🎉 HOUSEWIFE KITS! So, the housewife I was sewing was just a pattern I doodled up before cutting it out, so there is no *exact* pattern like available. However, there are some kits available to purchase from some lovely small businesses! Willoughby & Rose: willoughbyandrose.com/collections/supply-kits/products/18th-century-housewife-hussif-kit The Lady Detalle: www.etsy.com/shop/LadyDetalle?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=695684041§ion_id=16515943
Fanciful Utility by Anna Worden Bauersmith also has mid 19th century housewife patterns based on extent pieces she has in her personal collection. www.thesewingacademy.com/shop/
You said you were dressed normal, or like middle class, but wasn't the middle class a lot smaller in the 18th century? I am thinking back to an account of a diptheria(?) outbreak in London 200 years later that was describing appalling conditions throughout many of London's large working class. Also, as you know better than me, wardrobe would be smaller and garments washed less frequently. So a woman with whatever socioeconomic status was most prevalent would wear a dress with fabric that clean and fresh looking? I don't intend for my tone to sound pushy, I'm just curious. Oh, and in the original video, you said that nowadays we don't protect our skin from the sun but back in the day you might wear a long sleeve white gown. Wasn't Marie Antoinette's portrait of her in a white dress cause controversy because the color and fabric were similar to that of underclothes? Or were most white gowns totally acceptable because of different fabric choices or another reason I'm not considering?
There is a book called The Curse by Emily Toth. She is an English prof but I took every class she offered on my journey to acquiring a History degree. Monthly rags were the norm-tied on securely with more strips of cloth. Oh, the monthly rags were washed and reused. I guess the maxi pads with a belt from my teen years are a step up from that.
Id love to find ways to incorporate clothes, then and now. Love listening to you. (I volunteered at a homestead house with my mother in Virginia when i was young.)(carding wool, spinning and turn of the century dancing) it was a great experience. (Love your channel)
Congratulations! I watch you because you are real, funny, and informed. :) In the 70's I asked my grandmother(born in 1900)detailed questions about her/her mother/her grandmother and their actual 'dealing with the period process. She told me that as far as she knew, nothing had changed in all that time. She wore 'cotton waste' - which is the short stapled cotton left from the baling/ginning/processing of cotton, which was rolled into a short roll, placed in the center of a long strip of cloth which was tack stitched to her waist band at the back. The front of the strip was pulled forward, between her legs and tucked (or normal days) or tied (for fieldwork, etc days) to the waist band in the front. Further questions elicited that the waist band was actually just a strip of cloth which she wore around her waist to hold this contraption during her period. The cloth strip was washed and reused. The waste cotton was burned. She further stated that she only burned it when all the men were out of the house as it smelled. She did not know what women who lived in places where 'waste cotton' was not available did. She was of the opinion that women just did what they needed to and made as little fuss as possible. She also stated that 'so many women were pregnant most of the time' that it didn't 'figure'. I was raised in rural western Texas. She and her family were also rural, southern women. She also described the wonder of the first commercial period pad she ever saw! Her sister was working in a hotel in Waco and they had them for sale to 'travelers'. She was impressed, but did not hold with burning money. So, I don't think she ever used commercial products.
My mom used the same system, but crocheted from wool. They were reused after washing, and if they didn't hang on the laundry line, all neighbours knew that woman was pregnant (laundry was done every 4 weeks, since it took several days). My mom was born 1940 in Germany. When she started earning her own money she would spend 1/3 of her salary buying disposable pads because she was disgusted by having to wash the woolen ones.
My husbands grandmother, born in a farm around the Depression, mentioned a “menstrual crock” once. It sat on the back porch and I think must’ve functioned sort of like a diaper genie today, holding them separately and enclosed until they could be washed (maybe even boiled?). Unfortunately she now has late stage Alzheimer’s and I can’t ask for clarification and I haven’t had luck finding more documentation online. Was it a rural thing? A class thing? A family habit? Unknown but the word “menstrual crock” will haunt my thoughts forever.
"She also stated that 'so many women were pregnant most of the time' that it didn't 'figure'". I imagine this happened a lot. Even today with women who have children back to back for a few years, or just have a lot in general, between pregnancy and breastfeeding, you don't get your period at all during that time. When you figure that before the invention of baby formula all women were breastfeeding for likely well over a year, even one pregnancy could mean you didn't get your period for 2 years or more, it's entirely likely that many married women didn't have a period for many years or only had one once every several years between children. It likely wasn't an issue they dealt with as regularly as we're thinking.
