New Shop, New Sale, New Year!

Happy New Year! 2014's notes, sketches, and designs are cleared from my "inspiration wall" and I'm excited to see what new projects will fill it up in 2015!

To start out the new year I've moved my Etsy shop and changed my username. The patterns are the same and outwardly it may not look much different, but the move makes me happy. In hopes that you'll be happy, too, here's a "New Shop for the New Year" coupon--type "new15" to save 15% on any purchase from the Hint of History Etsy store until Monday, January 5th!

If I made resolutions (though I usually spare myself the mortification) every year I would probably resolve to become more organized, keep better records, and declutter my sewing/crafting/creating stashes. I've done a lot of knitting in the last month or so (it just seems right at this time of year!), and one small step I've taken in organizing my creative projects is to record knitting projects on my Ravelry account so I won't have to ask myself, "Which pattern was that? What yarn did I use? Dare I wash these socks or will they shrink beyond redemption and have to be donated as boot-liners to one of my little nieces?" What are your creative resolutions for 2015?

1920s Wedding Gown--New Pattern!

I'm excited to announce my latest pattern: 

the 1920s Parliment Wedding Gown! 

Back in October a customer contacted me through my Etsy shop with her Grandmother's wedding photograph from the 1920s. She asked if I could recreate the wedding dress for an 18" doll.

Challenge accepted!

Here's my initial sketch. In the final design I ditched the bow in back and added full-length sleeves.

Although the 1920s are not my favorite fashion era (it's hard to compete with those lovely Edwardian dresses, in my opinion!), I enjoyed the challenge of designing in a new fashion era. The pattern includes a veil and a second dress with a three layer petal-edged skirt--perfect for a 20s bridesmaid!

Cyber Monday Sale!

Save 30% on downloadable patterns in Hint of History's Etsy store!

Valid through December 7th

1812 Day Dress Sewing Kits!

When I was getting the 1812 Day Dress doll pattern ready this spring, I also designed a "roller print" based on the textiles of the era, planning to use it in a pre-printed doll dress kit.

I'm happy to report that the 1812 Day Dress sewing kits are now available on Etsy!

The kit comes in a resealable plastic bag and includes:
--Pre-printed dress fabric--just cut out the pieces along the solid lines!
--Velcro for the back closure
--Lace for the neck and sleeves
--Complete illustrated instructions

The 1812 Day Dress is also available as a pattern or download.

My latest sewing project . . .

(Ok, technically my latest project was replacing buttons on a shirt, 

but that doesn't make a very good post.) :)

In May one of my cousins and good friends got married, and I was honored to be the wedding dress designer and seamstress! After a trip to the local fabric store to check out our options, we brainstormed together a bit and I sketched out a design that would incorporate the embroidered fabric and vintage-style silver buttons she wanted.

The dress has two parts: a simple white underdress with a lace overlay and an embroidered, full length jacket/overdress with short sleeves, three buttons on the waistband, and a twirly, Gunne Sax style ruffle at the hem.

Visit my sister-in-law's blog, Simple Days, for more pictures!

Updated covers!

It's hard to believe it's been seven years since I launched my first pattern--the Shawl Collar Dress. It's still one of my most popular patterns, and a personal favorite!

Though some things stay the same, others change--including my branding and illustration style! When I ordered the most recent batch of instructions for patterns #101 and #102, I decided that it was time for the covers to get a little facelift:

The new, b&w cover is integrated into the instructional booklet (the instructions got a bit of a makeover, too!) and I'm really pleased with the results. There are still a few older covers left in the inventory, but I'm excited to introduce this updated look!

Now in the shop!

For those of you who aren't a fan of e-patterns and downloads, four of my 18" doll designs are now available as really-truly arrive-by-snail-mail patterns in addition to the .pdf digital format! I'm really excited to be able to offer these--and also to standardize my cover designs, little by little . . . .

The newly-available patterns are:

1812 Day Dress
Victorian Walking Ensemble
1912 Kimono Dress Variations
1930s Hooverette Dress