How to Get Started in Historical Costuming

Welcome to CoCoVid! I've had a lot of requests for a video about how to get started in historical costuming, so I hope this answers all your questions. If not, please feel free to comment below or dm me on instagram with any additional questions.

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*Resources*

*Instructions for the CoCoVid Badge Collection Game:*

All badges have different conditions for collection. You may need to watch a video to find the QR Code/Claim Code, or you may need to participate in one of the many activities happening on Instagram or in the Discord Server.

Use the hashtag #cocovidbadges on Instagram to post your collection, and visit the Badge Game channel on the CoCoVid Discord Server to show off and chat about your collection

If you have any questions, just leave a comment and I will try to help. Try to collect them all and best of all, have fun!

[SirFrederick]

Wish CosTubers were a thing what I was a kid. Been sewing for 24 years (started when I was 14 in 18th Century) and just learned what interfacing layers were last year. I made up stitches by myself and looked at old paintings for styles and used body parts to scale to myself ( I looked at a hand on the painting and got some dividers/calipers out to measure and then used my own hand for a ruler).

[thebratqueen]

I like how you broke down the steps for beginners. Not just because I'm a beginner but because it was a nice way to give concrete goals to work towards. Thank you.

[alicebowers]

Thank you so much for speaking to me. I have been watching Historical Costuming for some time now, but always felt it was beyond my capabilities. You gave me the confidence to go ahead, "I can Do This". I think I might me the "Mee Maw" they have been talking about. 80 years old, sewing for many years, but still feel like a newbie when starting something new. The plan is to start with a camisole/petticoat/chemise if I can find an old sheet that will work. Thank you again for showing faith in beginners.

[tenaoconnor]

My mom and grandma started me out sewing doll clothes. You get the basic idea how things are made and 18 in doll clothes patterns are easy to find sew. Then move on to people clothes 🙂

[woodenkat]

Just finished my first chemise. Time to move on to a petticoat!

Teaching my self how to sew with modern clothes and then trying to play with more historical stuff. It's a journey!

[selkiemorien]

I will be coming back to this, whenever I need to be picked up from frustrating failures XD

[davidhutchison]

Good advice for anyone starting sewing, either historical or modern. I've been sewing for over 20 years, and still use patterns as a guide.
I still have the first costume that I sewed over 20 years ago (pied piper) and, boy have I learned a lot. Eg I did no seam finishes, no tailoring for fit etc, but it served its purpose. My son recently wore it to a party and it still looked better than most of the new commercial costumes most of the guests wore. New commercial "historical" costumes are just so bad. One poor girls costume started to fall apart whilst she was wearing it, but fortunately we had a suitable costume in our stash that she could change into.

[sarahbrooklynstudios]

Thank you I really enjoyed this video. Baby costumer here! Although I’ve been sewing since I was 12, I’ve never made clothes or costumes. I just finished making a regency dress and altered it a little since I won’t be wearing stays. Now I have to make a petticoat because it’s see through Muslin! I might dye it blue so it looks like Eliza Hamilton’s burn dress. I’m doing a 1940s dress next because no special undergarments (although that’s more vintage than historical). My dream era/costume is to make a 1860s ensemble so that I can do civil war reenactment. I’m only in high school and I try to make things I’m excited about and can where places

[CrowingHen]

this is so useful.
I want to make historical clothes, but too introverted to go to events.
thank you for making it easier to get started.

[CommanderFox]

I literally did everything you said not to do 😂😂😂 I started wit the 18th century, bought the singer machine (inexpensive, I promise you), made the stays (two!), drafted a pattern, made a fitted thing....but it all worked out and was a lot of fun too

[anska]

There should be a hidden CoCoVid game to spot everyone‘s pets and learn their names. =) Thank you for another great and helpful video. I especially liked how you reasoned with which type of projects and which era you‘d suggest to start. Though I think I‘ll start my own costuming-journey with the dress-reform dresses that had their own little event this weekend. They also look fairly simple (if so desired), the style doesn‘t require a corset which makes it seem like a good place to start too.

[Mommamacnz]

This was an incredibly helpful talk. I've been sewing off and on since I was about 11 years old - so about 43 years now - and I still have little idea on how to alter commercial patterns to properly fit my figure. However, over the last year or so I've been watching videos by various CosTubers and I think I'm getting how to do that. I want to make a Victorian/Edwardian walking skirt for myself and about a month ago I got out from the library the Janet Arnold book with the skirt I want to attempt. I just have to clear off the table in my work area so I can have a go at getting the pattern from the book to the paper so that I can make a mock up (something else I've never done - a mock up that is. Mind you, I've not drafted a pattern before either). Your talk has encouraged me to have a go at this project instead of just putting it into the too hard basket.

[alexandrapollux]

I totally started my costuming journey the hard way, trying to scale up patterns from books. Finally, my first finished project was a Regency gown in cotton, from Sense & Sensibility.

[clairewulf]

i'm so close to finishing my first historical costume and it's great to know that the community welcomes new blood!

[LoveEntwined]

I keep thinking I'm a completely beginner with this stuff, but some of those things you listed off, "Make a buttonhole, work with elastic, follow a pattern, " I've already done! I'm not as much a novice as I think I am.

[naminicholson]

Thank you so much, Rebecca. You're so encouraging, which is really helpful. I'm one of those who is by no means new to sewing, but is only just dipping a toe in the Historical Costuming world. I'd love a follow-up to this on attending your first HC event, especially when you are going in cold and don't know anyone. Someday we will have events to attend! This is Nancy from the Wednesday group, BTW.

[lindagoulder]

I ran across a Husk Varna Viking Rose Sewing machine in a second hand shop, for twenty dollars, in excellent working condition. The second hand shop didn't realize what the had and I ended up with a great machine.

[kimberlypiter]

Thank you for being so encouraging!! I have been quilting for years and your video has given me the courage to make an outfit! Thanks for the push! I love how enthusiastic you come across. It's been a real pleasure to watch your video and I'll be viewing them all.

[amb]

I had been a knitter for almost 15 years when I decided I wanted to try making a Doctor Strange cosplay, Cloak of Levitation and all... but I hadn't sewn since, like, middle school and I was terrible at it back then. I had to teach myself how to sew and use a machine and many things, and it took MONTHS, but I got it done! That was a few years ago, and I've had a bit more practice. The next cosplay I'm starting in the new year is a mashup of a traditional Viking smokrr (apron dress) with Loki/Sylvie aesthetic -- I'll even be doing all the embroidery by hand! :D

[Alisaswonderland]

You have such a lovely engaging manner, so easy to watch. I have been sewing my own everyday clothes for years but you got me wondering about dipping my toe into costuming. Thank you!