I just added an article on this early 20th Century feather fan. It was a fun project and I learned a lot about sewing feathers onto fabric, curling them and goose feathers in particular. You can find it here.
How I made this fan…
How to shape a plume
I just added a video/article on how to shape the stem of an Ostrich plume to get that perfect shape for and 18th C feather headdress. Also perfect of an 16th C hats with clusters of smaller plumes. Video here
American Girl Doll 18thC Corset
I just added a pattern for the American Girl doll using this extant Child’s corset as a model. You can download and read more here.
Reviving a Sausage Curl Fall
I just added an article on how to revive a long sausage curl fall. Find it here.
Learn feather skills by destruction
Among all these millinery feather is one Ostrich plume right in the center, the burgundy one, well I took it apart just to see how it was out together and learned some things. You might be interested if you make plumes for period hats from new feathers. Click here.
Adding two Vintage/Antique Plumes to one Hairpin
If you are lucky enough to have some vintage Ostrich plumes like these and want to have an 18th C feather ornament to add to you hair, then how are you going to do it. Follow my How-to and you will find it’s simple and does the trick of anchoring the plumes really well. I added this article to another article on making a three feather 18th C hairpin with new feathers. click here.and go about 1/2 way down the page.
Hinge Purse Footing
I just added an article on how I made this purse to add to an antique frame. Mainly how I made the footing out of buckram, fabric and beads. Find it in the purse articles or here.
Laurie Tavan modeling the finished purse.
Silk Wheat
I just added an article on how to make silk wheat stalks for millinery decorations. you can find it here.
Regency Obi pattern & instructions
Inspired by these Illustrations in “Fashions of London and Paris” magazine 1804 a set of instructions that will let you block a plain sewn straw hat into this wonderful shape. There are more pictures of the hat, modeled by Laurie Tavan on the order page. I’m taking pre-orders at 20% off until Oct. 1st 2023. Here
How to pattern a hinge purse bag
I just added a pdf handout on how to pattern the replacement bag for a hinge purse. You can find it on this page with links to “How-to” articles on three types of hinge purse bags.