@@AbbyCox The real truth about youtube, when people care more about your pets than your actual content. xD The extra footage of them at the end was A+ content . Anyways, I actually loved the video and am looking forward to seeing more from you, Thank you for creating!
Part of Lizzie Borden's defense was that the clothing she burnt in the incinerator was stained with menstrual blood, rather than the blood of her parents.
Also something to keep in mind about the information offered as a defense at a murder trial...it’s possible she actually was guilty and that she was describing this method of dealing with menstruation because it was unusual (and actually not a method she even used, but rather one contrived to prove her innocence).
Hi. Librarian here. Great video. I know of three possible ways to get more access to primary sources than the ones mentioned in the video. 1. Your public library. They are often subscribed to major databases. 2. A university you previously attended. You may be able to access the library databases for free or for a discount. 3. A local college or university. There can be a fee (and quite expensive) but it is better than paying for each article on Google Scholar and you have access to the researchers at the university library. Hope that helps. The video is great. Edit: And to clarify, I am referring to using primarily sources transfered online available worldwide,, but all of the above can have physical primary sources as well.
Another librarian here....Don't forget that the library you use may also be able to borrow or obtain copies of resources from other libraries through their interlibrary loan services.
Hi, I'm yet a another librarian! I'm working at a library with quite an impressive collection of prints and manuscripts from the middle ages through 16th, 17th century to today and also some of the 18th century, I wanted to add that at least in Europe many libraries have (growing) parts of their collection digitised and you can see and read many old books online for free by looking them up in the online catalogue. there are high quality photos of so many of our old books online, you just have to find the right one. and while my library specialises in 16th and 17th century, there are also some that focus on 18th century literature. (Please excuse any grammar mistakes, English is not my first language. I tried.)
I once admitted a home care patient with a gravy boat collection. They weren't gravy boats.......... I told her son. The whole family already knew most weren't gravy boats. No one had the nerve to tell her!
Ahem. Are “gravy boats” typically used from the front or the back? I know certain cultures use similar things today, so I’m curious how they relate and such, esp with western culture not really using those tools as much as eastern cultures.
You remind me so much of a friend from college. (We won't mention how long ago that was!) I was hooked by The Video. Such a fascinating way to think about the clothes I have taken for granted all my life. Wow ...
@@SJ-le2vc apparently from the front. There is a handle and it looks like a gravy boat except that both long sides are bowed in. I've seen it slipped under from the front then its squeezed between the legs. Very discrete hands free if you're good at it.
I actually wore split drawers for my wedding. The dress was modern but the gown was full and heavy (ballgown). And i was glad i could pee by myself without needing any help. Prioratire's video was definitely a help!
I sure wish that I had known about split drawers and also known that approaching the toilet "backward" or "horse style" would have made my life sooooo much easier! Of course that might have been too much of a show for my brother in law at the end of the reception when we did a traditional thing from hubbie's family (sie leben hoch) where the bride and groom are toasted "most highly" ...being lifted and bounced on chairs and bil's head went under my dress! :0
For chafing I rub solid deodorant on the inside of my thighs after, a shower. It lasts 8 - 12 hours depending on the brand. Secret, Lady Speed Stick, Dove , etc. as long as it is solid. This is also good for under the breast (for big breast) and or excessive stomach area/rolls. Any place where skin rubs, it should be applied. The downside to this is that my toilet seat needs a little extra cleaning because the deodorant on the thighs gets on the seat. This is a small price to pay for comfort!! But it works!!! You only need to reapply if you go swimming. Please spread the word and enjoy wearing summer dresses 👗👍🏽😁
I've been using this little hack for years. I use the Mens Dove Stick under my breasts and butt/thigh crease and it works a treat. But you're right about the additional toilet seat cleaning lol
I tried it once. It lasted maybe 5-10 minutes and then PAIN. I have to have some sort of physical barrier. It’s an awesome hack for some people, it’s just not a universal one.
Answer to how to know if a video has gone viral: if a video has more than double the average view count of the channel in question it can be considered viral. So 1 million views is considered viral for a sewing video, but not for a music video.
