My Victorian black wool dress is completely sewn by hand: it took me 28 hours to hand-sew the dress! I used thin 100% wool broadcloth and the dress is partly lined with cotton fabric. And even if the Victorian dress is black, it’s not a mourning dress! A dress like this would’ve been worn as expensive but serviceable everyday dress in the Victorian era. Continue reading Victorian Black Wool Dress
A vintage sewing hack how to sew perfect scallops quick and easy by hand! Embellish your dresses and blouses with a perfect scalloped hem.
Scalloped edges were very popular in the Victorian and Edwardian era: dresses, blouses, petticoats, chemises and nightgowns – all were trimmed with hand-stitched scallops. Continue reading How To Sew Scallops By Hand – Quick & Easy Hand Shell Edge
Learn 6 different vintage ways to insert lace and improve your heirloom sewing skills! So if you’re wondering how to add lace trim like in earlier times, read on.
Today, lace is usually inserted with zigzag stitches by machine. But in past, lace was either inserted by hand or with a straight-stitch sewing machine. In this tutorial I’ll show you 6 ways how to insert lace by hand or with straight stitches by machine. Let me know in the comments what’s your favorite way to insert lace! 😀 Continue reading 6 Ways How To Insert Lace – Heirloom Sewing Tutorial
We finally had time to take photos of my handmade Edwardian lace petticoat. I love how the petticoat turned out! Besides my Edwardian silk corset, it’s my favorite historical piece so far! Continue reading Edwardian Lace Petticoat
This DIY recycled denim baseball is made from old jeans! A fun, easy, cheap and eco-friendly way to upcycle your jeans!
Make this recycled denim baseball as soft fabric ball for your baby or toddler, for your cat or dog. It’s the perfect toy for a dog that loves to fetch – like my GSD pup Khaleesi! The recycled denim baseball is a safe alternative to the usual tennis ball. Continue reading DIY Recycled Denim Baseball – Tutorial & Free Pattern
Upcycle ugly, ill-fitting espadrilles into cute DIY espadrilles that match your outfit!
I made shoes again! Yay! 😀 This time I upcycled ugly espadrilles that didn’t fit very well. I used leftover mint-green denim fabric from my jeans-to-skirt refashion and made matching mint green espadrilles! I love how they turned out and they’re so comfortable to wear! Continue reading DIY Espadrilles – Shoe Making Tutorial
This is part two about my 1950s-style dress with close-up pictures and constructions details. Continue reading 1950s-Style Pink Gingham Dress – Details
Pink is one of my favorite colors and I absolutely love gingham – I think pink gingham looks so summery! So some years ago I sewed this 1950s-style dress with pink and white gingham. Continue reading 1950s-Style Pink Gingham Dress
At the moment I’m making a DIY tape lace collar for my 1920s rayon chiffon dress. But instead of tape I’m using bobbin lace. This pretty 1920s dress with tape lace yoke and bertha collar and this original 1920s tape lace collar with bobbin lace were my main inspirations. Continue reading DIY Tape Lace Collar
‘In many cases no gift could be so useful as an apron, or nightgown, or petticoat neatly made, with loving thoughts stitched into the long seams and difficult gathers.’ (The American Girl’s Home Book of Work And Play, 1890) Continue reading Victorian & Edwardian Christmas Gifts – Part 2