wet it a little with saliva; the thimble will stay on your finger, almost too well. If you want to order a thimble, then the diameter of your finger in 16s of an inch is the size you want. For example if the diameter of your finger is 11/16s inches, then order size 11. The diameter of the thimble will be 11/16s and should fit perfectly.
Do you have resources for making the dress you're wearing in this video? I saw a drawing of Maria Branwell wearing something similar and I'm really interested in making one!
Where would you recommend buying historical fabric? I live in the middle of the countryside, but want to be able to order good quality fabrics for historical sewing.
@@eileenmarie1652 I would actually recommend ordering from the US instead, if you're closer to them. For the US, I recommend Burnley and Trowbridge: burnleyandtrowbridge.com/ and FancyStylesFabrics: fancystylesfabric.com/ Both of these companies do incredible historical replica fabrics and have tons of options! Burnley and Trowbridge also has historically accurate sewing supplies like thread, notions, etc.
rotary cutters can be good/helpful for those with hand problems (speaking from my own experience and my mom trying out a rotary cutter and her hands are worse than mine are)
Hahaha making mistakes is a good thing! (And natural). I put it in the non-essential category because you can technically unlock seams just with scissors (this method I find works a lot better for hand sewn back stitches than a seam ripper) so because of that I just popped it into the “if you have a little extra money to spend” category 😂
Glad to hear it, Andrea! I have a video on finding fabrics on my channel (it's titled something like "Save £ Shopping for Historical Fabrics", but to summarise it, some of my favourite places in the UK are AmoThreads (very cheap prices, but you'll have to check back regularly because it's deadstock and always changes) and checking for remnants and seconds on Etsy along with eBay. Fancy Styles Fabric is US-based and they used to have a weekly live stream show on Instagram where they'd sell many remnants of silk for cheap prices but it has since been halted. It's meant to start up again soon. Because of their discounts, the prices tend to work themselves out even with shipping and customs. I also regularly check the sales of Top Fabrics UK, as well as the Europe-based company Nehelenia Patterns. The final place I can recommend is UK-based historical costuming Facebook groups. People are very often selling their unwanted fabrics for great prices. Facebook Marketplace also sometimes has individuals selling off their fabric stashes. I managed to buy a large quantity of wools and linens in this way about a year ago, all for around £100. Hope this helps!
Well there really are no rules nowadays. You can wear whatever you’d like to. Day dresses are always a nice option because they’re very versatile. Riding habits or walking suits could also work too. For evening events, considering that even the most “casual” historical attire would be considered quite formal now, really just anything that your heart desires. The most important thing is that you enjoy wearing the garments you’re making, the rest really doesn’t matter in our world because we live in a completely different time now.
Absolutely! It’s completely customisable to whatever you want to make it with. Also it’s an under petticoat, but for an outer petticoat with 18th century, it would be a similar design, just full length and then there would be two side openings and two sets of ties, one to secure to the front of your waist, and one to secure to the back.
@@VBirchwood i am confused as to how i will go full 18th century because i have no idea what i am doing but im gonna try it (I really want to go full Georgian/18th century) Also if you have any tips on how to convert drawings to cloths that would be nice :)
If you google “layers of 18th century clothing” it may help to explain better the different elements. I would recommend just doing as much research and reading on the topic as you can, and look at lots of images of the clothes to get a sense for how it was. To get started, I’d recommend buying patterns as that will be the easiest way to get familiar with the shapes.
I would have to disagree with you on the seam ripper the seam ripper is an absolute necessity expertly when you are first starting. they are only a dollar at the most.
Fair enough! I often just unpick seams with embroidery scissors, as I find hand sewing stitches (like small back stitches) to be quite dangerous to remove with a seam ripper as it often tears the fabric too. I haven't sewn with an electric machine since I was like 6 years old (and then it was just a few straight stitches for fun), so I wouldn't know for machine sewing what it's like. Also, it still made the list so it is still an important tool, just one that's possible to skip in my opinion if one has a good pair of embroidery scissors. In particular in the case of hand sewing.
