18th-Century Essentials: I Sewed a Fichu, Apron and Cap

This is the sixth video in my series on making a complete 18th-century costume! Follow me on my journey through #historicalcostuming.
In this video, I'll show you how I made a fichu, an apron and a cap. These three accessories are essential to creating an historically-accurate 18th-century outfit.
I used the American Duchess Guide to 18th-Century Dressmaking for all three projects, and I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in sewing 18th-century clothing. (Although I'm a little salty about that cap ...)
Thanks for watching! Drop a comment down below and let me know what you think. Also, be sure to subscribe and hit that notification bell so you don't miss any videos. You can also follow me on Instagram for channel and project updates: @crmarble
#18thcenturyfichu #18thcenturycap #18thcentury apron #18thcenturyfashion #costube

[@itsmealaina]

This is exactly what I’ve been looking for- took up a project of 1770 full costume and was LOST on the fichu.... needless to say now I have a good idea how to make one and I am excited to move foreword with the sewing

[@ColleenMarble]

I'm glad my video was helpful to you! I'm not sure my project is officially the 'right' way, but it gets the job done!

[@DavidCollinsRivera]

Nice result. I'm surprisingly impressed with the apron, since I couldn't quite picture the "notch at top equals straight line at bottom" concept. The cap is pretty, but yeah...lots of work. Over all, these look great!

[@ColleenMarble]

Thank you! Yes, isn't that a nifty little trick on the apron?

[@rebeccaharden6018]

Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@ColleenMarble]

Thank you for watching!

[@marthabenner6528]

Juul Thijssen on KZbin is an absolute genius, and I think you would enjoy her half-dozen stitch tutorials. She does this lovely rolled hem that is so effortlessly easy.

[@ColleenMarble]

I've seen her tutorials! Yes, that rolled hem looks awesome! I think I need to try on a different fabric sometime. Practice makes perfect, and I just need to practice more.

[@marthabenner6528]

@@ColleenMarble Burnley and Trowbridge is very honest about their fabric descriptions, and if you don't feel comfortable about risking it, you can just buy a fabric swatch book. I've kind of been in love with their store since I found it last spring. Keep in mind when you look at the price, the width of the fabric, and don't forget about shipping and handling. Generally their quality and prices are (more than) a few steps up from jo-ann's, in my opinion. And it comes with peace of mind.

[@ColleenMarble]

@@marthabenner6528 I've ordered some things from B&T but haven't ordered fabric yet. I have so much fabric in my stash to work through that I'm really trying to avoid spending a lot on fabric right now. And since I made this video I found a great resource in my city for low-cost fabric and notions, so actually, I was able to buy several yards of sheer white cotton fabric for just a few dollars. It would have been perfect for these projects! I'm sure I'll use it eventually.

[@sapphiresphone7144]

I think the issue you had with the cap is that the ends of the band are supposed to come all the way down to where the drawstring is on the caul piece, not end at the mark for the gather point. More gathering should be done within the gathering area to make this line up. A search for "HANDSEWN LINEN 18TH CENTURY CAP | KANNIK'S KORNER CAPS PATTERN VIEW A" should show a page for a similar style(just without the second ruffle) and has a better picture showing this.

[@ColleenMarble]

Thank you so much!! That would have been so much better. I do think the book instructions were not clear, and seeing the hat you referenced makes much more sense. Someday maybe I'll make another one the correct way! Thanks again.

[@Ventura0404]

Ladybug you are doing wonderful enjoy the process none of these patterns are perfect you have to make them fit you. Gorgeous

[@ColleenMarble]

thanks!

[@angelaross1]

I had the same issue with the cap. It was very large unless I wear a hedgehog wig. I have a small head to begin with, so ALL hats are big. Oh wow is me. You’re ensemble is great despite all your trials

[@ColleenMarble]

If you ever find a good cap pattern, let me know! :-) It is good to know I'm not alone with this pattern.

[@tammybeaudry3435]

I love it!

[@ColleenMarble]

Thank you!

[@traceydysert6096]

I love this video and have found the same cap on line but I lost the Pin on Pinterest. So I have no directions for it.😥 I was all excited when I seen you had the same one & hoping for the steps. I don't know where each piece goes.😟 I'm stressed out almost like you were in the video! YIKES!!! Lol

[@ColleenMarble]

That cap drove me nuts! LOL! I think there are probably easier caps with instructions out there. I know I'll never make this one again!

