I started the handwoven dress with a cone of beige cotton weaving yarn: I wove the yarn into fabric, washed it, dyed it and then sewed it into a dress. It was a lot of work but I love how my handwoven dress from scratch turned out! 😀 Continue reading How To Make A Handwoven Dress From Scratch
Soutache – also know as Russia braid – is used to embellish clothes. Soutache was especially popular in the Victorian and Edwardian era.
But instead of using store-bought soutache you can also make your own soutache with fabric. DIY fabric soutache is really easy to make. And you can use almost any fabric. I like to use rayon or cellulose acetate lining fabrics to make fabric soutache because it’s cheap, shiny, not too thick and made of natural materials. Continue reading How To Make Fabric Soutache
These DIY holly felt Christmas ornaments are an easy Christmas craft to make with your kids! All you need for the holly felt ornaments is felt and embroidery thread. Continue reading DIY Holly Felt Christmas Ornaments
I made this 1920s beaded silk dress a couple of years ago and now we finally took photos of the dress. But this was way more difficult than we thought because it’s so difficult to take good photos of this white-on-white beaded dress. It sparkles and glitters in real life but on photos it looks just white! But you can see glimpses of the bead embroidery on the close-up photos. Continue reading 1920s Beaded Silk Dress
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
Limerick lace is a floral tulle lace: It is hand-embroidered on machine-made cotton net. In this tutorial I’ll show you the basics of Limerick lace.
Limerick lace was made since 1829 in Limerick, Ireland, hence the name Limerick lace. There are two types of this beautiful, delicate lace: Limerick lace can be either worked as needle-run or tambour lace. In needle-run lace, the net ground is embroidered with a needle and darning stitches. Whereas in tambour lace, the net ground is embroidered with chain stitches and a tambour hook which is similar to a crochet hook. Usually, needle-run lace is more delicate than tambour lace, while some Limerick tulle laces use a combination of needle-run and tambour. Continue reading How To Make Limerick Lace By Hand
The 1920s step-in chemise – also called teddy – was a popular combination garment in the roaring 20s, combining the camisole and knickers in one garment. Continue reading 1920s Silk Step-In Chemise
Some years ago, I made a ghagra choli with yellow and pink cotton fabric, embroidery thread and large silver sequins to mimic Indian mirror work embroidery. Ghagra choli is an Indian blouse and skirt outfit which is usually worn with a stole, the dupatta or odhani.
My handmade ghagra choli is inspired by traditional Rajasthani ghagra cholis Continue reading Handmade Mirror Work Cotton Ghagra Choli
Learn to make an authentic Victorian rag ball for your kid, pup or as decoration.
In the Victorian era, a rag ball was a toy of poor children. Old rags and fabric scraps were wound into a ball and covered with ball stitches to hold the rags together:
‘Ball Stitch – A stitch used in making ornamental balls for children.’ (Embroidery Stitches, 1872, p. 9)
Rag balls were popular Victorian Christmas presents. Victorian mothers would make rag balls for their toddlers, while kids could make their own rag balls – rag balls are so easy and fast to make! And cheap too – using just what you’d usually throw away! I’ve wanted to make a Victorian fabric ball for a long time and now I’ve finally found the time.
‘To make this coveted Christmas toy take a small rubber ball or a piece of cork, wind it with coarse worsted of any color, until the ball is of the desired size, then knit the cover.’ (Demorest’s Family Magazine, 1891)
Today, rag balls are still popular: They are a favorite decoration at Christmas time. Or you could make a rag ball as soft toy ball for your baby or toddler. And if you don’t have a toddler, your pup would love a new toy too!
‘There are innumerable games to be played with a soft ball which the very tiny children even can enjoy and profit by.’ (Every Woman’s Encyclopaedia, 1910-2)
You’ll need:
DIY Victorian Rag Ball
Cut an old T-shirt into a long, continuous 1-inch (2.5cm) strip. Then roll the strip into a ball like you’d roll a ball of yarn. Tuck the end of the strip under one of the previous loops to secure it.
The Victorian Ball Stitch
‘Bind some loose rags tightly together into a ball. Wind string across as in the illustration forming sections. Thread a needle with bright-colored wool, and work round and round, passing the needle each time under a strand of string. If different colours be used the effect is very pleasing.’ (Embroidery Stitches, 1872, p. 9)
DIY boho pom pom dog collar – made from scratch with linen webbing and DIY colorful yarn pom poms!
Turn an ordinary dog collar into a cute and colorful summer dog collar with DIY yarn pom poms! 😀 Continue reading DIY Boho Pom Pom Dog Collar