Lol, two sets is too many pins? As someone who has been sewing for nearly 20 years, not a thing. Just don't get the ones with the plastic top, they exist with glass tops. You want to be able to iron your fabric with pins in it. I just ordered myself brass pins for christmas 🖤 Will probably only use them when sewing in public.
Ah in this case not two sets of pin, just two different types. I have a bunch of sets of the same pins that I really like (I.e. the metal ones and not the plastic tipped ones). The brass pins will be lovely!
@@VBirchwood I have the kit so could follow Bernadette's video and make my own. Yes, I do realise what I have just typed and will go solve my own problem. Muppet moment. I am going to make my own clothes for fit and design more than anything else however really like the Victorian period. Basil Rathbone is my jam.
Hello, I'm a recent viewer. You've probably answered this question in one of your videos. May I ask what is your nationality/ethnicity? Your accent seems American but your genetic appearance is hard for me to identify. Its one of my hobbies to track genetic appearances to various regions of the world.
I am kind of intrigued by how sewing needles is made in the pre-industrial era. Historical needles. It probably is done by a blacksmith in the workshop using hand tools. I just explored on handmade needles using stainless steel wire and the results is quite intriguing. And the way I made it kind of explain why most contemporary needle eyes has a sloped contour to it. ruclips.net/video/8xNJDMHe5zw/видео.htmlsi=oBHav9yTvQZveu7H
Hi everyone! Thanks for watching. I hope you found this video to be useful, and I can't wait to release more "Historical Sewing for Beginners" material in the upcoming weeks. Please subscribe to receive updates about future videos 😊
Some quilting ladies call their seam ripper "Jack" the ripper. I was taught to say the unpick. I got a pack of tailor's chalk in 5 colours, I also got an envelope pack of sewing tracing paper in 5 colours, I found the green didn't come off well. I'm still using the same pack around 40 years later. Sewing clips or wooden spring clip pegs can be useful too. I do English paper piecing, and use wooden pegs to hold sets of papers and cut fabric, together, for long times, without rusting. You can get shorter, thinner "lace pins" to leave smaller holes. Stainless steel pins are less likely to rust over time, though moisture can cause that to fail. Somebody showed me years ago, if doing a lot of sewing, put a needle threader through the whole packet of needles, thread the threader and pull through all at once. Pull some thread through to thread the last needle on. Cut thread, leaving enough to wrap around your reel, to hold the extra needles. Unwrap and thread the next needle as needed, put empty needles back in the packet, then do thesame again if still needed. Have you heard about pin-cushions with crushed walnut shell filling, which keeps pins and needles rust free and sharper, you can make them yourself? All the best.
The other bonus item I would include is a sewing bird - quite literally, a bird-shaped item that holds fabric (acting like a 3rd hand). Push down on the tail, the beak opens, put the fabric in, release the tail. It comes in quite useful at times when you really need a 3rd hand. :)
I’m so happy to find someone else who’s getting into History Bounding. I’m in love with your dress here. It’s so beautiful.
Thank you so much!!
A double tracing wheel? That’s so handy!
I personally LOVE my metal thimble, but I do now have this rather strange looking “sewing manicure”, where my right hand middle fingernail is very short, and the rest are quite long. It’s a look, to be sure! 😂
Hahaha sewing manicure, I love it! The double tracing wheel is from Clover I believe, and I saw it on madetosew while buying some other sewing supplies and it's so handy!
What a beautiful dress.
