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 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 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 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 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 MoreHow do C17th breeches close at the front? Probably not the way we have tended to make, looking pack from our modern stand point. This blog looks at one alternative method.
Read MoreA review of the series of research pamphlets called “Clothes of the Common People of Elizabethan and Early Stuart England” as a source for making re-enactment costume.
Read MoreThe final post on making a 1630 high fashion outfit.
Read MoreMaking the accessories for a 1630’s fashion gown have given the dress something very special and set off the look perfectly.
Read MorePart three in the story of making a 1630’s high fashion outfit.
Read MorePart two of the construction of a banqueting gown for the seventeenth century.
Read MoreThe design and creation of a silk seventeenth century dress
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