History and tradition

Historical fabrics… our secret passion! Or maybe not so secret. We devote a whole section of our shop to historical reproduction fabrics and this area of our blog brings you articles that pull back the curtain on how fabrics were made or worn in different eras. Join us in tracking down historical materials and tracing how patterns came and went. See how everything from magnificent brocades to simple canvas fabrics were made. We have studied ancient weaving techniques and completed historical textile analysis training. We maintain contact with museum curators and staff at historical institutions across the globe. It all comes together to raise the bar for our authentic historical reproduction fabrics.

Sashiko, the Japanese art of mending

12.06.2023 History and tradition

Neat white stitches on a field of blue. Perfect, pleasing, simply geometrical. Discover the Japanese mending technique turned art form known as sashiko.

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Furoshiki – creative gift wrapping

07.06.2023 History and tradition

Love wrapping presents? Wish you could keep the paper forever? Furoshiki, the Japanese art of gift wrapping, just may be the answer.

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Empire style fashion and fabrics: Origins of a classic look

22.10.2021 History and tradition

The Empire dress, it’s a look we’re still wearing 200 years after it first came into fashion – clean, simple, classy, with its high waistline and long, slender silhouette. Here’s the story of how the French gave Rococo the boot, turned fashion on its head, and introduced a revolutionary new way of dressing.

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Biedermeier fashion and fabrics

15.07.2021 History and tradition

As young women in Regency England swooned over Mr. Darcy, what were their counterparts on the Continent up to? Both sides of the Channel saw the rise of a middle-class esthetic, demure and practical. Gone were the arch tastes of Empire fashion. In the heart of Europe the Biedermeier brought an idealization of hearth and home, the return of the hourglass figure, and a flurry of dainty floral prints.

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Wool fabrics through the ages

28.11.2020 History and tradition

Planning a historical costume but you’re not sure which fabric to choose? No need to wade through piles of history books – we’ve done the research for you. This short guide to historical wools covers everything from traditional wool processing techniques to pointers for choosing an authentic weave.

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Czech kroj: Focus on traditional folk costumes in the Chod region

10.04.2020 History and tradition

Fertoch, jupka, kandus, rozplasenka, serka! When we talk about traditional folk costumes – “kroj” in Bohemia (or Silesia, Moravia, and Slovakia for that matter) it means grappling with a whole new vocabulary. I learned that the hard way when I set off this February on a quick information gathering trip to western Bohemia. We were working on a new brocade in our historical reproduction series… and for the first time ever, I had a living, breathing first-hand source to answer my questions!

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Historical reenactments and medieval battles: Tips for events around the world

09.03.2020 History and tradition

Historical reenactments, battles, swordsmanship, medieval costumes and crafts… There’s a whole world out there that’s out of this world. People from all walks of life shed their everyday identities and get together to make the past come alive. The calendar is packed with fantastic events to thrill and inspire you.

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