5 Free Patterns for Historical Sewing

Hello everyone and welcome to a new video!

I have been planning some more projects for the new year, and I came across some free patterns online which I wanted to share with you. Historical sewing can seem pretty intimidating, especially if you try starting with complicated period drafts. So I thought I'd suggest some simple looking (and one more advanced, in case you're feeling adventurous) free patterns that I found online.

A word of warning: some of these patterns have few instructions (or none) and are untested. This means you may run into issues like seams not matching or having no notches to match on patterns. I think these issues are surmountable, and worth the advantage of having a starting point. I often struggled with the blank page when I'm attempting to flat draft, but I find it easier to have a starting point, make a mock-up, and then fix it as I need to. When you make a mock-up, you can draw new style lines, new necklines, lengths, everything, and adapt the pattern to the end result you're looking for.

Let me know if you've tried any of these patterns below or if you know of more patterns! I'd love to make a few more of these videos on the channel so that we could have a little free pattern library.

Disclaimer: all rights to these patterns and associated images (as well as historical images) remain with their original creators/owners. I've given credit below with links for all images I was able to trace.

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Instagram (perhaps overactive stories): @catscostumery

Music is from Epidemic Sound.

[keelyjohnston]

Aranea black has a few tutorials on YouTube that are really in-depth on how to sew her corsets

[bethsvist]

Hana - Marmota here. Thanks for sending a flood of sharing requests my way. 😆 Google made an update some time ago, changed the links to my files and I missed one and had not had the wherewhittal to redo it for quite some time... I think all the links in the kacabajka pattern post are now fixed. Fingers crossed.

Update: I got another request. I'm now honestly convinced the problem isn't on my side.

[gildedgitta]

I am actually making that last jacket! Very slowly. Do note that there is one clear patterning error that id known, and it is that the shoulder "strap" part is not long enough, so you should immediately lengthen that for a mock up!

[StellaMariaGiulia]

I loved this video!
I knew a couple of them but the jacket alone is priceless! I want to make one.
If you have more, please do share ❤️

Ps. Speaking of the 20th century, Mrs Depew and Vera Venus have a few free patterns from the 30s and 40s and the V&A has two Mary Quant 60s inspired dress patterns and a Frida Kahlo huipil pattern available, if anyone is interested.

[therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

I literally spent an hour looking for a free pattern for a vintage flannel night gown for my mother. Such a timely topic!

[nix_cosplay]

I can vouch for Araea Black's patterns! I love the underbust I made with them

[robintheparttimesewer]

Wow that’s a great list! Almost a present!

I have difficulty looking things up my keywords and phrasing don’t make sense to anyone but me. So unless a kid is feeling like it I avoid that nightmare. It’s just frustrating.

TLDR any time you want to do a video like this I’m all for it!!!

[mayfair_forest_witch]

I can't handle how beautiful you are in this video, I mean, you are always beautiful of course, but your overall look here is above and beyond!

[MabruBlack]

Mood also has a sleeves pattern bundle called ‘MDF312 – The Valli Sleeve Pattern Pack’, there are a few there that could be used for historical modifications. It can be found under the ‘accessories’ section.

[taylorwidmer]

I made a long skirt version of the Bridgerton dress over the summer! It came out so cute.

[samanthakessel]

I am very close to finishing a jacket... It is a wool patchwork where I have whipped the wool squares toogether with wool thread and the resulting fabrics folded and top-stitched to pattern pieces made of cotton batting. Then the pattern pieces are whipped together.

[jackiejames]

This was a great introduction to free patterns, and I would be very interested in seeing what else is out there.

[heathermclaren]

Great suggestions! I have spent a of time staring at Mood patterns to work out how to hack them. I want to make the Yarrow dress anyway but hadn't thought of using it for a shirtwaist!

[jeannegreeneyes]

Thank you and yes, I'd enjoy more free pattern sources and ideas videos. Be great to watch you make some of them as well.

[aniE]

Your blouse makes you look like a cute little pumpkin! 🧡

[lynndragon]

I’d love to see you try a few of those modifications to the patterns

[believeinfaeries]

I have a couple of the Mood patterns saved! I hadn’t thought to try to make historically inspired clothes with them. I can also vouch for the Aranea Black patterns. I have used many of her patterns to make some great corsets.

[bonniehyden]

You could never put out too many videos, Dear Lady!

[jessicabey]

Oh and thank you for this!

I downloaded some of AB corset patterns and I did see she had a YT channel that she has some tutorials.

[dianerobb]

I enjoyed the video you presented sharing free patterns from Mood, I am interested in seeing more like this, thank you and God richly bless you and your family