Out of all the patterns I've designed in the past 18 years, the Girls' 1780s Portrait Dress pattern is, hands down, my own daughters' very favorite. I've made them so many dress-up dresses from this pattern in toiles and stripes and prints, and they want new ones as soon as they outgrow them! But this year, both girls asked if I could make dresses that looked more like something "Felicity" (the now retired--sigh--American Girl doll) would wear.

Learn how to correctly set 18th-century sleeves with this video tutorial.

The lovely ladies of Boyer Family Singers recently reviewed my Ladies' 1958 Party Dress pattern and are sponsoring a giveaway (of either the ladies' or girls' version). :-)

Suzi Clarke and I are so excited about everything we've packed into next year's England tour! We'll be revisiting some of our favorite places from the 2010 and 2012 tours and adding a couple of new items, including a full-dress Titanic-themed dinner in a sumptuous private dining room. We've got wonderful guest speakers

I'm headed to the UK to lead this year's Historical Fashion Tour. My group will be in Bath for the opening of the Jane Austen Festival, then in Winchester and London. You can follow us over on my Facebook page, where I'll be posting pictures and insights from the trip.

This tutorial will help you navigate through the plackets in my Regency Gown and Elegant Lady's Closet patterns.

My short tutorial shows how to make a perfect placket inside a seam.

My wonderful helper in the States finally managed to sort through the latest batch of Kangas from Kenya and post them for sale on eBay! I really scoured the markets high and low to find the prettiest Kangas with the nicest “Jina” (sayings) on them, and I think you’re going to love what we’ve got! Included

Thanks to the talented Katrina Casey of Edelweiss Patterns and her wonderful blog, Threads Magazine discovered my 1958 Party Dress pattern and asked to feature it in the July issue! Be sure to pick up a copy to see the full feature, which includes close-ups of Katrina’s beautiful cummerbund-style sash and rosette. I was so

I've finally broken down and joined Pinterest. It took me a while to be convinced due to copyright concerns, as I want to be careful that original creators get their due (photographers, designers, etc.). I've always been happy for visitors

We’re having a Spring Fling Sale here at S&S, and everything is 15% off through midnight Sunday, May 5! Please remember that Order Fulfillment is closed during this time, so all orders for paper patterns will be shipped beginning on May 6. ePatterns and eBooks, of course, are still delivered instantly. Happy Sewing

Of all the Edwardian outfits from the "Anne of Green Gables" series, the light pink traveling dress that Diana wore for her honeymoon has always been one of my favorites! Late last year I stumbled across the perfect pink bengaline moire', so I decided that now was the time to reproduce this costume!The Beatrix

Greetings from Texas! My husband and I had the privilege of attending a recreation of the 1st Class Dinner 100th anniversary commemoration of the Titanic on April 14th. As soon as we learned of the event, I knew I wanted to create a gown using your 1910 Tea Dress pattern. Not only did the pattern

A few weeks ago I attended the Jane Austen Festival in Canberra, Australia. Some of the dresses were specifically made for the event, but I had a few dresses already as my sisters, a few friends and I regularly have Jane Austen Days in which we dress up, watch a movie, eat Regency food, etc.

Taken at the Jane Austen Festival Australia – held in Canberra in April 2012. ~ Sarah Beautiful, Sarah! Bet you had a wonderful time! 

I really enjoyed making this drawstring dress! I’ve been wanting to make the drawstring dress for a long time, but I couldn’t seem to find the time to make it. Then, my husband very graciously looked after my little ones for two days in a row while I worked on the dress! It was finished

Last year, my friend and I went to the Pittsburgh JASNA Jane Austen Festival. I already had a day dress (bought online years ago), but wanted an evening dress, as the festival was having a ball. A seamstress friend of mine adapted the Elegant Lady’s Closet pattern (crossover dress, I think) so the bodice resembled

Dear Jennie, On this pictures I do wear again my ELC gown, but this time with a little addition: “Spencerino” (Italian for little spencer) as my friend called it. I based this jacket on your ELC pattern. This alteration is very easy and I made a little tutorial about it, please feel free to use 

This is my first attempt at a Titanic reproduction dress. I used your 1912 Kimono Dress Pattern for Rose’s deck dress. The dress is done in two parts. The under dress I drafted myself and it doubles as a slip. I had lost weight between the cutting and sewing of my dress so I changed