I am a vintage person sewing vintage
clothes fell in love with sewing two years ago during those Australia pandemic lockdowns and promptly retired
at 67 and just sew everyday with a seam ripper as my constant companion
Making innaccurate but fun 1780s
& 1880 s Australian colonial costumes
I started with overlocker given to me
and now have twin sewing room ( where
my clinic used to be) one computer sewmachine two mechanical and three seam rippers at different station ready to go
Meeting you online is wonderful
Time to get good sew needle and leather thimble
Currently sewing 1910 mens coat and
hand sewing the lining
I am all ears and eyes for valued teaching
Regards
Rusty Rooster from the convict colony of Australia
I discovered your channel few days ago and I am "ecstatic".
You are what i have been looking for so long. Someone who teaches how to sew by hand and how to make historical garments.
Please keep teaching I am following you step by step (without any doubt a lot of others).
Me too! I’m very excited that I found such an interesting and informative pocket of the internet.
I only recently stumpled upon your channel, and I'm hooked! I'm new to historical sowing too, so I've found it really helpful and informative, and I appreciate how "to the point" you explain things :)
Welcome to the channel! I’m really happy to hear that everything has been so helpful and informative. Thank you for your comment 🙂
Girl, you are not only helpful and sweet, but so funny! A good sense of humour is the most important thing in life. Love your sense of humour. I am just starting on my needlecraft journey. Sending you so much love from London! xxx
Sew adorable!
New favorite. Just started doing more hand sewing.
Oh wow, this is exactly what I was looking for. I've been struggling to get the right notions and tools for a while now...For example people say "use a short needle to go faster" but the needles recommended are so small that any time saved, I lose trying to thread the needle especially with linen thread.
I can very much understand struggle/frustration! My greatest piece of advice would be experiment with different needles sizes, thread types, tools, etc. and see what works best for you. Just because a short needle works well for some people, doesn’t necessarily mean it will work better for you. Additionally, longer needles also have their advantages as I find they’re far better for gathering thread etc. as you can get a lot more gathers.
I am already familiar with hand sewing but i just wanted to say that your videos are of very high quality and i hope that you will soon be rewarded with a greater audience
Thank you so much for your kind words! It's really been such a pleasure getting to film them and hopefully help some historical fashion enthusiasts out with them 😊
Yes! I’m so surprised that right from the very beginning, her videos were of such high quality- that usually takes a while to work up to. It’s very impressive.
@@katherinemorelle7115 Thank you!! My partner works in film and my background is actually as a professional singer, so I've done quite a bit of filming, editing, producing, that type of thing in the past. I've just been building up my skills over the years until I finally felt ready to start releasing content, and I wanted to do so in a highly professional yet accessible way from the get-go 😊
@@VBirchwood well, you certainly succeeded!
Have you shared your videos in historical sewing Facebook groups? They have quite a lot of reach (especially groups like Historybounding), and that might net you a few more (well deserved) followers.
@@katherinemorelle7115 That's very kind of you to say 😊 I have thought about sharing the videos in some of them, but a lot of them have a pretty strict anti-spam/anti promotion policy, so I have yet to really sit down and find groups where it's actually allowed.
Brovo! That was such a fun, very...almost enchanting and informative video! I have watched SO many "beginners hand sewing" tutorials and you taught me something new. I really appreciated how you acknowledged the cost of sewing and, how to be wise in the choices a beginner needs to purchase in order to sew along with you. I hope you include a clean used sheet or old set of curtains along the way, for a good material choice if strapped for cash! With so many young (and young at heart) people really getting excited about Historical Sewing,Cottagecore, and simply learning to sew the clothing pieces they want ,tips like the ones you shared will make it so much more inclusive for all! Well done!! I can't wait to follow along with this beginners tutorial.
With happiness,
Audri
Hi Audri,
Thank you so much for your kind comment! I’m really pleased to hear that this information has proved to be especially helpful. Welcome to the channel 😊
Thanks for posting these videos. I can already tell that your channel is what will probably be just the right channel to help me to get past my "sewers block" and someday soon do my first project in a long, long time.
