James Williams
Historical Tailor
When taking measurements for a pair of trousers, it’s very important that you are taking each measurement from the same height. In the 1860s, trousers were worn at the natural waist, or about the level of the belly button. If you have trousers that fit properly for the period, please take your measurements while wearing …
Have you noticed that modern day fad of wearing your trousers too low? Today’s trousers are often worn at the hips, or even lower, which can be quite disturbing! This practice has carried over into the living history world, unfortunately, and you can easily spot reenactors with three of four inches between the trouser waistband …
The Madder Root Prior to the creation of man made, synthetic dyes in the late 19th century, all dyeing was done with natural products. One such dye was extracted from the the roots of the Madder family or Rubia, a type of perennial scrambling shrubs and herbs. These Madder plants grow in many parts of …
Before the first stitch is made, and before the drafting pencil ever touches the paper, measurements must be taken. When measuring, the goal is to obtain as much information about the client's figure as possible. Since most of my work involves Devere's Handbook of Practical Cutting, 1866, I'm using his methods of measuring.
Tailoring knowledge has traditionally passed down from master to apprentice, with little written down. Tailors had their own secret methods of construction, and were not keen on other tailors gaining this knowledge. Sadly, this has led to there being very little information available on tailoring today. Most books published were cutting manuals, with the authors …
