r/HistoricalCostuming

This is a self-drafted, Rococo-inspired robe de cour created for the Fêtes Galantes at Versailles. While inspired by mid-18th century court dress, it is not intended to be a strict historical reproduction.

Pattern/Drafting:
Bodice/stays and grand pannier were drafted using references from Patterns of Fashion 5 by Janet Arnold (School of Historical Dress), then extensively modified to achieve my desired silhouette and design.
We wrapped my torso in Saran Wrap and masking tape and drew the bodice outline on me, cut it off, cut the pieces and accounted for a 5/8th’s seam allowance and 2 inch reduction.
Additional draping and fitting were done directly on the dress form.

Fabric:
Main gown: silk brocade (silk blend jacquard/brocade)
Foundation garments: cotton coutil
Boning: synthetic whalebone
Petticoats: cotton
Trim and embellishments applied by hand.

This was my first 18th-century gown, and with the help of my best friend, a seamstress, I learned a lot about historical sewing while making it.

Looking at some drawings of historical hairstyles, I keep seeing these caps/tips around the ends of women’s braids, but cannot uncover a name for them! Does anyone know?

Pulling together a last minute medieval faire costume and could use some guidance!

Dear people, I'd love to hear some thoughts on using lacing rings for an Italian Gamurra. (Not historically accurate rings - I know, but I didn't have a lot to choose from) I want to use spiral lacing and still use lacing rings. How would you place them? Is this too close? Thanks for chiming in!

I made the tunica and the palla last minute. I think the accessories really sell it. The necklace is a glass beaded one that I made myself years ago, the earrings are thrifted but I bought them because the reminded me of Hellenistic earrings I saw on the Met website. The hair is a loose interpretation from a vase. It's not completely historical accurate, but I quite like the end result.

Hi everyone,

This is my first venture into historical costuming, so apologies for any improper terminology

I recently saw a renaissance dress online and really really liked it - to the point where I want to try to reproduce something similar to it. I was wondering if anyone knew of any patterns/texts/videos of someone producing something similar to it (it doesn’t have to be exact, but a starting point would be helpful).

Specifically, I am interested in (1) the type of sleeveless cloak that the mannequin has her arms through and (2) the style of sleeves on this dress.

Thank you for any help you can give

Link to the article the picture is from:

https://www.cuindependent.com/italian-renaissance-fashion-the-complete-guide/

I am currently working on an early doublet, late-14th/early-15th centuries and got a lovely fabric from Sartor Bohemia. I was initially a bit conservative when ordering fabric because of the price, import duty, and just being a PhD student. I planned to do some strategic piecing in some areas to make it work. While I could have finished the piece, I wouldn’t have had enough for the cloth buttons. After a bit of research, I found that ordering another meter to cut the sleeves and making the buttons out of the existing scraps would give me enough and be the more affordable option as opposed to purchasing all reproduction buttons.

After receiving the fabric, I immediately noticed a problem, the bronze and silver threads were inverted. The attached picture has the original fabric on the right and the variant sent in error on the left. I assumed this would all be fine, no big deal. I’ll just explain what happened and I was sure it would work out.

Unfortunately, it seems I was mistaken. After 2 weeks, 7 emails, and a few voicemails left, the only response I received was a voicemail saying to send an email and by that time, I had already sent 3. I have also tried the “ask” section of their website just to get some kind of response.

This is where we get to my question, for those that have worked with Sartor Bohemia and dealt with their customer service team, is this unusual? I have heard good things about them so I am trying to assume the best. I love their fabrics and want to use them in future projects but, if this is what I risk having to deal with if something goes wrong, I don’t think I would want to take that risk again. Has anyone else dealt with their customer service before? Good or bad experiences?

I went to a reenactment event recreating the bourgeois of bilbao in the 1900s. it was my second ever reenactment event and I'm wearing my original 1900s morning coat, 1940s top hat and a GORGEOUS flower pin on my lapel. Alas, I injured my arm so it was a challenge for the pictures but I really enjoyed the day.

Fun fact; the house that I docent at has a tree that was planted in 1892. The daughters of the family picked it up in a coffee can in Santa Cruz. That tree is now one of the tallest redwoods in Alameda. My boots are older than that tree!

Approximately 350€ in material costs. I managed to do it in only about 2.5 weeks. All silk fabric (sadly not ribbons). Overall a great success, I got many compliments

Hello!
I’ve recently finished making my first two Regency dresses (completely handsewn) and now I want to dive into the undergarments and accessories to complete the looks.
I have already searched through some companies that offer regency patterns for sale but now I’m looking for free patterns.

