All posts filed under: Historical Sew Fortnightly

An 18th century man-bodice (aka a waistcoat)

Published by The Dreamstress

When I set the Historical Sew Fortnightly Challenge #5 “Bodice” I knew exactly what I wanted to make: a 1720s robe de cour bodice for Mariana Victoria, for the 18th Century Court Dress sew along. And when the challenge was approaching I got started – adapting my Ninon pattern for a later date, dyeing the fabric, cutting the bodice lining, sewing in the boning channels. And then life got in the way. First there was The Project (still ongoing, amazing, and unfortunately I can’t show you photos yet, but soon, I promise!), which is a full time job in and of itself.  Plus I have proper work to keep doing – life goes on and the money must come in. Then, I got a weird virus that is basically Mini-Mono / Glandu-Lite fever (depending on whether you speak Americanese or Kiwish). My MIL had it, Mr D had it, half a dozen friends had it, and it is weird and awful. First you feel tired and run down for 2-3 weeks, with scattered days of …

The HSF ’14: Challenge #11: The Politics of Fashion

Published by The Dreamstress

Fashion is often criticised for being frivolous, pointless and superficial: existing for no purpose, and being driven by nothing but the whims of people with too much time on their hands. People who say this couldn’t be more wrong.  Fashion is one of the truest indicators of the state of society, and as you trace the history of fashion, you see all of the events which changed the world are reflected in changes in clothes, and sometimes changes in clothes change the world. Wars interrupt trade, and lead to changes in the availability of dyes and fibres, which show up in clothes.  Trade routes out of the American South were blockaded during the American Civil War, and Europe and the Norther US had trouble sourcing cotton fabric.  The South, in turn, had trouble sourcing silk and luxury items like buttons.  Not quite a century later, World War II would cause so much unrest and destruction in the Far East that a number of varieties of silkworms went extinct, and certain silks can no longer be …

The HSF ’14: Favourites for Challenges 1-4

Published by The Dreamstress

Hurrah, hurrah!  We’re well started on the HSF 2014!  Four challenges in, and Challenge Five almost due (only I’m going to be late, sigh). Once again I want to highlight some of the things that really inspired me with each challenge, and that  I thought best represent the spirit of the Historical Sew Fortnightly; the quest to explore history, raise our skill levels and standard, stretch ourselves (or sometimes just get something done, rather than just procrastinating);  and  the spirit of the individual challenge. Choosing is even harder this year: there are so many gorgeous creations, so many different time periods, so many levels of experience, so much prettiness and inspiration!  For every challenge I’ve tried to showcase a range of historical periods, ways of approaching a challenge, and levels of experience.  Inevitably, there were exquisite and amazing things that I simple couldn’t showcase, so do have a browse of the links through the challenge pages on my blog, and the HSF facebook albums. Challenge #1 —  Make Do & Mend  (and  the facebook album …