Wearing History® Blog

Suit-A-Long- Original Period Instructions

Lauren — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:44:13 +0000

Hi there! After all these years, it’s come to my attention that I didn’t include the original instruction text image to R109- the 1916 Suit Pattern. I think at the time I was breaking down the original text into bite-size chunks and clarifying it (as I did when I moved that system to the Archive […]

The Life and Death of James McCall

Lauren — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 04:18:42 +0000

James McCall was the founder of McCall Patterns, and while we know the patterns were established in 1870, very little is known about the man himself. We know he was an immigrant to the United States from Scotland, where he set up his pattern business, but most of his life was a mystery. That is, […]

Tutorials: Zippers

Lauren — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 01:41:07 +0000

An index of zipper tutorials: Side zipper using a vintage method with a facing on the front edge: As I add more tutorials I will update!

Tutorials: Buttonholes

Lauren — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:54:22 +0000

A brief little index of my buttonhole tutorials. For a 1930s method, see this blog post: >How-to: Bound Buttonholes – Wearing History® Blog For a 1950s method, utilizing bias strips of fabric, view this video: Sewing 101: Bias Bound Buttonholes- 1950s Method

How to Sew a Bias Facing for a Neckline Ribbon Casing

Lauren — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 01:00:38 +0000

This tutorial is for Wearing History Resto-vival #R162- The late 1940s Wrap Around House Dress with Pocket. An extra visual for the pocket is available here:

1955- “Pattern Companies Include Designs by Big Names in ‘Haute Couture'”

Lauren — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 00:39:35 +0000

I came across this article today while researching a pattern label question in Vintage Sewing Pattern Nerds on Facebook (great group, if you’re not already in there), and found it interesting. Typing it out here so others can learn from it as well. I find particularly interesting how many patterns were sold and what the […]

Musings: Historical Accuracy and Paper Sewing Patterns for Early 20th Century Sewing

Lauren — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 23:40:42 +0000

I always believe it’s wonderful to choose our own adventure and our preferences- the purpose of this particular blog post is to examine and reflect on period attitudes to learning to sew and using sewing patterns- since many who come into this hobby are new to sewing, in general, and must suddenly learn drafting, fabric, […]

New Pattern- R160 1950s Skirt with Scalloped Detailing

Lauren — Wed, 21 May 2025 02:26:23 +0000

Hurrah! New pattern time! Early 1950s skirt with scalloped detail is available as an e-pattern download (with A0 and print at home) and a printed pattern. This fun early 1950s skirt has a unique scalloped detailing that reminds me *oh so much* of the midcentury detailing a certain land in a certain place in California, […]

Circa 1916 Tunic Skirt Pattern

Lauren — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 21:57:18 +0000

Photo visual for the waist treatment of the Wearing History 1916 tunic skirt with optional train.

R159- 1930s Frilled Blouse

Lauren — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 16:49:24 +0000

The 1930s Frilled Blouse pattern is up and finished. Woohoo! At this time it’s only the original period pattern size of a 36″ bust, 30″ waist, 39″ hips, because of the tricky construction and pattern cut, and the lines and labeling which would be a bit lost in nested grading. In future I may revisit […]