Author Archives: Lisha Vidler

About Lisha Vidler

I am a sewing instructor living near Memphis, Tennessee.

1831 Archery Outfits

Posted on November 8, 2013 by

Friday’s Fashion Plates: Archery Outfits, 1831 Today we have two outfits designed for archery from La Belle Assemblée magazine. (Click any image to view it full-size.) In 1831, the Romantic Era was just beginning. Waistlines dropped to a more natural … Continue reading →

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Period Costume for Stage and Screen: 1500-1800

Posted on October 31, 2013 by

Thursday’s Book Review Period Costume for Stage and Screen: 1500-1800 by Jean Hunnisett Rating 4 = Satisfactory

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Ladies’ Undergarments: Bloomers, Pantaloons, or Drawers?

Posted on October 7, 2013 by

Monday’s Mish-Mash: Ladies’ Undergarments: Bloomers, Pantaloons, or Drawers? Women’s drawers have frequently been misidentified. All it takes is a quick search of eBay and you’ll find plenty of Victorian drawers that have been mislabeled. So, what’s the difference between bloomers, … Continue reading →

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The Phantom of the Opera in Miniature: Hannibal Ballet Costume

Posted on September 18, 2013 by

This new sewing diary chronicles the making of the Hannibal Ballet Costume, one in a series of doll-sized costumes inspired by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, The Phantom of the Opera. Sewing Diary—The Phantom of the Opera in Miniature: Hannibal Ballet … Continue reading →

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Digital Color: Adding Color to Your Croquis

Posted on August 15, 2013 by

In Croquis: Fashion Sketches, Part I and Part II, you learned how to draw fashion sketches. But suppose you want to color your croquis? In this new two-part article, you’ll find detailed instructions on how to scan and clean up … Continue reading →

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Victorian Fashion and Costumes From Harper’s Bazar: 1867-1898

Posted on August 8, 2013 by

Thursday’s Book Review: Victorian Fashion and Costumes From Harper’s Bazar: 1867-1898, by Stella Blum Rating 5 = Shiny!

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The Phantom of the Opera in Miniature—White Dressing Gown

Posted on August 4, 2013 by

Sunday’s Someday Project: The Phantom of the Opera in Miniature—White Dressing Gown Previously, I mentioned my plans to make each of the major costumes from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. First, the Hannibal Ballet costume and the … Continue reading →

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Zippered Clutch

Posted on July 17, 2013 by

Wednesday’s Project: A Zippered Clutch I’ve been wanting a basic zippered pouch, like a flat clutch or wallet. Since I couldn’t find anything that suited my purpose, I decided to make one. This type of pattern was surprisingly hard to … Continue reading →

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1864 Bathing Dresses

Posted on July 5, 2013 by

Friday’s Fashion Plate: 1864 Bathing Dresses Today we have four bathing dresses, as featured in a fashion plate from July 1864. This was the height of the hoopskirt era, when dresses were full and bell-shaped. You can see the current … Continue reading →

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The Phantom of the Opera in Miniature—Hannibal Ballet Costume

Posted on June 30, 2013 by

Sunday’s Someday Projects: The Phantom of the Opera in Miniature—Hannibal’s Ballet Costume & Elissa’s Skirt In October 2011, I attended a live screening of the 25th anniversary performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. It was phenomenal! … Continue reading →

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