Evenstar Designs

New stays! I always say I'll never make another pair again, but then I do. This time I used American Duchess's Simplicity Pattern  with the accuracy "hacks" on the American Duchess blog. For example, I made hand sewn eyelets instead of grommets (did I ever mention I HATE grommets?), and I sewed the lining in after binding which is a more accurate 18th century construction method. I used off-white cotton for the outside and interlining, and linen for the lining. The entire garment is sewn by hand, but I did cheat and use plastic zip ties for boning. I love that these stays lace in the front and back which makes them much more adjustable and more comfy to wear. I also added some embroidery details just because I can. I successfully taught myself how to embroider the detached buttonhole stitch, which is great for making larger shapes on which you don't want to use the satin stitch.  This is the inside of the stays with pink satin ribbon lacing up the back:...

Yeah! My first tutorial featuring... Mitts! First you need a pattern which you can get here: 18th Century Mitt Pattern 1. Print and cut out the pattern. You may need to enlarge it, but don't  worry if it isn't perfect - it's just a guide line. 2. Cut out the fabric using the pattern, but make sure you leave about a 1/4 inch around the edges. 3. Put the mitt on your hand BACKWARDS. (With the pointy end on the bottom.) 4. Pin down the edge to fit your arm. 5. Stitch down the edge following your pinning line. try it on to make sure it fits! 6. Cut away the extra fabric on the edge. 7. Hem the top edge of the thumb, sew down the side seam. Try it on to make sure it fits! 8. With the mitt inside out and the thumb right side out, put the thumb inside the mitt through the thumb hole. 9. Pin it around the edge. 10. Stitch around the thumb. 11. Put on the mitt, and cut away the exce...