That's so lovely to hear! I'm glad they're proving helpful 😊
I've been interested in historical clothes for a while and would love to be able to make them myself. I've never sewn anything in my life but I've just picked up a few supplies from a craft store and going to make a go of at least trying some basic hand stitching!! Hopefully one day I'll be able to make something wearable 😊
Thank you so much for your videos...I love yo sew by hand instead of sewing machine...just like the olden days!
The birth of a Legend
Everything about this is exactly what I've been looking for, and done so well. Thank you very much!
That's lovely to hear, I'm so glad it has been useful. Thanks for your comment 😊
Hi, I wanted to ask why you wear your thimble on the thumb? I learned to wear it on the middle finger and wanted to know if that's a historical thing :)
Much love and thank you for the great videos!
Thanks so much for the compliments Larissa! With regards to the thimble on the thumb, it's just personal preference. I examined which fingers I use most often to sew, and which one would have the most wear and tear on it, and that was my thumb. I typically use my thumb to push the needle through tough fabrics, and therefore it helps to have the thimble there to sort of serve as friction to get the needle through 4-6 layers of fabric. Hope that's helpful! (Not sure at all if the practice is historical but it's important to do what works best for you.
Sailors put the thimble on the thumb.
I use it on my ring finger because I get more.control holding the needle with forefinger and middle finger
I always prick my left thumb so I wind up with a thimble on each hand lol😂
I'm gonna have to try this Swedish Tracing Paper. Thanks!
Fiskars, that's a real quality option. 🤩
Wonderful you had someone pass skills on... 👍❤️
Lovely dress.
Thank you!
Swedish traceing paper is a great recommendation ^^
Thanks Ariane 😊 It's the best!
Here in Finland it's just called "patterning paper"and I was wondering why it's not more common outside of the Nordics. I'm glad to see some people know about it, at least!
I have found that waxing cotton thread can be helpfull
Last year when I was at a Gold Rush re-enactment I caught the historical costuming bug...but didn't get around to it until a week ago. I wondered if I was crazy for wanting to hand-stitch, but it is SO inspiring to know there are others out there!
I'm beginning with victorian chemise/drawers, and I have some 100% cotton fabric. Would you still recommend linen thread? What weight? I see some things about avoiding mixing types of thread/fabric, and also about avoiding thread marketed as 'multi-purpose'?
Congrats on beginning your project! 😊 I have never been against mixing thread and fabric types personally, as my go to with most projects is a button weight silk thread actually as it’s incredibly strong. On my self sewn undergarments I often use linen thread as I just don’t find cotton thread to be very strong.
I can't live without my dress form (from Shop Co., the best available in the U.S., although Mood Fabrics also offers a dress form that may be made by the same company). Yes, it is more expensive than most of the sewing items you need, but trust me, if you are serious, a dress form is essential. In fact, I am thinking of getting another one, so that I have one in my size (2, petite) and one that is a size used most for designing (4 or 6, standard). They are so much fun... for draping, standing back and looking at the silhouette, for fitting, for showing off your work... Get a dress form! Don't mess around!
An alternative to Swedish tracing paper is baking/greaseproof paper, available from your local supermarket, although some are better than others.
you are so serious and composed, and then suddenly you make a joke, but because you're so serious and composed i never know when you're about to deliver a joke. I'm living for it 😂
Hahahaha thank you. I think I have a very dry sense of humour typically anyways, but also because this was one of my very first videos, I'm a lot more stiff and awkward because it's extremely weird talking to a camera lens for the first 6 months 😂
Hello! I really got interested in historical dress and in turn leaning about history the past couple years, and am slightly obsessed 😊 I’m a widowed 31 year old mom with 5 kids and never buy cloths , like never , I’ve always used hand me downs and have never really been into fashion per say but care about modesty which made me weird to other girls when I was little seem more “tom boyish”. Anyways! I had 3 long down to ankle cotton skirts that I interchangeably where and usually always wear a long sleeve black zip up cardigan because that what I have it fits fitted and is snug so that why I like it. But It’s summer now here (I’m from Wilmington Delaware In us) and I’ve just had a couple tank tops to wear and I don’t own or wear bras (I’m small chested, especially after breastfeeding 5 kids in a row) besides that I have a deep hate for bras lol. I really really like 3 quarter length sleeves , just don’t have any. I heard you mention American duchess that a woman or company you can purchase shoes from? Is there any woman that make historical clothing they sell? In a perfect world I’d learn how to sew but yea. I wish I had more help like neighbors and people actually cared about anyone but themselves. My mom has a old singer machine from the 20’s believe but my mom has some issues that make her unavailable. It be cool to find a second hand shop that had some vintage clothing but I can’t see any places having anything earlier than 1990’s if even 80’s LOL
I really wish I had some pretty tops like yours! I love what you wear!
