Historical Tailoring Masterclasses got its start in the fall of 2010. As a tailor, I had noticed that historical reenactors were looking for high-quality, period-correct clothing, but found the cost for such clothing prohibitive and the seemingly monumental task of learning to sew their own clothing was overwhelming. Where to start?
After extensive research for my own tailoring needs, through old books and period manuals, historical conferences, viewing original garments, and thousands of hours of practice and experimentation, I decided that with the ever-shrinking profession of tailoring in general, and the need in the reenactment community for such skills, that it seemed somewhat selfish to keep all of that knowledge to myself.
And so it was that I launched Historical Tailoring Masterclasses in order to teach reenactors and historians, whatever their sewing level, how to construct their own period clothing of the 1860s, based on original drafts and traditional tailoring techniques.
Whether you are a total beginner, or a seasoned professional, you’ll find something new to learn here!
About James Williams
I have been sewing and working other types of crafts all of my life, whether that be sewing, woodworking, music, or even crochet. The desire to work with my hands as a profession struck me in 2007 when I picked up a period tailoring manual for the first time and was immediately drawn by the combination of the artistic and scientific approaches to the craft. Immediately, I started to learn all I could. Other interests of mine include cooking, reading, hiking, woodworking, and playing the fife.