I found these two pleaters on Ebay UK. Unfortunately one is more than I can spend and the other won't ship to the US but I thought I would share the find so some other lucky person could get them. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VINTAGE-COMBINATION-PLEATER-/360366802664?pt=UK_Crafts_Sewing_Supplies_MJ&has...

I wish I still lived in DE I would definately go to this auction. I bought a different plaiter and can't figure out how to work it at all so at this point I am just keeping it as a cool antique.

Thanks for the heads up on the wording. I now have it saved as a search on Ebay and hope I get as lucky as you.

I know that I have ignored the Synthetic rule many times in the past and used matte or duchess satin which is not super shiny, has a good hand and can be bought from JoAnn's without a lot of fuss and on sale. I also very occassionally can find ribbed taffeta, which doesn't look very synthetic. Yes, ...

Hi, I know that this was originally posted several months ago but I just came across this thread. Several years ago Carolann Schmitt taught a class about Men and Women's accessories at the Ladies and Gentlemen of the 1860s Conference. Her notes included information on many styles of dresses, when to...

You know that is actually a very common design for Elizabethan skirts, the top skirt is split to reveal the forepiece of the underskirt.These are made to go over a farthingale or a hoop a la Elizabeth. I myself use 3 pannels of 60" wide material when making a skirt. I do find that cartridge ple...

Thanks got ahold of her today. But might be back if I have questions about actually making the hat.

Hi all, I am not sure if this is the right board for this. I had ordered a hat pattern from Lynn McMasters which has not arrived yet and went to check for an update on her site and have been unable to get on it all day. Does anyone know if Lynn has gone out of business or is it possible that she is ...

These were completely finished corsets. All the boning was in and the eyelets were done, the only thing I hadn't gotten to was the flossing. That's probably why I am so frustrated. I did do a mock up for the first one so I'm still not sure why that didn't work. Maybe I am more squishable than I thou...

Hi Heather, I'm sorry, it was late when I wrote the post so I guess I forgot to add some details. My cup size varies for bras, sometimes I'm a C and sometimes a D. The first time I made up the corset I did size E for all measurements in a D cup. The gap in the back was huge, over 4" in places, ...

I have no idea why but somehow I am having the worst time sizing my corset. The first time I made it it was much too small, the second time I was absolutely swiming in the thing. I am now on take three and want to run this by someone before making another attempt. My bust is: 43" Waist: 34 Hips...

So, after having sewn for years I am finally ready to crack open my Patterns of Fashion to do something besides drool. I want to make the 1878 dress from Snowhill and I was wondering how to go about making this in my size. Because even though I wish I did I do not have a 27" waist more like a 3...

I know it has been awhile since you asked but since you asked Jas. Townsend and Son, Inc sells wonderful stocking, both cotton and silk. These are for Rev War reenactors but that are still fitting for the Victorian time period. Here's their address http://jas-townsend.com/advanced_search_result.php?...

Okay I have made up my eliptical hoop and after messing with the front ribbons am pretty happy with it. My problem it that I am making this dress/paletot combo and when I put the paletot on it completely drags down the hoop. Do I need to put a pad under the hoop to lift it up or did I (shutter) make...

I actually do Medieval/Ren re-enactment as well as Civ war and gave up using metal bones ages ago. All of my Elizabethan corsets are boned with zip ties (heavy duty ones) and I love them. They are super easy to work with, easy to find and support me just as well as the metal ones. So I say go for it.

Thanks for all the help everyone. I am looking forward to making the dress though I have been told it takes loads of material so it might have to wait a little longer than I had planned.

I am a little confused because several of my books talk about dresses without waist seams and dresses cut in the Princess style starting in 1863. Is this perhaps something else?

I have just moved back to Tucson, Az and was wondering what there was in the way of Civil War/Victorian activities to do. I wasn't really that involved in either before my move back east so I'm not certain what's around.

I have my heart set on making a Civil War era Princess dress. I have bought the new Simplicity pattern http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=2887 but sadly only the front and back are princess the rest is a separate skirt and bodice pieces. Can anyone tell me where to find a pattern for this o...