Ranking Each Historical Costuming Era for Beginners!

Not all historical eras are created equal! I've spent the last 2 years sewing different historical eras for the very first time, and learned firsthand which eras are great for beginners, and which ones will frustrate you beyond belief!

In this video, I've organized a tier list and will be ranking each historical era based on how easy they are for a complete beginner to start out with! I'll break each era down, talk about their availability, yardage requirements, undergarment requirements, and go into detail about what makes them easy or difficult for a very first project.

Chapters:
00:00 Ranking Historical eras
00:47 Tier List
02:44 Regency
04:35 Natural Form
05:24 Romantic Era
06:59 1790’s
08:03 Ancient Greece
09:30 Mid Victorian Working Class
10:35 17th Century
12:52 1890’s
14:23 Edwardian Era
15:30 Mid-18th Century
17:27 American Civil War
18:11 Mid-Victorian Hoop Era
19:07 Medieval Era
20:15 1780’s
21:44 Renaissance
22:40 1st & 2nd Bustle Eras
22:42 Roman
24:33 Vintage

Socials:

#tierlist #historicalfashion #beginners #beginnerfriendly #historicalcostuming #historical

[Ella-ivfk]

I'm happy living vicariously through costube but I have wanted a full pin stripe suit like Bernadette's for about 20 years and 1890s is the best silhouette. I also really want to make a kirtle. I appreciate the methodology to this video, not many people mention costs in sewing videos but it can be so prohibitive especially when you're starting out and scared of messing up

[chaotic-goodartistry]

Renaissance: it'll cost ya
Renaissance with any sort of slashing: If you like crying.

[MajaPlejada]

as a person who dove into recreating historical garments staright into 17th century, I wholeheartedly agree with you XD

[aino]

Made a men's costume for 17th cent northern europe as an absolute beginner... took me 9 months but I'm happy with the result.

[TheVintageGuidebook]

This was such a fun list! But with regard to Amer. Civil War, there's been a resurgence in this era among Black costumers trying to reclaim the fashion most of our ancestors weren't allowed (not to mention there's a lot of Little Women-core out there lol). I don't want interest in this era to die out, however you're definitely right in that it needs to be handled with care and appropriate education.

[Nebulouslystarlight]

I love how "you should go to events! Make friends!" is the biggest motivation in this video 😂 but alas, I'm an introvert and don't wanna leave my house 😂

Eta: not me, listening and working on an 1860s working gown yelling about hoop steel costs 😂😭

[phloworchylde]

Dude I literally put one seam and some safety pins in a piece of fabric yesterday and wore it with a belt. I have lots of sewing experience but have never felt something so instantly come together that I loved so much 😂 all my friends said I looked like a goddess 😁

[OcarinaSapphr-]

Absolutely *living* for your 17th c rant, lol!
My first costumes were Hellenistic, vaguely Anglo-Saxon/ Dark Ages- early Middle Ages, & 1910's*-1920's
*tbf, Australian Federation is a bit simpler than full-on Edwardian glory, but lace & tucks were still a feature...

[sylviapellicore]

My first era was “Renn Faire” where I could start from some true historical patterns but not worry so much about the details or accurate ($$$$) fabrics

[Shahrezad]

My first Historical Costuming project was a Medieval Kirtle.

I still haven't gotten the hang out of reading patterns, so I still tend to stick to simply shaped outfits or just drafting my own patterns.

So I've made a lot of shifts, a lot of tunics, a Chiton, a lot of 1700's-style petticoats, an Aesthetic Dress Reform Dress, and recently a Smokkr/Apron Dress.

I am branching out, though, with my first Dirndl-style bodice for a Hobbit costume. It's based on a pattern I draped on my dress form (the duct taped kind, a beginner staple 😉).

Wish me luck!

[liav]

1920s one hour dresses are a fantastic first stop after a chiton .

I think 1780s is likely my next actual full build. I’ve got a specific one I’m creating in lounge wear so I may as well work on a day dress at least since I have most of the under layers. Just need a suitable fabric.

Right now I have so many ideas but so little time 😂 yet I still prefer prioritizing hand sewing over machine sewing

[asterismos]

Oh my god it's so nice to find someone who's into the 1600s! I've fallen in love with the 1690s and want to make a few bodices (thankfully I draft my own patterns and enjoy doing so, and am not a super tight stickler for accuracy, so that won't hold me back) but it's so strange to see virtually no content about the era on here, given how gorgeous it is.

[susanpilling]

A great video for those starting out and those of us thinking about branching out. As an English Civil War re-enactor I agree wholeheartedly about the lack of 17th century patterns etc. Even the old standby of using portraiture is difficult as, let's face it, people don't really have portraits done in wartime. It's also very expensive, with about 4 yards of wool for a skirt, and heavy. I love it though, and the research can take you down some fascinating rabbit holes.

[cayfletcher]

I started with a smattering of mid 1800's (pairie dresses ala Oregon trail in elementary school), vaguely medieval for Ren Faires and 17th century pirate attire. But now I'm firmly in the medieval and Tudor eras with a fantasy twist. Though I do help my wife with her Victorian and Edwardian garb.

[TheCurt]

I'm a professional costume designer and I have a horde of 17th century patterns. They are out there and granted, half of my horde is out of print, but even the historical reconstruction pattern companies have some great options. It's a great period and I had a 30 person show to costume a few years ago...I didn't have time to draft (other than a cartwheel), so I used pre-made and altered as needed because I know the period very well. I guess thats the key. Love the video!!

[wanderingspark]

As someone who started in early 17th c with almost no sewing experience, I would argue that early 17th c should go in 'If you like crying', instead of 'Nope!', especially if you're doing working class. You can basically get away with using a Tudor kirtle as your foundation garment, and there are a bunch of reenactment groups that have helpful websites.

Renaissance really, /really/ depends on what part of Europe you're talking about. 16th c Ireland falls squarely into NOPE! There is only one company that makes patterns for it, and said company's patterns are generally not known for being beginner-friendly. Other information sources are difficult-to-impossible to find (ask me how I know), and a proper outfit requires 15+ yd of fabric. But, 16th c. Ireland has THE MOST EPIC SLEEVES in history. Poofy sleeves that hang all the way down to your knees.

[mnels]

I started 16th Century and could stay in that era forever. So easy, and the style is gorgeous. You can go very expensive complex silk and kirtle, or a simple wool kirtle (forgiving, relatively inexpensive fabric). And either way you go it is beautiful.

[tigerwalton]

My first costuming piece was a Medieval gown that looked a lot like Merida's from Brave, except it was in creams and golds. It also started life as a set of curtains from a thrift shop! That was in either grade 7 or 8.

[Me-hmfv]

Thank you so much for making this video! The other day I was just thinking about which era would be the easiest to start with and this video was very helpful!

[LaurasBookBlog]

I wanna do the 17th century so badly, but I can't find patterns and I do NOT have the skillset to grade from pattern books. But those Stuart gowns are so gorgeous!