More 19th C. Needlework & Sewing resources

Without further ado,

I am going to start this off saying I wish there was one central resource for access to free knitting and sewing patterns for our wonderful hobby.

That being said, this will forever be under construction, but for now here's some stuff to get you started:


Sewing patterns:

The Sewing Academy- The Compendium  - great resource not only for patterns but for how to dress, act, etc, for a variety of Civilian subjects.  This is where the legendary instructions for drafting your own underpinnings and slat bonnets are hidden.






Knitting Patterns:

CWNeedleWorkers- look them up on Yahoo! Groups!  They have a lot of valuable info and patterns!

Godey's 1856 Opera Hood pattern & notes from 7LetterDeborah - a very user friendly pattern!  The opera hood is done in straight garter stitch, the only other things you have to know is how to decrease (knit tog), cast off and cast on!

New England Muffatees, 19th C. by Virginia Mescher - some basic muffatees worked flat and sewn together based on 19th C. examples from 1830-1870. (requires purl)

Reprint and Translation: 1860 Godey's Sontag by Colleen Formby - basic reprint as well as a translation and resizing for a basic basket weave Sontag. (Requires purl & opt. crochet)

Godey's 1858 Sortie Cap - the 'infamous' sortie cap, however these are the original instructions with some modern day notes and tips! 

Godey's 1864 Winter Shawl - Easy and basic winter shawl, triangular

Godey's 1862 Knitted Garters - "fairly" Easy, period garters!  No more farby elastics or falling stockings!


Crochet Patterns:

'Greek Purse' crochet pattern- From 'World Turn'd Upside Down'- her entire blog is a wealth of patterns and such, check it out!




Other/Miscellaneous Patterns & How-To's that might be Handy:

How to Make Dorset Buttons - originating in 18th C. England using rings from the horns of Dorset sheep, these cool easy buttons have been used ever since.  Metal rings can be substituted for sheep horn.

How To Make Death's Head Buttons- Wooded Hamlet Designs - a 'Leek' style of thread buttons similar to Dorsets!  Used throughout the 16th -19th centuries.


***  If you have a link to a pattern you think fellow reenactors would benefit from, please share!***