Category: Inspired by

Morgan Donner

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Historical Sewing, Research, and Shenanigans

I found Morgan on YouTube, where she has her own channel. She shows her own historical projects. Morgan is a self-taught maker of historical garments and I have learnt from her that there is not need to fear learning new skill and craft. The majority of her projects are pre-1600`s. You may follow her also on her web site www.morgandonner.com.


Morgen has other projects than sewing the garments. It is for example making lace, leather case or fingerloop braid, which are absolutely amazing.

I was inspired by her tutorial to make St. Birgitta cap which I tried to reconstruct also.

And this is my result 🙂 and I am very pleased how it turned out:

You may follow Morgan also on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Who has inspired you lately?

The American Duchess

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Do you like 18th century more than other eras?

The American Duchess blog was founded by Lauren Stowell in 2009. Her intention is “to educate and entertain those interested in learning more about the fashions of the 18th century and other periods of dress“.

Lauren`s content is related to 18th century dress. She shows and describes the sewing techniques and also she analyzes the dress from the paintings of that time period. With no doubt you will get inspiration and useful information to make your own beautiful historical gown.

The web site is not just a blog with blog posts, it also provides you useful list of projects, tutorials, books and resources you may use to proceed also with for your projects.

Have you ever looked for historical footwear of good quality and authentic look? With Lauren`s frustration not finding 18th century shoes she started to manufacture her own foot line. You may find the shoes on E-shop.

The E-shop offers shoes for women as well as for men, from 18th century till 20th century and at last theatrical shoes also.

There are not just shoes you may buy. The footwear accessories are also available such as buckles and stockings.

Lauren has another credit to be mentioned. She has written 2 books about hand sewing and wearing dress of 18th century, also hairstyle, make-up and accessories. Books are available, for example on Book Depository.

Both these books contains picture guides how to measure yourself, to sew, to dress and to style yourself in manners of 18th century.

Follow the American Duchess on

Facebook

YouTube

Instagram

Would you like to meet the American Duchess?

Yna.cz

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Reconstructing historical costumes based on fine arts.

Web page YNA.CZ was founded by Kristýna Petříčková to present her work. Kristýna studied artistic industry and fine art. She taught at School of Art and at the University in Zlín. Currently, she is a Head of clothing design studio at the University in Zlín, Czech republic.

Her work is stunning with beautiful details. She reconstruct mostly historical dress from Medieval age and Renaissance.

Besides reconstructing historical dress, she is also interested in Czech national costumes.

A part of her scientific work is also organizing the exhibitions of reconstructed dress through out the centuries.

I feel I am going to start creating something really nice. Will you do it too with me?

Kostym.cz

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High quality of historical costumes and patterns

Kostym.cz is the one of the most complex web site focusing on historical dress. The content is very wide. This page is not just about the European garments from Medieval age or Renaissance. It also includes information about far east, jew or gypsies clothing. You can read theoretical studies about the historical tailoring and pattern making advises based on historically accurate evidence, too.

Let me say that the web site has non-standard format. It is like flipping through a book or clicking on icons in OS Windows :-)):

This web site was founded by a married couple Martina and Martin Hřibs. I named them “The Scientists in the Field of Clothing”. They look very nice, do not you think?

Martina and Martin are very skilled in reconstructing historical garments through the centuries. They work is based on research of historical sewing techniques. And I can assure you that do everything to bring you historically accurate pattern and sewing techniques.

Martina and Martin organize a seminar “Clothing in history” every autumn in Zlín, Czech Republic. They invite the experts to present their studies. There is also printed outcome from this sessions including whole content presentations. Unfortunately, the presentations are in Czech language only.

As you see, M&M provide us valuable information. To spread your knowledge and get most recent updates, you can follow Facebook page. The web site and the Facebook page are originally set with Check language, but there is no need to be worry. All the posts are available also in English language :-).

Martina and Martin also unite another historical dress lovers and specialists. For example Hanka. She has 200 entries of sewing projects from Medieval age to Regency era.

Martina and Martin are very inspiring, do not you think?

Prior Attire

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…alias dressing up through the centuries…

Prior Attire was founded by Izabela Pitcher who has been running her creative business for 16 years. She hand-makes historically accurate garments for museums and historical interpreters, UK television, at English Heritage and National Trust properties. (woow :-))

Izabela has official web side www.priorattire.co.uk where you can follow her work. She does not work just for well known institutes but also for historical dress lovers. If you would like to order a dress, you will be on waiting list for approximately 8-12 months. However it is worth of waiting!!!!

Let`s have a look on her beautiful work:

I feel also to mention that Izabela`s work includes fantasy and steampunk projects.

It is not a surprise that Izabela has YouTube channel with 150K subscribers. She has videos series named “Dressing up” . She shows how to dress up from the under layer to the top layers, including shoes, accessories and hear style, completed with professional photos. Her videos also include comments related to dressing up and period fashion. I love her videos as they have also funny moments :-)). Watch for example this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3zjuYJ_RVI

Are you Facebook fan? Here is Izabela`s Facebook page named “The Victorian Dressmaker“. Enjoin….Like and Share…

And finally I have to mention Izabela`s first book named “The Victorian Dressmaker“. The book contains Victorian dress patterns and sewing techniques. If you sew Victorian gowns, you should have this book in your bookshelf.

Let me say that to follow Prior Attire is absolutely worth it. 🙂

Cathy Hay and her projects

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Have you ever did big challenging project?

I would really like to meet Cathy Hay in person as she is one of the most inspiring lady among historical dress sewing communities.

WHY?

  1. Besides doing demanding projects, she brings support and motivates to sew historical dress on YouTube channel named “Cathy Hay” :-).

2. Cathy started to reconstruct Peacock dress worn by Lady Curzon. To show her progress with the project she started to write a blog “The Peacock Dress“. Do YOU have a courage to start reconstructing this dress?

3. Founder of award-winning sewing community “Your Wardrobe Unlock`d“. This community helps to create very ambitions sewing projects. There are also mentors such as Luca Costigliolo, Barbara Pesendorfer and Lowana O’Shea who will help you to achieve your dreams.

4. Your wardrobe unlock`d is connected with “Foundation Revealed“. It is a private interactive community, with mentor support and monthly live workshops. The site contains also members` works and results of competitions. The most of the projects are oriented to corset making.

1890s corset by Michelle Fitzgerald

Are you now motivated to start your dream project?

Angela Clayton and her costumes

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“Why I started to follow Angela?“

First I have found Angela on Youtube and watched several videos. I was impressed by her historical dress reconstructions, such as “Portrait of Doña Isabel de Requesens” by Raphael and Giulio Romano, 1518.

She presents her sewing projects step by step. Besides historical costumes, she does 20th century decades series, barbie series. She does hats, fantasy dress, she also makes fabric hauls and antique shops reviews.

Angela started to sew in her teenage and created dozens of dresses. Her great achievement is publishing her own sewing patterns under McCall`s.

To know Angela`s work better, follow her on BLOG, YOUTUBE, INSTAGRAM and PATREON.