June 4, 2024: PDF Pattern for Ladies' Dressy 1912 Automobile Duster ~ History House Pattern #1912-A-028
Just in time for summer historical outings!
With the invention of the automobile in the early 20th century came the need for proper ladies' outerwear to fashionably and securely protect those beautiful Edwardian and 1910's gowns. This high-style 1912 automobile duster, in linen with dramatic lace trim, is now available in a PDF pattern that you can either print at home (on letter-size or A4 paper), or have printed at a printshop.
With the invention of the automobile in the early 20th century came the need for proper ladies' outerwear to fashionably and securely protect those beautiful Edwardian and 1910's gowns. This high-style 1912 automobile duster, in linen with dramatic lace trim, is now available in a PDF pattern that you can either print at home (on letter-size or A4 paper), or have printed at a printshop.
The pattern is drafted in two ladies' sizes (both included in the pattern): For Bust 91-97cm (36"-38") or Bust 99-104cm (39"-41"). The sizing is quite flexible, as this duster coat is intended to be a loose and roomy fit. The pattern download package includes my detailed, step-by-step written sewing instructions (in English), historical information, cutting and layout guidelines, and a copy of the pattern cover art. This is anything but a simple tracing of an antique pattern. You'll have the benefit of my decades of experience with French antique couture and my knowledge of sewing and pattern drafting generally.
Click on the button below to go to the listing in my Etsy shop to see all the details. And watch for the paper version soon in my Etsy shop (at the moment paper versions of History House patterns are only available to the U.S.).
Click on the button below to go to the listing in my Etsy shop to see all the details. And watch for the paper version soon in my Etsy shop (at the moment paper versions of History House patterns are only available to the U.S.).
March 9, 2024: Opulent Robe à la Française in Gold Brocade with Silver Trim
This beautiful sacque gown (robe à la française), based on extant 1750-70 formal gowns, is now completed and available in my Etsy shop at the link below. The ensemble includes gown, petticoat, stomacher, engageantes, lace neck frill and a silk covered pannier custom-made to fit the gown. Free express shipping to the U.S. and Canada.
See all the details here:
June 2, 2022: New 1911 Blouse Pattern!
This lovely, authentic 1911 blouse pattern is now available in my Etsy shop (click on the blue button below to see details on Etsy). The pattern includes all 6 graded sizes shown on the cover chart, as well as the original 1911 embroidery design.
What I most like about this blouse design is its versatility -- it can be made very, very simple, with no embellishment at all (in which case it's perfect as an easy intermediate project), or it can be made with all the original embellishment of the 1911 French design (for an "advanced intermediate" level of sewing skill).
The blouse can be made from almost any lightweight woven fabric that isn't too crisp. My suggestion for relatively new historical sewists is to make this blouse in the basic style from a fine, sheer weight handkerchief linen and add a few touches of lace if you wish -- around the neckline yoke, for example. This is a dressy blouse which can be worn with a wool skirt for winter, or a silk or linen skirt for warmer weather.
What I most like about this blouse design is its versatility -- it can be made very, very simple, with no embellishment at all (in which case it's perfect as an easy intermediate project), or it can be made with all the original embellishment of the 1911 French design (for an "advanced intermediate" level of sewing skill).
The blouse can be made from almost any lightweight woven fabric that isn't too crisp. My suggestion for relatively new historical sewists is to make this blouse in the basic style from a fine, sheer weight handkerchief linen and add a few touches of lace if you wish -- around the neckline yoke, for example. This is a dressy blouse which can be worn with a wool skirt for winter, or a silk or linen skirt for warmer weather.
The sample blouse shown in the photos was made in lightweight cream shantung, with motifs cut from lace yardage and appliquéd to the surface, along with a pattern of connecting embroidery made by combining built-in embroidery stitches on a regular sewing machine. The decorative yoke was constructed exactly as it would have been in the 1911 original. For intrepid sewists who love hand embroidery, the blouse can be made completely as it would have been in 1911.
September 30, 2020: Just listed!
The sewing pattern (in PDF format) for this lovely 1912 girl's fancy dress is now available in our Etsy shop. The pattern is in one size, for a girl of about 10 to 12 years old, and includes step-by-step instructions in English.
This design can be made in almost any lightweight fabric, for warm or cool seasons, and would be perfect in all white as a flower girl's dress for an Edwardian-themed wedding. Find the pattern here:
This design can be made in almost any lightweight fabric, for warm or cool seasons, and would be perfect in all white as a flower girl's dress for an Edwardian-themed wedding. Find the pattern here:
Upcoming Historical Sewing Pattern for Men's Complete 5-piece ca. 1730-50 Suit
We women make gowns for ourselves for historical events, but often can't find a pattern to create something appropriate for our male companions. Here's the solution!
This autumn and winter, I'll be working on creating patterns (single size) for a men's ca. 1750-55 era fancy suit and accessories, based on historical originals. The sample suit (which I've already made to test the draft pattern) is shown below. The ensemble includes coat, matching breeches, and waistcoat (vest). The linen shirt and cravat (Steinkirk) will be offered as a separate pattern. These patterns will be produced in the History House "Master Class" line, in a single men's medium size (Chest size 42-44", Waist about 36-38"), for someone from 5'6" to 5'10" tall, with guidelines for sizing the pattern up or down.
Just add wig, tricorne hat, stockings and shoes, and you're off to your event! Perfect for Versailles, dressy Outlander, or mid-colonial wear. Look for the pattern in my Etsy shop later this year (the link to the shop is below).