All of the information contained in this website reflects my own personal experiences and preferences. There is more than one way to make a quality garment or corset, and as many opinions on sewing-related topics as their are sewing enthusiasts. I hope you find these articles and tutorials informative, helpful, or at least interesting, and as with any complex subject I would encourage you to research other viewpoints and try these methods for yourself before deciding whether or not they are right for you.

Hand Sewing Tutorials

Medieval Hand Stitching – Basic Stitches (Start Here)

This first section on basic stitches describes what supplies you will need, how to start and end your thread, and the basic stitches upon which most other stitches are based.

How to Hand Sew Hems and Edges

This tutorial illustrates several basic and common ways how to hand sew hems and edges on a medieval garment.

How to Hand Sew Seams

This tutorial illustrates several common ways how to hand sew seams on a medieval garment, both by assembling and then finishing the seam allowance, or by finishing the garment pieces before assembling.

How to Hand Sew Eyelets

This tutorial illustrates two methods of sewing eyelets found on extant medieval garments, and discusses variations for corsets and hiding metal grommets.

How to Hand Sew Buttonholes

This tutorial describes how to hand sew buttonholes, especially for medieval reenactment.

How to Make Fabric Buttons

This tutorial describes how to make fabric buttons for medieval garb, starting from a square piece of fabric.

How to Hand Sew Gores on Medieval Garb

This tutorial shows how to hand sew gores into a slash on the skirt of Medieval garb.

Costume Making Tutorials

Making Two-Layer Spats or Gaiters

This tutorial shows how to make spats or gaiters from two layers of material, self lined, with the top and bottom edges rolled inside. The pattern shown is the one described in my tutorial, How to Draft a Pattern For Fitted Gaiters, but this method can be used for any spats or gaiters.

How to Insert a Triangular Gore into a Slash

This tutorial walks you through two different methods of inserting a triangular gore into a slash. This kind of construction is sometimes seen in modern and vintage garments, and it is commonly used to define bust shape in women’s undergarments throughout the 1800’s. The images used to illustrate were taken while I was constructing a mock-up for a Regency era corset.

Costume Pattern Drafting Tutorials

How to Draft a Pattern for Fitted Gaiters

This tutorial describes how to use measurements to create a pattern for a fitted pair of gaiters. This particular pattern is for two-layer gaiters with a one-inch overlap on the closure, top and bottom edges that are turned inside, and designed to be worn with flat shoes. Easy variations will be mentioned when appropriate.

Medieval Open Hood Pattern

This tutorial provides a basic medieval open hood pattern, instructions on how to customize the pattern, and gives ideas for simple pattern variations.