Clik here to view.
Past Summer's Visit to the Sonnenberg Gardens
This summer has certainly been a summer like no other. I spent some time the other day organizing (and cleaning out) some folders on my computer, when I came across all of these pictures from an...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Striped Dress for Ginny
Here is a post for all of the doll enthusiasts out there! In today's blog post, I'll be detailing the construction of the little, striped dress and tucked petticoat that Ginny, the blog's traveling...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Demystifying the Curved Tuck Detail
In this tutorial, I'll be sharing one of my favorite mid-19th century dressmaking tricks and demystifying the "curved tuck" detail as seen on many original and reproduction bodices. Among Civil War...
View ArticleClik here to view.
An Edwardian Picture Hat [Patreon Teaser]
"Picture hat (noun) - a woman's highly decorated hat with a wide brim, as shown in pictures by 18th-century English painters such as Reynolds and Gainsborough" - Oxford DictionaryVisit our Patreon to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Online Conference - Costume On 2: Tailored
It is with the greatest pleasure that I can now announce I will be speaking at Costume On 2: Tailored, an online conference for historical costuming! For more information, please visit their website:...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Culture Not Costume: A Practical Guide to Avoiding Cultural Appropriation
The online costuming conference last weekend, Costume On 2: Tailored, was a great success, and to all of those who attended my lectures - thank you! I learned just as much about presenting as I hope...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Historical Fashion Program: 1830s Get Ready With Me + 4 Antique Pelerines
In today's post, I'll be revisiting a past fashion program that I collaborated on with Brandon Brooks, curator at the John L. Wehle Gallery, as well as sharing pictures of four antique pelerines from...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Inside & Out: 1830s Striped Dress
Before dust starts collecting on this dress hung in the back of the costume closet, I thought I'd feature it one last time on the blog. This inside & out post completes the series on the red...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Year in Review: Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021!
We made it, everyone, 2020 is over and done, and here's to another trip around the sun!To say that the last year was difficult would be an understatement. Uncertainty is uncomfortable, frustrating,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Solstice Swap 2020 [Gift Unboxing]
Back in December, Katie Lovely of Latina Living History organized an international "costuber" and costumer Solstice Swap! Each of the participants drew a name in secret and exchanged gifts on the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
"Purled" or Ruched Ribbon Trim
Making decorative trim is like frosting on a cake! A delight for the eyes, frilly, and fun, ribbon trimming can be the perfect finishing touch for any special project - and it only takes a few, simple...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Two Roads Diverged: Taking a Hiatus
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel both"- Robert FrostUpon graduation, I found myself searching - for a job, for an affordable apartment (still looking), for a sign, a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
So I Took a Break from Content Creation...Now What?
As the title reads, so I took a break from content creation...In fact, I took a rather extended break, as you'll see between the jump in calendar months from my last post to today's. And you know...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Going, Going, Gone: A Recap of Season #8!
My Grandma used to say that there were only two days in the year: Christmas and 4th of July. I laughed then, as I knew that it was supposed to be a joke, but now I understand that she was only...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Sweetest Event of the Year - Maple Sugar Festival!
March means maple sugaring season, and the return of the Genesee Country Village & Museum's sweetest event - the annual Maple Sugar Festival! Celebrated over two weekends - this year: March 19th...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Go Bustle, or Go Home: Making an 1880s "Lobster Tail" Bustle
There comes a time in every historical costumer's life when they decide to leave comfort behind and dive into a new era's clothing...which means building the look from the undergarments, out. That's...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Pretty Petticoat: Making an 1880s Flounced Petticoat
Is it just me - or do you also enjoy making fancifully trimmed underclothing, even though they're rarely meant to be seen? Following the construction of my lobster tail bustle, the next layer was...
View ArticleClik here to view.
When in Doubt, Add Another Petticoat
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single petticoat must be accompanied by at least a second petticoat, if not more, to provide the proper support for a fashionable overskirt. When we last...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Year in Review: Goodbye 2022, Hello 2023!
While I may not have initially sat down to write a blog post tonight, I'm really glad you & I are here to reflect on the crazy year that was 2022. There's so much that could be said...but I think...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Making an 1820s Corded Petticoat
My first completed - and now blogged about - sewing project of 2023 is an 1820s corded petticoat! If you've been following along over on the Facebook page and Instagram @youngsewphisticate, you'll know...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Making an 1880s Plaid Ensemble: Skirt & Draperies
This is the year we're finally making the plaid 1880s bustle dress! In 2022, I finished the underpinnings for the project - including a lobster tail bustle, underpetticoat, and flounced petticoat -...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Making an 1820s Morning Dress
I made a morning - not to be confused with "mourning" - dress or wrapper, which is a garment intended to be worn in the privacy of ones home, or before getting more properly dressed into an afternoon...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Beribboned Cap & Tasseled Slippers
Following on the heels (sorry, couldn't resist the shoe pun!) of my last blog post on the Making on an 1820s Morning Dress, I wanted to spotlight the two accessories that really made the ensemble...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Making an 1880s Plaid Ensemble: The Bodice
As I'm preparing for a busy Fall season of fashion and other programming, I realized we left off (way back in March!) with the making of the skirt and draperies for a three-piece, c.1883-86 plaid...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bloom Below & Song Above - 1880s Plaid Bustle Photoshoot
In the historic village of LeRoy, there is a gazebo along Oatka Creek that I thought would make a lovely location for a photoshoot. After finishing my c.1883-86 plaid dress, my sister, Maria, drove...
View Article