[@Chickenfoothomestead]

Hi Colleen! Your costume looks really nice. I love how you're kind of learning while you go here with these garments. I am brand new to sewing and like you were, my machine gives me anxiety. I have dabbled in hand sewing and I love it. So far I've successfully crafted a needle book based off of a video from Burnley and Trowbridge. I have attempted a chemise and failed but only because I cut the neck hole FAR to large. I will give her another go when I can acquire some more fabric. It won't be historically accurate though because I want mine for sleepwear rather than costuming. Do you have a group you reenact with? I am very interested in doing this myself. Anyway, I'm prattling. Thank you for the videos, I have subbed and will be watching more.~Kim

[@ColleenMarble]

Hi -- thanks for watching, subscribing and commenting! I'm learning as I go for sure. That's the fun part for me! I love to learn new things, and recreating historical fashion is both crafty and educational, which is perfect. I do have a group, although I joined at the start of COVID, so it was quite a while before I was able to do anything with them. I've been to a few events so far, including a ball last October, for which I made a robe a la francaise! That video is coming soon.

[@Chickenfoothomestead]

Oh, nice! Looking forward to seeing that.@@ColleenMarble

[@davriecaro3036]

Hello it might be a bit too late, but when you mention that you are having some issues with that particular pattern in the book It reminded me that American Duchess released something on their blog regarding it . It is stated to have been posted on December 28, 2017 It is titled "CORRECTION - 1780s Cap Pattern - American Duchess Guide". I am not a hundred percent sure it talks about your specific problem with the Cap pattern, but it may help if you decided to make with that pattern again

[@ColleenMarble]

Hi! Thanks for the note. Yes, I saw that and incorporated their correction into the pattern and it still turned out very weird indeed. I just am not sure what went wrong. I still use the cap, so it's not a total loss. But someday I'll make a new one, and I'll choose a different pattern. 🙂

[@lydiayeh9401]

Looks beautiful on you!

[@ColleenMarble]

Thank you so much!

[@pamwatterson3845]

Hi I just found you. Thank you so much for your helpful tips. What was the silver clip you were using to hold your fabric on the fiche? Thanks again and I look forward to more of your videos

[@ColleenMarble]

@@pamwatterson3845 Hi! Thanks for commenting. I'm glad the video was helpful to you! The silver clip is a 'sewing bird' or 'sewing clamp.' It's very helpful for hand sewing, especially if you have a wrist or hand issue like I do. I highlight this and other helpful products in my video about sewing after injury. It's made a huge difference for projects like the fichu that require a lot of straight seams.

[@Ventura0404]

Nobodies eyelids look good until they stick the punch back in the hole and spread it apart just a little bit and then it’ll look perfect

[@ColleenMarble]

Yes - that is the trick! It makes a huge difference.

[@maryschiff9580]

I detest hand sewing so I applaud your tenacity, especially with your wrist issues. The cap is pretty but wow, a lot of fiddley work there. The bump pad ended up looking great, especially in the back, giving the period appropriate ‘shelf’. I also like the trim you used.

[@ColleenMarble]

I am actually enjoying hand sewing, because it gives my neck a break. When my neck hurts I can hand sew, when my wrist starts hurting I can go back to the machine. But yes, the cap was a pain (literally). And I agree, the bum pad is so much better being flattened out a bit. And last night I put even more tufts on the parts that come around the side/front of my hips. That cut 3" inches off of the volume in that area. Looks even better. NOW I can start the outer clothing!

[@rode-o5206]

Crabby!

[@ColleenMarble]

I'm not sure how to respond to your comment.

[@makeitkate3240]

Rude!

[@isabubble1424]

why!!!! why!! you NEVER handsew anything you didn't confirm by mockup ! And just for information, in historical patterns and most europe patterns the pattern line is always the seam line! because you seam allowance may change depending the seam finishing you chose. it is so much neater this way

[@ColleenMarble]

I had to learn that the hard way, I guess! :-)

[@isabubble1424]

@@ColleenMarble Sorry I just reread my comment, I didn't mean it to sound that "harsh"... guess I should read again before posting 😅

[@ColleenMarble]

No worries! It's true, and I DID learn it the hard way. 🙂