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

The 1940s Scalloped Apron pattern is here!

I know I promised you this pattern months ago, but I have been so busy wearing an apron made from this pattern that I haven’t had a chance to finish formatting the pattern!

Since I practically live in my apron during the late summer/fall canning season, I have very particular requirements for the apron I wear:

1. It must not need continual attention (straps falling off your shoulder, straps around your neck shifting forward, skirt twisting around, etc.).


2. It must cover my skirt well--not only the front, but the sides and back!


3. It must have pockets that are of a practical size.


4. It must be flattering--after all, can’t you cook better when you’re satisfied with your appearance? (Ok, maybe you can’t, but still...)

This apron meets all of my requirements. Believe me, it has been extensively kitchen-tested, and has come through with flying colors!

Download Price: $6.00 Download Now

Fashion [re]Model: Dress to Skirt

Here is one of my latest sewing projects: a 25-cent thrift store dress that has been remodeled to become one of my very favorite skirts! With so many colors in the floral print, it can be matched with almost every shirt in my closet!

First I ripped out the sleeves and shoulder seams. I tried it on and pinned the side seams before I cut the extra material off. Below is a diagram showing the approximate cutting lines:
The dress had a short zipper in the center back. I ripped it out and moved it down to line up with the new waistline, and finished the waistline with a simple, narrow hem that won't add bulk.

So there it is: the best quarter I've spent in a long time!

Be sure to visit the Biblical Womanhood blog for more Frugal Friday ideas!

How Do E-Patterns Work?

Here is a step-by-step guide to downloading and printing Hint of History e-patterns.

Once you buy the pattern, you will be sent an email with the download link. Save the patterns to your computer as instructed on the download page.

The patterns are in .pdf format. If you do not already have it, download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader which you will need to open the .pdf files.

Included in the download package for the Basic Kimono Dress are three files:

All files are formatted to print on standard 8.5" x 11" paper. When you click on "print", check the printer settings to make sure that "page scaling" is set to "none".


Once you have printed out the pages, check the reference line which will be on one of the pages and make sure that it is 4" long.

Each pattern piece has a number and letter in the corner. A diagram is included in the pattern file that shows you how the pieces go together. Simply tape the pieces together in the correct order, and you're ready to go!

The Day-Before-Easter Circle Skirt

On the Friday evening before Easter, my sister decided that she wanted a new skirt to wear on Sunday. Fortunately, the size of our fabric stash makes such spur-of-the-moment projects possible! We found some pretty spring-colored calico and sent it to the washing machine so it would be ready to cut out on Saturday morning.

I folded the fabric to form a square, then cut the pieces out without a pattern, using pins to mark a few important lines. Because of the size of the fabric, the skirt had three seams: one at each side and one in the center back. The only measurements I needed were the waist to hem length (though that was determined by the size of the fabric) and the waist measurement. We decided to put in an elasticized waistband, so the waist measurement took that into account.

Here is a diagram showing how the pieces were cut out:
My sister did all of the sewing herself (with the exception of the top stitching on the bias tape, when I took pity on her!) and was able to finish the skirt by early Saturday afternoon.

We decided to bind the hem with double fold bias tape for three reasons:

1. The fabric was so lightweight I thought it would benefit from a heavier and more defined hemline.

2. The pink of the bias tape helped bring out the pink flowers in the fabric, which were otherwise lost in a sea of blue-green.

3. Circular skirts are a pain to hem. =D

Adapting the Shawl Collar Dress for Nursing

A mother asked me if I had any ideas for altering the Shawl Collar Dress so that it can be worn as a nursing dress. After a much-too-long delay, here is my proposed solution:

There would be an inner front waistband sewn to the skirt and the center front inset. The outer waistband, sewn to the two fronts of the bodice, would be attached to the inner waistband and each other by snaps (the circles) and skirt hooks and eyes (the dots).

Here is a diagram showing how to cut out the inset, using as a guide the bodice pattern and the original triangular inset piece.

I have not tested this idea, so I will not guarantee that it works! If you try this, or have discovered your own way to adapt the pattern for nursing mothers, I would love to hear about it.