Tailoring
18th Century Women’s Jacket
This jacket shows an example of women’s tailoring, with historical construction methods used alongside tailoring techniques.
Shaping and structure were achieved through layering domette and horsehair canvas between the outer silk and taffeta lining, with the front edges of the bodice and skirt, the pocket flaps, and the cuffs all having canvas backing.
Precise pressing was also used to create neat seams and finishes.
A great deal of care was taken in the cutting and marking process to ensure pattern matching where possible.
18th Century Men’s Waistcoat
This waistcoat was started as part of a tailoring workshop during The Costume Symposium 2025, and finished some time after.
It has a horsehair canvas backing, single welt pockets with pocket flaps, and a gromets with lacing at the back.
Although this is not a period-accurate fabric choice, the vibrant elephant pattern allowed a good practice of pattern-matching.
Men’s Regency Waistcoat Half
A half front of a men’s Regency waistcoat with lapel and welt pocket.
This was completed as part of a tailoring workshop where skills such as pad stitching, pressing, and welt pockets were taught.
Pockets
A selection of pocket samples, showing welts, pocket flaps, standard pocket bags and pocket bags containing ticket pockets.
Samples are completed in a variety of fabrics to practice this skill.