That being said my top priorities now are Regency Chemise / Shift, Regency Stays and Stockings. However** **please send literally everything else you know of! I will gladly take free patterns for dresses, outwear (pelisses, spencers, cloaks), headwear (bonnets, caps), neckwear (fichus, habits), any other accessories (reticules, muffs, pockets, etc.)

If you know of any blog posts, museum archives, open-source books, or YouTube tutorials that share free downloadable or draftable patterns, please share the links below.
Thank you in advance!😊

Initial make my hat suck less thread https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoricalCostuming/comments/1um924n/comment/ovfopg0/?context=1&screen_view_count=2ok,

The Drip

ok so long term I do want a tricorn bc it has a martial feel that a slouch does not, but I’m going to a event at Hershel Houses Woodbury School tomorrow and want to rock my period attire, so I’m in the shop ….. first pic is how much my hat sucked ….. second pic is roughly what I’m aiming for. I decided it didnt have to go way down low on my head like a ball cap (which is what I used as a mold for my custom hat block How I made a perfect custom hat block easily and cheaply ) so I cut my block in order to make the crown lower , which bought me more brim. Then proceeded to steam and stretch the heck out of if. Felt is actually pretty cool to work with, it’s so unnoticeabley maluable and pliable….. im really glad my wife bought the steam cleaner, I’ve found several really handy uses for it (none of which are cleaning). Followed by some clamping and stretching. I’ve discovered that it Is very rare i encounter a poroblem in life that cannot be improved in some way by hitting something with a hammer.

Now that I’m starting to get the brim flattened out I wanted something flat I could set on it while the block was in it so I could clamp it to the table. My 7 year old son has been on a hardcore cutting-shit-out-with-a-jigsaw kick so after I traced my newly shortened block onto it I let him cut the hole out while I drank a beer

I’m going to steam and stretch another round or two then clamp it down for a few hours hoping it will get the shape I’m going for. then I’ll borrow a turkey feather from a customer mount and add an inkle hat band from some leftover tape my daughter and I weaved on her inkle loom I made her.

UPDATE IN A NEW THREAD BC I WANTED TO ADD PICS

Believe it or I actually have no formal or informal training in millinery. just bought felt blank and made things up as I went. I’m not sure where procedurely my folly lay, I’m thinking maybe I should not have formed the shape of the crown to functionally exact cast of my own noggin as a hat block. maybe I just have a weird shaped head idk but I feel like the crowns a bit low in front. any suggestions for getting my wings simetrical and everything shapely.

the resources I have at my disposal.

steam cleaner gun

foam custom cast for my own dear knap hat block

hand sewing and a sewing machine

A can do attitude Combined with raw patriotism

Hello everyone!

I am building my Regency wardrobe (1790–1820) and I am looking to invest in high-quality, historically accurate footwear. I am looking for all three main types of shoes:

1. Walking Pumps / Day Shoes: Covered instep, high tongue, proper latchets/ribbon ties. Flat profile or a very low, historical heel (max. 1-1.5 cm). (examples in the first photo attached)
2. Half Boots / Walking Boots: Front-lacing ankle or mid-calf boots with tight lace holes , flat sole, and soft toe box. (second photo attached)
3. Dress Slippers / Evening Shoes: Deeply cut-out flats for balls, featuring low throatlines and soft square toes. I love delicate historical embroidery, spangles, or rosettes. (third photo attached

I am attaching 3 collage photos, one for each category. I must say, it's surprising how few examples of original walking pumps / day shoes can be found online compared to evening shoes/flats! They can be quite tricky to tell apart sometimes, so please correct me if I misclassified any of the reference images in my collages.

My requirements:

• 100% Natural Materials: Real leather, natural cotton, silk etc. No synthetics or thermoplastic toe boxes - I want soft, pliant historical structure over the toes.
• Handmade Artisan Quality: I highly prefer supporting independent makers or workshops over large corporate brands.

Timeline, Buying Options & Location:

• I need these relatively quickly, so please link any Ready-to-Ship / In-Stock lines.
• I am also seeking recommendations for artisans taking custom orders.
• Destash welcome: If you have pre-owned historical shoes in an 37.5 to 38.5 EU size that fit these criteria and you want to sell, please send me a message!

I am based in Poland, so Europe-based makers are highly preferred to avoid massive customs duties and long shipping times. However, I am open to overseas masterpieces if it's the right fit.

Please drop your shop links, names, or independent artisan recommendations below. Thank you!

Had just enough fabric to use. I even managed to do neat 6mm French seams. I heard the industry standard is 5mm