Threads presents:
Antique Sewing Techniques with Martha Pullen
Antique Sewing Techniques I and II Out Now!
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Antique Sewing Techniques I
The late Martha Pullen was renowned for her expertise in heirloom stitching. She was inspired by her own collection of historical garments, including charming children’s clothes, such as embellished christening gowns. In this class, Martha offers you an up-close look at some of her most special pieces, and then shares modern methods of recreating their embellishment with a sewing machine. Puffing, or ruching, is one of the most beloved techniques on Victorian and Edwardian clothing. You’ll see how it was use to create texture on the antique examples, and then learn several methods for making puffing strips for your own projects. Martha demonstrates other Victorian-inspired techniques as well.
If you’re curious about heirloom sewing and enjoy creating decorative effects with your sewing machine, you’ll love learning Martha’s delicate embellishments. And they’re not just for children’s clothing: They work just as well on adult garments and home décor items, such as pillows.
Techniques include:
- Create puffing three ways:
Gathering over a cord
Two rows of gathering
Using a gathering foot
- Mini puffing
- Faux puffing
- Lace to Fabric
- Inserting lace edging to create a lace panel
- Lace shaping and gathered lace
- Wing needle stitching
Antique Sewing Techniques II
Heirloom sewing expert Martha Pullen loved antique white garments from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. She collected "white clothes" from antique stores and flea markets around the world and studied their delicately crafted details. In this on-demand course, Martha brings some of her favorite pieces into the classroom for a close-up look. You’ll discover how hand-sewn embellishments were used to adorn lightweight cotton dresses. Then, Martha shares techniques for recreating these looks today: tucks and pintucks, box pleats, buttonhole beading, and building an intricate lace fabric.
Connect with women from past generations through the romantic and charming garments they made, and learn how to emulate their artistry on a modern sewing machine.
Techniques include:
- Box Pleat
- Folded Tuck
- Release Tucks and with Feather Stitching
- Intersecting Pintucks
- Bridging to Fabric and Lace
- Lace to Lace – Building a Yoke
- Extended Lace Curves
- Buttonhole Beading
- Adding a Hint of Color
Meet the Instructor
Martha Campbell Pullen, Ph.D., was an expert on heirloom sewing and the founder of Martha Pullen Company. An accomplished author, Martha published more than 50 books. She founded and published Sew Beautiful, from 1987 to 2014. For 17 years, she also shared her love of heirloom sewing with public television audiences around the United States and Canada through her "Martha’s Sewing Room" series. She trained Martha Pullen Licensed Teachers to teach classes based on her techniques.
