Shop for Sarah's books on Amazon.
Buying these books is the best way to show your support for what we do and help us keep doing it!
Sewing Accessories
"Let us candidly confess our indebtedness to the needle. How many hours of sorrow has it softened, how many bitter irritations calmed, how many confused thoughts reduced to order, how many life-plans sketched in purple?"
—Caroline H. Dall, quoted in "Wise Words About Women." Good Housekeeping. June 25, 1887. p. 94.
Photo courtesy Estar Hyo-Gyung Choi, Mary Studio.
***
***
"In 1853, the first Singer sewing machines sold for one hundred American dollars each. They weren’t the only machines available, but thanks to enthusiastic sales tactics, by 1855 Singer was already “the world’s largest sewing company.” A Singer sewing machine won first place in the Paris World’s Fair in 1855, and the next year salesman Edward Clark originated a purchase-by-installment plan that allowed even the lower classes to buy sewing machines. In 1863, around 20,000 sewing machines were sold annually by the Singer Company alone; and by 1870 this figure had jumped to 170,000! By 1880, Singer’s worldwide sales exceeded 500,000 machines, and in 1889 (the year our beloved house was completed) the company produced their first electric sewing machine." —Excerpted from Sarah's book, This Victorian Life.
Some of Sarah's favorite sewing tools and notions:
Jem's Tailor's chalk
This company dates from 1906, and they are still producing a wonderful product - Sarah' favorite! It glides with perfect smoothness over any fabric.
***
This company dates from 1906, and they are still producing a wonderful product - Sarah' favorite! It glides with perfect smoothness over any fabric.
***
Embroidery hoops
For holding fabric while doing fancywork or flat repairs.
***
For holding fabric while doing fancywork or flat repairs.
***
Embroidery stencils made of tin (a gift from Gabriel to Sarah on their 10th wedding anniversary.)
(The 10th anniversary is traditionally the tin anniversary.)
***
(The 10th anniversary is traditionally the tin anniversary.)
***
Darning egg
For holding fabric or knits while doing rounded repairs (such as on socks.)
***
For holding fabric or knits while doing rounded repairs (such as on socks.)
***
Pinking shears: First patented in 1893 by Louise Austin of Whatcom Co., WA - our home state! To read the text of Ms. Austin's original patent, visit: http://www.google.com/patents/US489406
***
***
Strawberry-shaped pincushion.
***
***
Thimble and walnut-shaped thimble holder for chatelaine.
***
***
Book-shaped pincushion for chatelaine
***
***
Embroidery scissors for chatelaine
***
***
Shell buttons
Period fabrics
We only use natural fibers and patterns which were available in the late 19th-century.
Here are a few of our favorite sources for fabric:
Reproduction Fabrics:
Cotton fabric printed with designs from 1775-1950. www.reproductionfabrics.com
William Booth Draper:
Fabrics (including cotton, silk, wool, linen and hemp), and notions. www.wmboothdraper.com
D.C. Dalgliesh (Tartans):
The last of Scotland’s arti- san tartan weavers. Ninety percent of small clan tartans are only available from this mill. http://www.dcdalgliesh.co.uk
Dashing Tweeds: https://www.dashingtweeds.co.uk
The Lining Company: Quality linings and trimmings.
http://www.theliningcompany.co.uk/.
Woven by Water: Quality cotton fabrics woven by a historic water mill! http://wovenbywater.com
We only use natural fibers and patterns which were available in the late 19th-century.
Here are a few of our favorite sources for fabric:
Reproduction Fabrics:
Cotton fabric printed with designs from 1775-1950. www.reproductionfabrics.com
William Booth Draper:
Fabrics (including cotton, silk, wool, linen and hemp), and notions. www.wmboothdraper.com
D.C. Dalgliesh (Tartans):
The last of Scotland’s arti- san tartan weavers. Ninety percent of small clan tartans are only available from this mill. http://www.dcdalgliesh.co.uk
Dashing Tweeds: https://www.dashingtweeds.co.uk
The Lining Company: Quality linings and trimmings.
http://www.theliningcompany.co.uk/.
Woven by Water: Quality cotton fabrics woven by a historic water mill! http://wovenbywater.com
How I make my clothes:
http://www.thisvictorianlife.com/blog/how-i-make-my-clothes
Back to Everyday Life
***
***
In a seaport town in the late 19th-century Pacific Northwest, a group of friends find themselves drawn together —by chance, by love, and by the marvelous changes their world is undergoing. In the process, they learn that the family we choose can be just as important as the ones we're born into. Join their adventures in
The Tales of Chetzemoka
***
Anthologies
True Ladies
and Proper Gentlemen
***
Non-fiction
For words of wit and advice sage,
I hope you'll like my author page!
History lessons, folks who dare,
Please do share it while you're there!
YouTube.com/@Victorianlady
***