How I got here(hold on for the ride): I could sew enough to hold two pieces of fabric together, with a machine. My Nanna taught me when I was a kid. Recently, with the pandemic, I took up sewing masks. I was traveling for my job and away from a sewing machine, so I looked up how to sew by hand. That was when I found Bernadette Banner. Bernadette Banner led me down a rabbit hole of historical costuming, then to stays, which led me to you, American Duchess, and a new hobby. I’ve watched your videos over and over, and while I know nothing about garment construction except for what y’all have taught me, I’m going to make a pair of stays. This will eventually lead to a robe a la francaise. When I learned to knit....as soon as I got the basics down, I found the most difficult lace I could, and made that. Struggling through things way beyond my skill set teaches me sooooo much along the way.
Welcome to the dark side. We serve tea and cookies every day at 4 :D Btw, you should check out costume college, if you want to really fall down the well!
I’m an early subscriber. I think I was in the first 200? Don’t worry so much about putting more of yourself out here...just BE yourself. Being your own snarky, vivacious self is what brought us to you. As an Idahoan and official spud, I love your mug! This tater loves you. Thank you for answering those questions, particularly about your doggos! They’re just too cute. Love, light, and blessings to you and yours, and may life be kind until next we meet.
😭😭😭 I always look for your comments on my videos, because you were one of my first subs and seeing your comment is like a digital security blanket! ❤️ Big hugs!
On the topic of menstruation, I suffered from excruciating periods prior to my hysterectomy (endometriosis), to the point where I couldn't wear tampons, and frequently just the pressure of panties was more than I could bear on my pelvis, taking pads off the list of options, as well. Free bleeding was destructive to my limited wardrobe, so I started "wearing" a folded washcloth or piece of linen towel held between my thighs to do the job, with a loose shift worn over all (no waistbands allowed on days I was that tender). I got used to it pretty quickly, to the point where I could putter around the house without it shifting around. Not sure I would have trusted it out in public, and I am as far from a thigh gap as one could get, but I did wonder if historically, women might not have utilized something similar. One wouldn't be mending fences, riding to market, etc while using such an arrangement, but (pain allowing) would have been able to get through a large portion of their normal activities...
I'm not sure how early this was invented but until the adhesive pad was invented (1970s) women used a "belt" that went around the waist and between the legs suspending a disposable pad or cloth. Ask a woman who was of childbearing age in the 60's they could tell you all about it.
Amanda Joy I remember seeing belted pads for sale in the 80s and sex ed books mentioned them. In the UK they were Dr White's which are still sold. Why did women still wear them then though? I thought belted pads were pretty much abandoned when the stick-on pads came along.
@@IndigoJo I was not of childbearing age until the 00s, so I don't really know, but possibly everyone 25-ish and under in the 70s switched but women who were between 25 and 50 kept doing what they were already used to?
just sewing bits and bobs - thimbles, needles, pins, thread, small scissors, bits of candy wrappings, wadded up receipts, fossilized dog treats...bits of fuzz..you know..normal stuff. 😂❤️
For those wondering about periods and dealing with it, maybe a diva or moon cup could help a lot. I've been using one over pads for a few years and they are a great alternative to pads and tampons for historical use. TMI but I only change mine 2 each day, once when I wake up and then again before I go to bed so I think you could easily go a full day of costuming at an event and not have to worry about changing. Also catch that Gap Victorian shirt! Mine ahould be coming in next week
This!! I wear mid-Victorian clothes a lot, and while I haven't used Victorian reproduction menstrual products (yet), my go-to is a menstrual cup, with modern cotton underpants, a cotton reusable pad (the kind that just snaps right on), and no split drawers that day. I tend to have a super heavy flow, and I also forget I'm wearing the cup sometimes or get stuck doing something outside, so having the extra layer for leakage is essential. But it works great, and I recommend it for anybody who has a heavy flow.
@@horseenthusiast1250 I second that! I used to use tampons before I knew about cups, and let me tell you.. changing a tampon with all the skirts is a challenge! Its much better with a cup because I don't have to change it until evening when I am back in modern clothes.
In high school, a group project of mine did some similar research as far as a cervical cap for preventing pregnancy or attempting to abort an unwanted surprise, and half a lemon was sometimes used (not all that successfully, but possibly more successfully than without,) so I’m curious if something along those lines could’ve been used by some. Probably not more “proper” woman, but maybe amongst lower class women or prostitutes?
Disclaimer: do not use the lemon, it’s not supposed to be very hygienic or safe, so not something I’d recommend for many reasons! Current/modern products are much safer, please stick to those.
