FAQ:
Q: “How can I get X pattern in Y size?”
A: You must scale it yourself. There are a number of dressmaking books from the same period as the patterns available online for free that can teach you how to do this.
Q: “How can I buy X pattern?”
A: Invent a time machine. These are not LARP/cosplay repro patterns but historical documents.
Q: “I am looking for X pattern/type of pattern. Do you have it?”
A: Check out The Directory for my carefully created index of all patterns on this blog organized by era, article of clothing, and purpose.
Q: “Do you have more detailed directions on how to make X?”
A: No. Women and dressmakers back then already knew what they were doing so directions were minimal. I recommend reading one of the many dressmaking books published in the period available for free online for more guidance.
Q: “I have a basic sewing question! Can you help?”
A: Nope. This blog is just for archiving. Sorry.
Q: “I want to buy X magazine/X book! Where do I get it?”
A: No idea. The usual places? Ebay? Your local antique bookshop? Google? Sheer luck? Generally time, a sharp eye, and persistence pays off. I found a giant tome of Demorest once in a random florida bookshop. Do your research and look around.
Q: “Do you have any tips on how to create X pattern?”
A: Nope. See other answers above.
Q: “I am looking for dress patterns that look like X’s clothes! What do you have?”
A: I’m not gonna do that search for you- I’ve created The Directory for everyone for that.
Q: “I am looking for more genuine patterns from 1820 and earlier. Will you be posting more?”
A: This is actually a worthwhile question! It seems that timeframe is difficult to score patterns from. Years ago someone contacted me about visiting the Smithsonian to search through their collection to see what I could find. Unfortunately I was living overseas and unable to take them up on it. Smithsonian friend, if you’re still out there, I’m back now- let’s meet up!!!
Q: “How can you post all these patterns? Isn’t there copyright??”
A: No. All patterns posted are 90-220+ years old and are now cultural heritage. Copyright has long expired, and No, even if someone scans a pattern and creates an image of it, that does NOT create a new miraculous copyright for an image of an expired document or magically renew an old one. Really, there’s US court precident on this. Look it up. History, and access to that history, belongs to everybody, including the art and crafting culture of our forebearers, whether some people like it or not.
Q: “Will you be posting on this blog again in the near future?”
A: I dunno man...I’d like to if I had more time. Honestly I’d love to make this blog an organized hub of everything out there online. There are a lot of fb groups out there posting original patters now, too. If you run one of these pages and would be willing to add your scans/images to the archive here on tumblr, DM me and let me know! I think that’d be a real cool project to do.
Q: "Why is there a tipping button?!"
A: Over the ten years this blog has been around, people have approached me offering to buy me a coffee for my work. I used to argue about this, but given some recent events have decided to bend. Nothing has changed, though- may the patterns always spread freely!
