By I was always fascinated by historical dress. Fascinated by it, but never had the nerve to actually wear it.
As a child I would make my Barbie a variety of what I thought of as historically inspired gowns. As a teenager I would sketch out copious fashion illustrations, adapting corseted waists, leg-o-mutton sleeves, big skirts, whatever era took my fancy. I read 50s pattern drafting books and experimented with drawn thread embroidery. I studied encyclopedia entries on crinoline gowns and jotted ideas from old paintings. I would fill in time after school and on the weekends draping fabric on my mum’s dressmaker’s dummy in the Home Economics room at school (yes, my mother was a Home Ec teacher and taught me to sew from an early age).
And then somewhere along the way, I forgot about my first love.
So, here I am, a disillusioned 40-something. I’m disillusioned with current fast fashion, disillusioned with the sweat shops and dodgy supply lines, disillusioned with current fashion styles that don’t suit my idea of what I want to wear. I’m disillusioned enough to jump on-board the slow fashion band wagon, and rediscover my first love.
I’m putting this blog out there for others who might be on the same journey and are looking for company. I’ve recently discovered a plethora of historical sewers, and love their work and their commitment to getting as close to historical authenticity as they can. But that’s not me – I’m not trying to be completely historical. For me, I want to try and adapt historical shapes and styles that I can incorporate into my own wardrobe. I want to replace my plastic fabrics that have been whipped together on an industrial assembly line by underpaid workers, and start to take time to create clothing that are made with love, that I love and that will be with me for years to come.
So don’t necessarily expect historical authenticity from me. But expect a bit of research, as I investigate late Victorian and early Edwardian fashion. Journey with me as I rediscover those gorgeous dresses of the 1940s & 50s. Empathise with me as I indulge a bit of mad flailing with pattern drafting and toile fitting. Expect mistakes and slow progress. Also, expect a somewhat erratic posting schedule – I’m still working full-time in my school, and holiday time will always be my most productive.
So, that is me, and that is the why of this blog. If this sounds like something you might be interested in, subscribe or follow, and even introduce yourself in the comments. If you are blogging your own sewing journey, I’d love to discover it – link it to your comments so I can find you.
Let’s bring yesterday into today!
Yesterday-Today 