How to best use stunning fabrics to create a wedding dress with a difference. This post looks at the construction details of a 16th century, made to measure outfit for a wedding celebration.
Read MoreWhen the Bride has the fabric but no idea of what style she wants, how to do make the perfect dress? This post is the first in a series describing how the wedding outfits of two very special people were created.
Read MoreUsing a toile or mock up is often over-looked. This post describes an example where the use of the toile allowed for a much better fit than could be achieved in other ways. It describes making a made-to-measure 17th Century singlet for re-enactment of the English Civil War.
Read MoreMaking a new suit for a re-enactor requires some thought on what the re-enactment is and the character that the person will be portraying. This post describes the thought process behind and the construction of the doublet for a 1588 suit of clothes for an apprentice.
Read MoreMaking a new suit for a re-enactor requires some thought on what the re-enactment is and the character that the person will be portraying. This post describes the thought process behind and the construction of the round hose for a 1588 suit of clothes for an apprentice.
Read MoreWhen I needed to make two pairs of trews a few years ago, we found that going back to an academic paper on an Irish bog find was the best way to do it. This led to a very comfortable, practical and, above all, efficient design for trews suitable for a 17th century Highlander dragoone.
Read MoreHow did fashions change through the 16th and 17th centuries? This book follows the lead of an exhibition put on by the Royal Collection Trust showing exactly that.
Read MoreMaking a late 13th century surcote in quarterd colours is not quite as straight forward as it seems.
Read MoreUsing the best available materials to mimic original construction of historical clothing from the 16th and 17th century can reveal a lot about the clothing, its shape and how it was worn. In making a reproduction of a 1640’s doublet, we have used cork to stiffen a belly piece as it was originally done. The results are quite stunning but were they worth the extra effort?
Read MoreHidden conspicuous consumption? This contradiction in terms might apply to the modern interpretation of fashion in the 17th century when we are not all aware of the techniques used to create the various parts of the clothing. I propose that the fashion for tabs on doublets was actually conspicuous consumption, having just finished making 8 of them.
Read MoreGetting to grips with pad stitching to form the curved parts of the doublet in the shoulder and the tabs or laps. This is what distinguishes tailors form seamstresses in the early modern period. Tailors create 3D shapes in fabric. Seamstresses make strong, durable garments that are flat but can be washed lots of times.
Read MoreConstructing a replica of a 1640’s doublet in crimson silk - this post starts a series following the reconstruction of a doublet for use in banqueting and having fun with re-enactment.
Read MoreA description of making a pair of stays using a pattern from Patterns of Fashion 5. Carrying out the fitting and a review of the effectiveness of using the Barra Tape method of scaling up the pattern from the book scale to the client size.
Read MoreA description of making a pair of stays using a pattern from Patterns of Fashion 5. Selecting the pattern, determining the fabric, construction method and fitting method.
Read MoreHow do you work out how much to sell your products for when you have never sold anything before? This post shows roughly how I did it for Properly Dressed.
Read MoreA look back at starting a new business venture and a look forward into the New Year at what might come next.
Read MoreA review of the Modern Maker series by Matthew Gnagy. These excellent books provide a range of advice, techniques and tips on making C16th and C17th clothing in the original manner to get the right shape and look. Using one of the techniques, we have extended its use successfully and present this here too.
Read MoreA discussion of the varying levels of historical accuracy of different re-enactment societies, its purpose and its drawbacks.
Read MoreThe story of one dress through recent history; a story of re-use, re-make and recycle, showing that it really was possible for people to keep re-using fabric over and over for many years and in many garments.
Read MoreA short review of some of the suppliers at this year’s TORM event. The Original Re-enactor’s Market
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