Sunday, October 16, 2016

1850 – 1900 Bloomers Sewing Pattern

I'm pleased to announce that I have a new 1850s sewing pattern available.

1850 – 1900 Bloomers, Turkish Trousers, or Knickerbockers Pattern



No. 1850-3
Perfect for Reform Dress or Victorian Sports Wear.
These trousers may be made in the wide Turkish style or a narrower width, from below-knee to ankle length. The leg ends may be enclosed in a cuff, confined with elastic, or left open at the bottom.

 


Turkish trousers, Bloomers, knickerbockers, and divided skirts are all names for what was basically the same garment with a few variations. It was also a part of what was called a freedom dress, rational dress, and health dress. As physical exercise became fashionable for women, it became a component in bicycling, mountaineering, swimming, and gymnastic wear. They were also a favored garment at masked balls and theater performance outfits. They even were used in evening gowns by the most daring ladies.

The pattern has several variations. The trousers may be made in the wide Turkish style or a narrower width, from below-knee to ankle length. The leg ends may be enclosed in a cuff, confined with elastic, or left open at the bottom.

It includes 12 pages of instructions with historical tips and quotes, and 2 pattern sheets printed on bond paper, and enclosed in a reclosable plastic bag.

All sizes included, 2 – 30; waist: 17” – 55”,
hips: 27” – 63”.


You can find it on my website at https://www.mantua-maker.com/1850-1-bloomers.html 

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Dragon's Child

I'm pleased to announce the release of the fourth novel in "The Mindbender's Rise" series.

Dragon's Child

by D. J. Salisbury

 

Getting snatched by a dragon may not be a death sentence, but it certainly feels like one.

While Viper struggles to learn enough magic to escape the dragon’s lair before the creature decides to eat him, Lorel, Tsai’dona, and Kyri battle through the mountains to locate and rescue him.

But the dragon has plans of her own.



Dragon's Child can be found:
In paperback at Createspace

In paperback at Amazon

As an ebook at Kindle

Read a free preview here

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

The Art of Fashion: 1850 - 1859

I've just released my newest dressmaking book!

  The Art of Fashion: 
1850 - 1859

Dress, Sewing, and Clothing Care Advice


“To increase the beauty of the female person, by a gracefully made attire, is not only not wrong, but absolutely commendable; and the woman who neglects it pays the penalty of being called a sloven, if not a fright.”
Peterson’s Magazine, April 1852

During the 1850s, the art of fashion was studied by every woman who wanted to create her own wardrobe. Ladies magazines were scrutinized and dissected, scoured for details on how each effect was created, how many seams were used, and how the pleats were formed. She learned why changes were made, when they went out of date, and how to recreate the styles she liked.
Most of all, she studied what the current rules were, even though they seemed to change monthly, especially for the most fashion conscious women.

This book compiles sewing and fashion advice given in books and magazines during the 1850s, given in the words of writers of that time. Each entry shows the name and date of the periodical quoted. It has three sections:
1) Sewing tips and fashion advice
2) Fabric cleaning and care.
3) Bibliography of magazines and books I found useful.

The Art of Fashion: 1850 – 1859 includes over 490 black and white period engravings to help show the details of their work. It has 324 pages in an 8.5” x 11” format.

It's available on my website,

on Amazon,

and for Kindle.

Friday, September 2, 2016

Up Wish Creek

I received an ARC from one of my favorite authors, and tonight I had a great read.


UP WISH CREEK, by B.E. Sanderson, is the latest in the Once Upon a Djinn series. It's fast-paced, surprising, funny, and exciting. I was sad to have it end -- I want MORE!


Definitely a 5 Star novel, and highly recommended.

Friday, August 19, 2016

New Victorian Corset Pattern

I'm thrilled to announce I have a new corset pattern available!

1840 – 1860 Corset di Medici Historical Sewing Pattern

My corset is based on a pattern diagram and instructions given in Peterson's Magazine in February and April, 1855.

“We give, this month, another pattern for stays, the Corset di Medici, so called because it does not cramp the figure, but keeps it as graceful and healthy as in the Venus di Medici. With the instructions we gave, in February, how to make stays, and this pattern, ladies, by the exercise of proper ingenuity, can fabricate this corset for themselves. The Corset di Medici is delightfully elastic, yielding to every motion, or respiration. It may be made in plain jean or coutil, or silk or satin. Always carefully measure, with a tape-line, across the bosom, from shoulder to shoulder, across the back, round the waist, &c.; and made the corset to fit exactly; for no dress will look well unless this is the case, nor will the wearer feel easy; and without feeling easy there can be no grace, nor even proper respiration.” Peterson’s Magazine, April 1855

This early Victorian corset pattern is made with individually sized hip, stomach, and bust gussets to fit a wide variety of body shapes.
The bust gussets have options for A, B, C, and D cups. Options include normal bust gores or the 1855 version with long gores (for “proper respiration”).

You will need boning and a wooden or a metal busk to create this garment.

This pattern includes 10 pages of instructions with historical tips, and 1 pattern sheet. It is printed on bond paper, and enclosed in a reclosable plastic bag.
All sizes 2 – 30 are included.


You can see more on my website:
https://www.mantua-maker.com/1840---1860-early-corset.html

 and on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/459963508/victorian-corset-pattern-multi-sized

Sunday, March 6, 2016

A Quick Review of "In Deep Wish" by B.E. Sanderson

In Deep WishIn Deep Wish by B.E. Sanderson

I won an ARC for "In Deep Wish" and I've had trouble putting it down since it arrived!

It's a fun, fast-paced urban fantasy with lots of surprises. And it's not your usual urban fantasy. Jo is a genie with a mission to save her fellow djinn, who have been enslaved for eons. But the "Rules" interfere with her success -- and even with her very survival.

It's the second in this great series, and I can hardly wait for the third one to become available.


Saturday, January 23, 2016

Serpent's Child

I'm happy to announce my newest novel is now available.

Serpent's Child
The Mindbender's Rise: Book 3
When a magical creature talks Viper into creating weapons to prevent the rise of a dreaded Mindbender, Lorel agrees to help. Even if it does mean traveling with a monster-sized snake.

But just reaching the distant land where they can collect the elements for those weapons is a nearly impossible quest.

Slavers, mountains, monsters… Lorel can handle them.
Figuring out new magic? Viper’s ready to try.

Putting up with each other for two thousand miles might be the hardest task of all. 


 
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Friday, January 15, 2016

Review of Wish in One Hand

Wish in One HandWish in One Hand by B.E. Sanderson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
 
I stayed up way too late finishing this novel - I couldn't put it down! It's the best urban fantasy I've read in ages.

Becoming a djinn doesn't slow Jo down, but it doesn't make her all-powerful, either. She's a sparky yet vulnerable woman who's determined to do her best for the people who rely on her.

Highly recommended!

I won this book in a giveaway, and I'm very happy I did.