This is a list of primary sources for historical costumers – like antique books & newspapers – that I’ve found over the past few decades and that I find most helpful when researching a new topic – with a focus on the Edwardian era. And there are also links to free antique sewing patterns for your historical sewing projects! 😀
Fashion History Research – Primary Sources: Newspapers
Chronicling America
Chronicling America is a great resource of American newspapers published between 1690 and today. You’ll find all sorts of interesting tidbits from historical fashion to hairstyles to beauty & recipes.
California Digital Newspaper Collection
The California Digital Newspaper Collection is another great resource to research all sorts of topics from historical fashion to hairstyles to beauty & recipes.
Fashion History Research – Primary Sources: Books
Various Antique Books – Archive.org
Archive.org is a great resource for finding antique books on all kinds of topic from sewing to beauty to recipes. I used various books from archive.org for my historical beauty series. 😀
Antique Sewing Books – Chestofbooks.com
Chestofbooks.com is a great source for old sewing books, especially from the 1890s, the Edwardian era and the 1910s. This is my go-to resource for my Edwardian sewing projects! 😀
Antique Books – Google Books
Another great source for antique books on various topics is google books. You can find very old books on google books, e.g. recipe books from the medieval period! I used various books to research recipes and medieval weights & measures for my Medieval Gingerbread Recipe.
Antique Embroidery Books – Antiquepatternlibrary.com
Antiquepatternlibrary.com is a great resource for antique embroidery books. I particularly love the many instructions for Edwardian crochet lace yokes that I used to make a DIY crochet yoke for my Edwardian camisole.
My Favorite Free Antique Edwardian Sewing Books
Below is a list of my favorite free sewing books from the 1890s, 1900s & 1910s.
A Complete Dictionary Of Dry Goods from 1892
A Complete Dictionary Of Dry Goods from 1892 is the best source to identify historical fabrics. If you come across an unusual textile term in an old book – like lisle thread or moleskin fabric – or if you want to know the difference between batiste, nainsook, lawn and cambric – this is the most helpful book to identify textiles! 😀
Text-Book On Domestic Art from 1911
In Text-Book On Domestic Art from 1911, there’s another short glossary of textiles that helps identify textiles such as percaline, silesia and grass linen. Text-Book On Domestic Art is also a great sewing book to learn how to sew various types of clothing.
Clothing For Women: Selection, Design, Construction from 1916
Clothing For Women: Selection, Design, Construction from 1916 is a great resource for drafting patterns and sewing clothes.
Garments For Girls from 1919
Garments For Girls from 1919 is another great resource for drafting patterns and sewing clothes.
School Sewing Based On Home Problems from 1916
School Sewing Based On Home Problems from 1916 is a great sewing book that teaches how to sew various types of clothing.
Every Woman’s Encyclopaedia from 1910-2
Every Woman’s Encyclopaedia from 1910-2 is a great resource for various fashion- & sewing-related topics. And if you’re interested in historical cooking, it also contains many interesting recipes.
The Dressmaker from 1916
The Dressmaker from 1916 is a very interesting book about various sewing-related topics: seams, plackets, pattern drafting, lace insertion, hem & waist finishes.
A Sewing Course For Teachers from 1893
A Sewing Course For Teachers from 1893 is a great sewing book that teaches different stitches, and how to sew plackets and seams.
A Manual Of Home-Making from 1919
Among many other topics, the book A Manual Of Home-Making from 1919 is also about sewing clothes.
Free Antique Sewing Patterns
Various Antique Sewing Patterns – Marquise.de
Marquise.de offers a wide range of free antique sewing patterns from the 11th century to the Edwardian era. Click the following link to go directly to the free Edwardian sewing patterns on marquise.de.
Edwardian Corset Patterns – Clusterfrock.com
On clusterfrock.com you can find over 20 free sewing patterns for corsets and brassieres from 1900 to 1909.
Victorian & Edwardian Corset Patterns – Haabet.dk
On haabet.dk (via WaybackMachine) you’ll find various corset sewing patterns from the Victorian & Edwardian era. These are corset patents created with a specific purpose in mind. So these aren’t ordinary sewing patterns and you should use them with caution. But some of the patterns are quite useful. I’ve already used some of the corset patterns for my Edwardian health corset and my Victorian corded corset. And one of the patterns is also very similar to my unboned Edwardian sports corset.
Edwardian Sewing Patterns – Chestofbooks.com
On chestofbooks.com you can find various Edwardian sewing patterns and how to draft a pattern according to your own measurements. Below are links to some of the free antique Edwardian sewing patterns which I’ve used as basis for my Edwardian shirtwaist, Edwardian combination suit & Edwardian camisoles.
- shirtwaist & sleeves from 1916
- shirtwaist & sleeves from 1911
- French tight lining with sleeves from 1911
- circular & gored skirt from 1916
- circular underskirt from 1911
- corset cover & nightgown from 1916
- French drawers from 1916
- drawers from 1919
Margaret Blair System Of Garment Drafting from 1897
Margaret Blair System Of Garment Drafting from 1897 is a great book to learn how to draft various types of clothing like shirtwaists, jackets & undergarments.
The Cutters’ Practical Guide To The Cutting Of Ladies’ Garments from 1892
The Cutters’ Practical Guide To The Cutting Of Ladies’ Garments from 1892 contains sewing patterns for tailored jackets, coats, capes, sleeves, collars, hoods, skirts, trousers & gaiters.
If you know of any other interesting primary sources and free antique sewing patterns, please share them in the comments below! 🙂 And if you sew historical costumes and want to connect with fellow historical costumers, please join my “Historical Costume Group Board” on pinterest! 😀