(or how to get a plus size hoop skirt for around $30.) I just wrote this out on a plus-size historic costuming page, but maybe it will be useful to someone here too. Cheap hoop skirt hacks: unprofessional, not HA, but whatever. (or how to get a plus size hoop skirt for around $30.) You…Continue reading Cheap Hoop Skirt Hacks
Category: Tutorials
Costume Hair extensions- types and uses
Braiding hair Jumbo Braid: A great place to start! Jumbo braid (also referred to as Yaki Braid) is a synthetic hair that adds a bunch of fullness. It is sold in a big looped braid, and is usually around or under $5 a bundle. It is available in crazy colors as well as a variety…Continue reading Costume Hair extensions- types and uses
Lovers knot tiara, or how not to use recognizable jewelry, a cautionary tale
Recently a new docu-drama has been released on Amazon Prime documenting the last generation of Romanoffs ruling Russia. Near the end of the series, the empress wears a tiara that is instantly recognizable. Why? Because it is the tiara made famous by Princess Diana. It is called the Cambridge lovers knot tiara. http://orderofsplendor.blogspot.com/2011/03/tiara-thursday-cambridge-lovers-knot.html Less known…Continue reading Lovers knot tiara, or how not to use recognizable jewelry, a cautionary tale
Tutorial: 18th century straw hat in photos
How to make an 18th Century sun hat from a used straw hat, in pictures. I started with a straw hat from EBay for about $15 including shipping. It was nice to find one in simple real straw and a nice color. I cut the crown of the hat about an inch up from the…Continue reading Tutorial: 18th century straw hat in photos
Staying cool in linen
Super light weight linen is a miracle. Once I had a shift in linen light enough it all made sense to me. I didn’t get stinky, and I didn’t feel stinky. I would sweat but air movement would cool me off. The real wake up was when I put a T-shirt on later and felt…Continue reading Staying cool in linen
Tutorial: How to curl ostrich feathers
To curl an ostrich feather, hold 2-3 strands of feather frond against the edge of a butter knife and pull to the edge. The process is just like curling ribbon to put on a gift package. It works best if you only curl the outside inch or so.
How do you sew so fast?
I sew quickly because I spent over 15 years sewing for my living. The faster and more efficient I could be the better. it is also about repetition. The first time I made a garment it would take me 10 times as long as the 10th time I made it. This is also a big…Continue reading How do you sew so fast?
Making an Edwardian hat from a $2 sun hat.
Making an Edwardian hat from a $2 sun hat with cotton voile, lace, ribbon ostrich feathers and silk pansies.
Black Edwardian Gown layers
There are many many layers of clothing that go into an Edwardian outfit. More than you would think. Here are the layers for my black Edwardian gown.
Tutorial: setting in sleeves
Setting in sleeves by hand takes a bit longer but gives a much nicer look for vintage a historic clothes. Video 1: short intro, and my dog’s nose Video 2: showing the hand sewing stitch for attaching a sleeve. Video 3: showing how to hand stitch the gathered top of the sleeve. The finished sleeve…Continue reading Tutorial: setting in sleeves