All posts filed under: Historical Sew Fortnightly

The HSF ’14: Challenge #16: Terminology

Of all the challenges in the HSF 2014, Challenge #16, due 1 September, is probably the one I’m most excited about. The theme is Terminology: pick something that’s been defined in the The Great Historical Fashion & Textile Glossary, and sew it up! Terminology posts aren’t the most popular things I write, but they have been my favourite things to write the last few years. I’m a serious history nerd, so I always want to know exactly what something means in a historical sense, and why it means that. I’ve really enjoyed researching each of the terms, so that I could not only define it, but understand where it fit into the societal context of the day, and how the term would be used in relation to similar items of clothing. I’ve also really enjoyed the guests posts which usually explore a term and a textile from an era I don’t usually work in. Whether through my own research and posts, or through guests posts, I’ve learned so much in researching each term, and …

The HSF ’14: Challenge #15: The Great Outdoors

Published by The Dreamstress

I’m a bit behind on the Historical Sew Fortnightly inspiration post thanks to my flu, so I’m trying to catch up this week. Challenge #15, The Great Outdoors, is due 15 August. This challenge celebrates nature, the great outdoors, and all of the things we do in wide open spaces. The oldest outdoor pursuit, is, or course, walking for which you might make Roman sandals, (though these were probably used for long hours spent building walls): Or a smart Regency walking ensemble: Walkings more exciting cousin is mountaineering, which must have been even more exciting in a corset and heavy wool skirt: Another ancient and perennially popular outdoor pursuit is riding. I think 17th century riding habits are a thing of beauty and a joy forever: And 18th century riding habits are also frequently depicted doing double duty as walking wear: More modern riding ensembles are no less adorable, and infinitely more practical In winter, one can go skating, either on ones own two feet, or in this cunning skating chair: A more recent outdoor …

Guess who figured out how to make stockings?

Published by The Dreamstress

Meeeeeeee! They are inspired by the stockings worn by Manet’s Nana: They aren’t perfect because, hey, I’ve only just figured out the pattern, and I didn’t have quite the right shade of blue merino-silk blend knit (also, I doubt I’ll ever be able to find another length of merino-silk knit of any colour), but I am still thrilled with them! Here is what the pattern looks like: They have a centre back seam, and ‘Cuban’ V heel shapes. There is shaping at the heel and ankle to mold the stockings to my foot. To mimic the embroidery that would decorate the front of a real pair of 1870s stockings, I had a cunning idea. I have a whole length of amazing vintage floral trim from the amazing Lynne: I cut out two full repeat motifs, and carefully pinned them to the front of my stockings, making sure that they were perfect mirrors of each other: Then I carefully took off the stockings, slipped them over a metal tray, and sewed them down with silk thread, …