Hi Anna! Thank you for your comment 😊 It's lovely to hear you have such an interest in historical clothing. American Duchess is a historical shoe replica company, and they also sell a couple of sewing guide books. They're a great resource. Another place where you can find historical clothing is on Etsy. One of my favourite shops from the US is one called TreadleTreasures (on Etsy) and another great one is Lynnesewingcorner. In general, Etsy is a great place to find all things made by other historical dressmakers/sewists.
Great video! Thank you for sharing
I absoutly love my seamripper after my fabric sissors, needles and pins it is my most used tool for I also cut my thread with it. Tiny and very handy ^^
Light fabrics and when you only sew for a limited amount of time are quite forgiving and I do not use a thimble there, but the moment there are more sturdy fabrics or huge seams to saw in one go . . . yeah, a thimble is needed. I too prefere the leather ones for they impair the dexterity less.
Awesome and informative video!!
Also, I loved the little blooper reel at the end ❤️😂
Thank you sweetie, big hugs ❣
I’m so glad I found your channel!
I'm so glad you're here! 😊
Thank you.
Thank u so much 4 sharing❤
Enjoying these so much!
thank you darling!
If you for some reason don't have a ironingboard or one large enough for the fabric you need ironing, you can use a heavy linen sheet folded up on a table or even om the floor. Be carefull, 'cus treated woodtable or -floor can stain the fabric and the wood will need airing afterwards.
I did this for years (only having a crapy little ironingboard to place onto a table) until I recived a large ironingboard for my birthday this month☺️
That’s a wonderful tip, thanks so much! 😊
Interesting choices... 😳
A clapper to use in tandem with the iron.
10:36 I always thought original carbon paper to come in Prussian blue like as in blueprints. According to my sewing professor, authentic carbon paper is now rarely used and thus became kind of expensive.
I suppose the yellow and white are newer, cheaper varieties because they come so flimsy. The transfer marks are barely visible than marks from original blue ones. However, the blue is still available. It just cost a bit more. My mother and aunts used to use it for embroidery design transfers back in the day.
Blue carbon copy paper is great absolutely, but yes far more expensive, less accessible. The yellow/white varieties are easily found at sewing supplies stores. They're good with dark fabrics, but not with anything light.
I'd never thought that it was so much more expensive. I haven't really used it since middle school or high school, but I still have some laying around from back then. Never bought it myself though, just have the habit of hoarding supplies I think I might need in the next 20 years. It makes amazingly visible marks.
I remember blue transfer paper. My mom used it making clothes for me and my brother in the sixties when we were kids!
I still have some from the 1970s
Logical. I love that!
Thank you!
I have vintage carbon copy paper in various colors red, blue, yellow and white
Ah that's awesome! The contemporary stuff is usually only sold in yellow and white (though I'm sure other colours could be sourced somewhere) so it's great you have some extra variety.
I love your dress in this video! What pattern did you use? I must find a pattern for this!
