Following a 1900's Blouse Pattern : Sewing through the Decades

It is a beautiful day to follow another confusing pattern, don't you think?

✩ Things Mentioned ✩

The striped fabric was from Diana Fabric in NYC, the white material was from Fabrics For Less (closed). Buttons from Joanns.

Pattern purchased from RetroalaMode on etsy.


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If you are interested in seeing more of my work or contacting me, I'll leave links to my various sites below!

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About me:

My name is Angela Clayton, I’m a twenty year old designer and seamstress who is currently living on Long Island, in NY.

I’ve been sewing for five years and focused on period costumes and original designs for the last three. I make costumes for fun and to expand my skill set so I can hopefully get a job in the industry someday.

Check out my FAQ linked above to hear more about me, and any of the other sites to see more of my work!

I can be contacted with inquires about paid work via the email above.

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My sewing machines include: Singer Heavy Duty 4423, Singer Industrial 191D-20, Singer 15-30

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Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

[richardsteele]

Back in those days the fabrics used were simple and most commonly muslin. The ecru color wasn't as expensive as white ecru because pricing it was based on the number of steps to produce it. White muslin had the extra steps of bleaching and dying. White and colored fabrics were harder to launder because stains could set easier into the fabrics. Today our clothing goes through multiple steps including chemical treatments to keep certain fabrics fire retardant/proof; and colors stable and stain resistant before being delivered to stores. Home managers/engineers (AKA homemakers) would start the washing process on monday and finish the load on Saturday until the tub - wringer machines were introduced. Most people owned two sets of clothes and the freshest washed would be worn to Sunday Church/Temple/Synagog on the religions day of observation. If people were lucky or more well to do, they might have had Sunday clothes to wear

When I was a kid in the "late" 1960's my Grandmother owned one of those tub -wringer washers. The last time she used it she was babysitting me and the thing started shaking so violently that Grandma grabbed me screaming. She ran carrying me into the kitchen slamming the door behind us. My mom had arrived just about that time to pick me up after work; heard the commotion and ran into the house to find the washing machine tub wringer dancing around the room until it finally unplugged itself and stopped. She recalls the room being covered in soap bubbles and dirty laundry. Mom called Aunt Fannie and Aunt Eleanor and they came over to help clean up the mess, help with the laundry and dinner. She had a brand new washing machine the next day. My mom had to teach her how to use it. It wasn't plumbed for some time so they had to run a garden hose from outside of the house and had a drain put through the floor which ran out onto the back garden which was mostly dandelions and wild garlic.

[richardsteele]

Angela Clayton - I hope you don't mind me putting up my old family memories in your comments; it's just that some of your videos bring back specific memories from my childhood. Some of the clothing you create remind me of photos of people in the houses of my grandparents and great aunt's and uncles homes and old family photo albums.

[donnie]

Have you ever thought of scanning in all these patterns to preserve them and have others try to follow them?

[rmorine]

Two minutes of admiring how beautifully the hat frames your face. Then at 2:05 you show the pattern up close and I'm like, that even looks like you!😊

[saskia]

I really like the color choices! White and purple together make a really soft feminine look and suits the shape of the blouse.

[Torirattle]

You would have been sewing this style for a while had you lived in the time, and so probably would have instinctively known how things went together and not needed instruction. I think you did an astounding job, the contrast is lovely.

[Ariviya]

I know this sounds really silly but I love hearing you read the instructions because I can't turn heads or tails out of them but when you explain it after I'm like, oh yeah, that makes sense!!

[sebastainmikkelson]

The "stays" were the middle part of a feather sewn into cloth about 6 or 7 inches in length. They were then sew vertically around the waist, to hold the garment from drooping in unwanted areas

[maureencullen]

When using vintage patterns I always transfer to pattern paper/greaseproof paper so I don't damage the original.I then put the new pieces in a large envelope with a drawing of the pattern on the front and written instructions to put inside(if you have a photocopier then use that).i can then keep the vintage pattern in its original state and without pin marks. I think the blouse looks lovely and I love that you point out potential pitfalls.

[SewTexas]

Thank you, definitely I would like to see more patterns 1900's. Personally I have many old patterns, "untouched" with no markings and I have been anxious to try them, you motivate me.

[Ladybug-ufuh]

Well, you had a real problem with an unprinted pattern and weird instructions. My mother refused to use unprinted patterns in the 1950's and now I see why. BUT! I loved how it turned out and remember the joy of producing something unique and special. Thank you for sharing your journey and posting the video.

[Hide_and_silk]

Just loving your series. My great grandmother was a tailoress - I'm guessing she apprenticed from ~1890 so it's wonderful to watch you making garments that she would have been totally familiar with x

[Dawn-fzcu]

This blouse had so many complex details hidden in the relaxed sillouette. You did an amazing job considering the limited instructions. Your humor is delightful. Thank you for sharing!

[louiselill]

With all the missing information on this pattern etc I still love the blouse . The fabric choices and colours are beautiful I had forgotten how much I like lilac even the name is pretty

[paisley]

Angela: you look so beautiful in this outfit. I can't see any fault with the blouse, and the hat is absolutely splendid! <3

[illfayted]

This isn't sewing related, but I really appreciate that you asked people to subscribe at the end of the video instead of the beginning. That always annoys me a little in other people's videos, even though it's common now. It feels pushy, like why would I want to subscribe if I'm a new viewer and I know nothing about your content yet? I've only been watching for 5 seconds, let me finish one video before I decide if I want to see them all.

[wowzieee]

You know what's fun? Is learning from the past. What a great idea. As in making a sauce in the kitchen, sewing has so many perspectives on how it can get done, all with pretty much the same result. I'm going to spend a lazy Sunday and watch all of your uploads, as I'm sure the is much for me to learn from your experience. Thanks for sharing this. BTS, I love the hat.

[staceyk]

Have you ever thought of adapting all these patterns with your changes in a book in several sizes. I'm quite a bit larger (2x) but I would love to learn how to make these! It would be cool to be able to make clothes from all different time periods and/or adding these elements to modern clothing.

[sunnyruth]

Angela i learn well from you hope you keep going. I've been sewing most of my life. So I catch on quickly. You taught me 4 incredible things in one setting. You sew like my mother and sister. Like nobody else's business keep on stitching

[maegenfoster]

A couple people have already mentioned using a safely pin to thread your ribbon, but I wanted to say my favorite little sewing tool for that is a bodkin. Not terribly expensive, and so amazing for threading through casings-- elastics especially.
This is such a fun series and I can't wait to see more!