Authentic Victorian Dressmaking Techniques (Dover Fashion and Costumes) Kindle Edition

Brake down of terms and explains the technique

This book had a few very good surprises.1. It really starts at a beginner level, how to thread a needle, how to make a knot at the thread end and how to sew basic hand stitches. From there the book moves on to how to adjust a pattern all the way to tailoring a coat.2. Compared to later sewing books (1920’s -1940’s) this book has a lot of diagrams and even photographs which are very helpful in clarifying techniques that are no longer or not much known anymore.3. The descriptions On how to sew or put something together are very detailed but can be challenging for the modern user to understand. This is not the author’s fault, it is simply a mix of changes in language, sewing terms , names for a garment ( Waist vs Blouse) and even fabric names and notions.The modern seamstress; even those of us who do historical sewing have simply never seen or were able to look close up on the inside of a skirt hem with a dust ruffle , an enforced pleat or a flat lined garment. This book shows how these things were sewn and constructed ( Ahhh-Ha moments here).The book is not for the modern, beginning seamstress, but it is very helpful for someone who sews historical garments ,or is looking for improving technique, function and construction on a modern garment .Still helpful and useful after 115 years.

it’s just as i expected! very fast shipping

Such a rich trove of information! This book is applicable to anyone looking to improve their sewing whether they are interested in historical costuming or not - many couture sewing techniques are based on Victorian sewing techniques and this book has great information on techniques (especially in getting a nicely shaped skirt and making a dust sweep/balayeuse) which I've never seen in any other book.

This is an incredible resource for anyone interested in learning how to completely hand sew and hand finish a garment. It has given me the ability to give that final authentic touch to my historical recreations. The size of the book is handy but the layout, like a lot of older instructional books, is poor. The images do not match with the paragraphs and that can be distracting to anyone who is a very visual learner. The images are in grayscale so it can be difficult to decipher exactly what is happening in the photos, especially if the text that accompanies it is vague.

This book was written to teach home sewers how to make these clothes. It goes directly to specific information on how to sew seams, how to match plaids, how to make a dress form, and so on. Because most, if not all?, women would have been hand sewing at this time, the instructions are all about hand work. If you already have sewing instruction books but you would like to refine your skills in making highly fitted clothes and working delicate decorative techniques, this book is a gem. Not at all a fluff or talkative book, it is all good practical how-to info. Since I sew by hand, rather than machine, I especially loved this. The sort of info that could help make one a fine, highly skilled sewer.

I love this book, and have learned so much from it. I make authentic Victorian gowns for docents and reenacters an their standards are high. They like all of the extra features that I add to my gowns that I learned from this wonderful book. The pictures and dialog are very good and easy to copy in my sewing. I couldn't do without this book. Thank you. Charlotte Callison

I wish I could give this book more stars but I truthfully do not see the usefulness in it. I understand that this is a Buttericks Dressmaking,Up To Date(1905) re-issue but the authors could have did a much better job in making it more useful to the modern reader. This book manages to hit my 2 pet peeves, huge amounts of written text for directions with scant photos, and little to no historical information given. Sewing is a hands on endeavor and requires illustrations for best knowledge retention.As well, a little more historical information on types of garments and uses would have been ideal. I was also disappointed that more info regarding fabric choices were not given, as well as best practice for using each technique. Crinolines,Corset,hoops nor bustles and all under structures were not reviewed in this book which was an even bigger disappointment because those were the reasons I purchased the book. I did give the book one star because I loved the beginning section stating that American women were not these advanced dressmakers that we like to believe they were. Other than that I would skip this book. There is pretty much nothing here that you cannot find in a sewing guide except the sewing guide will have better illustrations. This is definitely not a resource that will be open on your sewing table as you sew authentic garments. Its also not a rave historical guide for the clothing of the era.Is it worth it? No.

This is great if you want to learn about traditional sewing techniques. The format is black and white , there are illustrations and some diagrams although mostly it is written instructions. It is a treasure trove of tailoring and sewing techniques and a lot of hand sewing detail. Excellent for historical makers or for those wanting to learn handsewing and you can use the techniques in your modern garment sewing. A brilliant book. Highly recommend.

This book is immensely helpful. There is a huge amount of information relevant to dressmaking, as it was done in the Victorian age. The techniques shown are often equally applicable to making clothes today, and are explained well. This would be particularly invaluable to the historical costumier.

Love this book and highly recommend it to anyone making historical costumes xoxo

Very interesting. Some nice practical tips, too.

This was a present for my niece who loved it