Since this video was made 3 years ago, you probably know by now that cheap scissors won't get you there for long, and it is most important that they will cut at the tips, for more control. Regarding pins, the most important characteristic is that they are very sharp and smooth, and never damage the fabric. Personally, I prefer silk pins with glass bead heads for most of the fabrics I sew on. When it comes to thimbles, if a thimble is a little loose, put your finger in your mouth and wet it a little with saliva; the thimble will stay on your finger, almost too well. If you want to order a thimble, then the diameter of your finger in 16s of an inch is the size you want. For example if the diameter of your finger is 11/16s inches, then order size 11. The diameter of the thimble will be 11/16s and should fit perfectly.
Do you have resources for making the dress you're wearing in this video? I saw a drawing of Maria Branwell wearing something similar and I'm really interested in making one!
Très belle. Félicitations, intéressant.
Merci beaucoup ☺️
Very useful! 👍
I have a sausage that my mom made years ago using tightly rolled up magazines or newspaper, covered in muslin.
May I ask what you are wearing? It is stunning but I’m not sure which era it is from and wear.
Thank you!! It’s a British/French style mid-18th century gown 😊
Here in northern Australia, we call seam rippers....." Quick un-pick".
Hahaha what a fun name
Where would you recommend buying historical fabric? I live in the middle of the countryside, but want to be able to order good quality fabrics for historical sewing.
Are you in the UK? 😊
@@VBirchwood I am not, but I am willing to order from the UK!
@@eileenmarie1652 I would actually recommend ordering from the US instead, if you're closer to them.
For the US, I recommend Burnley and Trowbridge: burnleyandtrowbridge.com/
and FancyStylesFabrics: fancystylesfabric.com/
Both of these companies do incredible historical replica fabrics and have tons of options! Burnley and Trowbridge also has historically accurate sewing supplies like thread, notions, etc.
@@VBirchwood thank you so much!
@@eileenmarie1652 it's my pleasure! Please do let me know if you have any more questions 😊
rotary cutters can be good/helpful for those with hand problems (speaking from my own experience and my mom trying out a rotary cutter and her hands are worse than mine are)
Yes! Rotary cutters are brilliant for improved accessibility definitely!
You can also sew your own tailor's ham, there are patterns available.
I would definitely say a seam ripper is essential, but maybe I just make a lot of mistakes 😂
Hahaha making mistakes is a good thing! (And natural). I put it in the non-essential category because you can technically unlock seams just with scissors (this method I find works a lot better for hand sewn back stitches than a seam ripper) so because of that I just popped it into the “if you have a little extra money to spend” category 😂
#1 fabric scissors! Perfect.
BOOM
Hi Vasi, I found this really useful. Can you tell me where to order fabrics if you are in the UK?
Glad to hear it, Andrea! I have a video on finding fabrics on my channel (it's titled something like "Save £ Shopping for Historical Fabrics", but to summarise it, some of my favourite places in the UK are AmoThreads (very cheap prices, but you'll have to check back regularly because it's deadstock and always changes) and checking for remnants and seconds on Etsy along with eBay. Fancy Styles Fabric is US-based and they used to have a weekly live stream show on Instagram where they'd sell many remnants of silk for cheap prices but it has since been halted. It's meant to start up again soon. Because of their discounts, the prices tend to work themselves out even with shipping and customs. I also regularly check the sales of Top Fabrics UK, as well as the Europe-based company Nehelenia Patterns. The final place I can recommend is UK-based historical costuming Facebook groups. People are very often selling their unwanted fabrics for great prices. Facebook Marketplace also sometimes has individuals selling off their fabric stashes. I managed to buy a large quantity of wools and linens in this way about a year ago, all for around £100. Hope this helps!
@@VBirchwood Thanks so much for this, Vasi, that’s brilliant. I will check them all out ❤️
You can use a towel and a table if you don’t have an ironing bord I live in an rv so this is easier 😂
I bought a small sewing kit and saw that it came with items that I really don't use, like tapestry needles.
Do you have a link for mulberry silks thread?
It’s in the description box 😊 I also mostly shop these days with another store called DeVere Yarns as they have more variety.
