The freebie for today is a print entitled Letter From Home from the book Bright and Happy Homes by Peter Parley, Jr published in 1882. The file format is...Welcome!
A Victorian Passage has published 170 articles on a diverse range of subjects. Most of our growing archive of Victorian Era subjects are taken directly from 19th century sources to achieve a closer look into how our ancestors really lived. We have also been expanding our historical eras to include Early American from 1790-1839 and the Edwardian period of the early 20th century. Latest article added April 21, 2010
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Victorian Netted Curtain
A beautiful example of a Victorian netted curtain from 1858. Instructions are given in how to recreate this very pretty window dressing yourself. So if you are handy with needlecraft then this is for you. Material--One and a half pounds of Knitting Cotton, No. 10. Meshes--No. 12 and 14 Bell Guage, one flat Mesh, half an inch wide, and one, a quarter of an...Continue Reading
How to Make One's Own Dress - The Echarpe Orientale
In Peterson's magazine of 1855 I found this article on how to make your own Echarpe Orientale- which was a fashionable article of clothing worn in the 1850s. The Echarpe Orientale is all the rage in Paris. Its is modeled so as to rest on the shoulder in a graceful curve in the very spot that gives a classic outline to the bust, as...Continue Reading
Art of Stay Making
I found this article entitled the Art of Stay Making while perusing Peterson's Magazine. This article is dated 1855 and gives instructions on how to make stays for corsets. I thought this could be useful for those making authentic costumes or for doll's clothing. In pursuing our intention of giving a series of articles, instructing the readers of "Peterson" how to make their own...Continue Reading