Your Wardrobe Unlock'd

Izabela walks us step by step through the creation of an 1785 riding habit, including gold embroidered buttons.

Izabela makes a banqueting suit for an English Civil War Nobleman... and next month, a sumptuous gown for his wife...

Last month I showed you how to draft the front, back and side back of the Seaside Jacket. This month, I show you how to true up the pattern, fit the jacket, draft the sleeves and construct the jacket.

I'll also share some key lessons I learned in this whole process, including a classic mistake.

We give here, the front and back view of a Lady's Sea-side Jacket. It is made of light cloth or flannel, and braided as seen in the design. The diagram on the next page, which represents the front and back, will enable any lady to cut it out, fit it correctly and make it up at very little expense. It cannot fail to please. Peterson's Magazine, August 1873

This month Marion discusses the issues she ran into in using the straight Peterson's patterns, how to overcome it, and pattern the jacket.

Next month, she'll walk through the truing up the pattern, fitting, drafting the sleeves and making up the jacket.

A common design element in the 16th & 17th centuries, Strap-work is an interesting and rich-looking textural technique that can enhance your garment without the need to spend a lot of money.

Alyxx takes us through a wealth of inspirational portraits and then shows us step-by-step how to reproduce the look.

Who'd like a shelf full of free Victorian tailoring manuals? Yes, I knew that would prick up your ears! It's been a full year since Marion last shared a collection of dressmaking and sewing books. Inspired by Jason's series, she's been building another collection: mens' and womens' wear tailoring books from 1855-1886.

Looking for riding habit ideas? Searching for cutting instructions for a Norfolk jacket or a Newmarket skirt and jacket? We've got the answers here, in these complete digitised online copies of original Victorian books, ready for you to download and enjoy.

I hear, frequently, “My husband wants me to make him a tailored 1880's coat, uhm... perhaps one day!” or simply “Tailoring is hard, why try?” This seems to be the natural response for people when they hear the word “tailoring”.

So begins our fascinating new series on historical tailoring, starting with the complete basics and working through to advanced techniques to construct a late Victorian lounge (informal) jacket. As well as allowing you to stop avoiding your husband's requests for something for him to wear, the dressmaker can learn an enormous amount from the genteel rules and precise approach of the historical tailor, giving her a great deal of tips and techniques to take back into ladieswear!