Hello, so if i go out, maybe to the mall or a formal event what could i wear?
Well there really are no rules nowadays. You can wear whatever you’d like to. Day dresses are always a nice option because they’re very versatile. Riding habits or walking suits could also work too. For evening events, considering that even the most “casual” historical attire would be considered quite formal now, really just anything that your heart desires. The most important thing is that you enjoy wearing the garments you’re making, the rest really doesn’t matter in our world because we live in a completely different time now.
@@VBirchwood For the petticoat video that you made is it possible to replace the fabric with something else?
Absolutely! It’s completely customisable to whatever you want to make it with. Also it’s an under petticoat, but for an outer petticoat with 18th century, it would be a similar design, just full length and then there would be two side openings and two sets of ties, one to secure to the front of your waist, and one to secure to the back.
@@VBirchwood i am confused as to how i will go full 18th century because i have no idea what i am doing but im gonna try it
(I really want to go full Georgian/18th century)
Also if you have any tips on how to convert drawings to cloths that would be nice :)
If you google “layers of 18th century clothing” it may help to explain better the different elements. I would recommend just doing as much research and reading on the topic as you can, and look at lots of images of the clothes to get a sense for how it was. To get started, I’d recommend buying patterns as that will be the easiest way to get familiar with the shapes.
I would have to disagree with you on the seam ripper the seam ripper is an absolute necessity expertly when you are first starting. they are only a dollar at the most.
Fair enough! I often just unpick seams with embroidery scissors, as I find hand sewing stitches (like small back stitches) to be quite dangerous to remove with a seam ripper as it often tears the fabric too. I haven't sewn with an electric machine since I was like 6 years old (and then it was just a few straight stitches for fun), so I wouldn't know for machine sewing what it's like. Also, it still made the list so it is still an important tool, just one that's possible to skip in my opinion if one has a good pair of embroidery scissors. In particular in the case of hand sewing.
“Thumble”?
Lol, two sets is too many pins? As someone who has been sewing for nearly 20 years, not a thing. Just don't get the ones with the plastic top, they exist with glass tops. You want to be able to iron your fabric with pins in it.
I just ordered myself brass pins for christmas 🖤 Will probably only use them when sewing in public.
Ah in this case not two sets of pin, just two different types. I have a bunch of sets of the same pins that I really like (I.e. the metal ones and not the plastic tipped ones). The brass pins will be lovely!
@@VBirchwood Fair. My mom is totally into plain metal pins.
I however suck at taking them out, so it's glass head pins for me.
LOL Timbles to small, I have the opposite problem. Think I need to find a tailor supplier.
A leather thimble perhaps might work well? They tend to be available in larger sizes it seems.
@@VBirchwood I have the kit so could follow Bernadette's video and make my own. Yes, I do realise what I have just typed and will go solve my own problem. Muppet moment. I am going to make my own clothes for fit and design more than anything else however really like the Victorian period. Basil Rathbone is my jam.
Are you Canadian?
Hello, I'm a recent viewer. You've probably answered this question in one of your videos. May I ask what is your nationality/ethnicity? Your accent seems American but your genetic appearance is hard for me to identify.
Its one of my hobbies to track genetic appearances to various regions of the world.
You're easily one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen.
Girl, You're Thicker than a Bowl of Oatmeal!👍
😂 😂
Couldn’t you just adapt to a modern version?
I am kind of intrigued by how sewing needles is made in the pre-industrial era. Historical needles.
It probably is done by a blacksmith in the workshop using hand tools.
I just explored on handmade needles using stainless steel wire and the results is quite intriguing. And the way I made it kind of explain why most contemporary needle eyes has a sloped contour to it.
ruclips.net/video/8xNJDMHe5zw/видео.htmlsi=oBHav9yTvQZveu7H
oh not suppose to have blood on you fabric?
It's impossible not to!
Brain freeze.
Thank you.