Free Steampunk Sewing Tutorial Videos from Lastwear

     If you desire to learn some fancy stitching or want to see what "Dress for the Apocalypse" entails, Lastwear can help you out.  They currently have an under-bust vest, a pair of cargo steeplejacks, and a Pinkerton vest for sale on their site.
     One of my readers (thanks, Rhissana!) let me know that the company had decided to no longer offer free patterns for their garments; at least when I checked today, the videos on particular sewing techniques are still accessible. Just scroll down on their site, past the pattern section.

How to sew Flat Cap, Welt Pocket, Flat Felled and French Seams:
Sewing Tutorial Videos

Enjoy!

(Edit: I changed this post by removing reference to Lastwear's open source clothing/pattern business model, as they decided that they were losing money by offering their patterns for free. (People often made the garments to sell, rather than for personal use, as well.) I thought I had discovered a good place for steampunk sewing ideas; I will add links to other sites if I find more in the future.)  Have a favorite steampunk sewing site?  Leave a comment with a link! 

How to Create A Steampunk Outfit

     If you are hoping to upgrade your steampunk outfit, or are just starting one, you may be thinking, "what do I need to include to make my costume steampunk?"

     I have a short answer and a long answer for you.

    
     The short answer is:  goggles, hats, gadgets/jewelry, Victorian-style shoes, and attitude, or any combination of the above!

     A long and well thought-out answer I will not venture to reinvent today.  The topic has already been written to death on the web, often very well; the article that I like the best can be found here: Deconstructing Steampunk by Camilla at Costume Craze.  

  

     Mission accomplished, foundation in place (or, lines cast off for departure, if you prefer airship lingo)!  Here are some resources you can use to make your own outfit utterly tip top.

An excellent source of Victorian garment patterns for sale/download: 

Truly Victorian

Costume patterns from the 1840's to the 1890's
Specializing in the Bustle Era

"Welcome to the Enchanting World of Victorian Clothing" 

How about a video sewing guide to help those seams zip along as planned?

Steampunk sewing tutorial:  How-to-Make-a-Steampunk-Outfit  by Threadbanger's.  

They also have more videos for do-it-yourself fashions of all kinds on their site.

For supplies and for finished costume items, try:
 www.bustledress.com

Hats! Glorious hats!  Topsy Turvy Design
"Costume Accessories for Stage, Film, and Play"

Victorian, Renaissance, 18th Century, Burlesque

      And of course, if you want some unusual steampunk-inspired jewelry, you may wish to take a look in my studio, Steampunk Jewelry by DreamSteam.

(No, I could not resist a shameless plug!)  My items have wandered toward the "inspired" of late, and a wonderful customer recently purchased many of my better pieces, but there are a few pieces still for sale that I feel qualify for out-and-out steampunk status (think pocket watches and gears!).

Brass Clockwork Necklace

     These sites should give you a great start to creating your dashing steampunk ensemble.  You may also search this blog for keywords "fashion" and the like (the tag cloud helps) to find sellers of accoutrements I have reviewed in the past.  Are you a member of my blog and care to post or link photos of your outfit? Please do!  Enjoy, and best of luck creating.

~ DS