Easy, the reason we all subscribed after watching that video is because of your personality. You seem really fun to be around so you don't have to worry, keep being yourself and we'll be there for the journey. Thanks for your videos and best if luck with your channel. p.s. love your puppers❤
I'm surprised that any information about periods in the 18th century exists at all. It was such a taboo subject. My mother grew up in the 1930's, and when she got her first period, she had no idea what was going on. When she got her second period, she told her mum, and was meet with "oh you've started that nonsense". Not very helpful.
Omgsh 0.0 I thought mine was terrifying. No mom at the time, just my dad. But dang that’s rough. My daughter is 9 and already knows so much about what to expect. Like I don’t want her scared and want her to know I support her when she hits puberty.
@@RebeccaStoneoffthehook I used to go on 'beinggirl.com' when I was younger it taught you everything and even sent you a free period kit. With pads, tampons and deodorant. There also articles. I believe I learned about it in a tween magazine 😁
I got my first period on a Sunday night, during a commercial break watching Bonanza. Grabbed my aunt ‘cause I thought I was dying! After she stopped laughing and yelling at my mother, for not warning me, she explained how to take care of myself.
Let's see... i found Abby through Rachel, who i think i found through Morgan, who i definitely found through Bernadette, who i found through a costuming IRL friend :)
I love your channel Abby and American Duchess. I was given 2 pairs of huge linen lined, embroidered silk curtains from a mansion being renovated. I'm hoping, with the help of your pattern, to make a Robe a la Francaise. I'm very nervous, but it's been a dream of mine since childhood. I bought some excellent pre-made stays and undergarments, but the gown I want to make myself. Wish me luck. Thank you for all of your advice. xxx
It's so bizarre that linen has become a luxe fabric when.... it wasn't. Linen (and hemp!) were mainstays for so long and now if you want linen bedsheets -- or linen outfits -- you have to save up for them and wash them till they're perfect.
It’s probably already mentioned in the comments. But one word that is still used for menstruation is rags. Which gives an idea of what was possibly used during their monthly.
Abby - Love your energy! I fell down the old time menstruation rabbit hole a few years ago and just sticking rags/towels between your legs and having wearing an apron under your clothes to protect your clothing was the common solution (i think it was primarily worn backwards, to protect your skirts when you sat down. Also came across using a piece of sheep skin (with the wool on it) as a pad, the wool would absorb the blood and it was washable and reusable. Sadly, I'm post menopausal and won't be able to try any of the old or new solutions.
I found you in the channels you might like based on what you subscribe to. My great grandmother (born in 1903) said regarding her period they rolled up rags and pinned them to their drawers. I'd imagine in the earlier era they may have done the same and belted them in place with the apron. Love your channel. Keep up the good work.
I would love to see a more detailed vid about periods in the 18th cen. I am always interested in getting more information about how women really lived their lives. Thank you for sharing your vibrancy with all of us! I am really enjoying seeing what you're working on.
i found american duchess through bernadette banner's video. when i realized you had your own channel, i couldn't click subscribe fast enough! if you asked me which video was my favorite, i'd have to say all of them. :)
I love the history of clothing and fashion, along with other parts of social and cultural history (food, the arts, technology, everyday living, etc.) so I've been drawn to your videos and other historical costumer videos. If I ever get up the nerve to properly learn sewing (beyond sewing cat toys, pillow covers and hemming pants and skirts!), I would love to make comfy yet pretty 1910s-1920s style clothes. Your puppies are so cute! 🥰
I made myself a travel sewing kit in a vintage cigarette tin I got from my grandpa. Made myself a pin cussion in a similar way to yours, but stuffed mine with cut up cabbage and other tiny fabric scraps and thread bits, since I don't have any stuffing. Recycling!
Oh my gosh! I’m studying at IU now!! I love it here :) part of my degree is historical music study, and I’ve been entertaining the idea of giving a recital of period music on period instruments in period costumes 😂
Abby Cox I’ve been wondering if there are people/groups/places to get started around here, but haven’t been able to track any down! Do you have any suggestions?
I’ve been following American Duchess for some time and recently found out that you have your own channel now. Super Excitement. When the first book came out you unknowingly helped me make not one but two pair of stays (especially the extra info about leather eyelet reinforcement). They are so much more comfortable than the store bought stays we have at work. I am also *that person*. So Thank You! Your channel is Wonderful.
Having a mum who will check your viral video's comments section for you is another level of mum+daughter connection! 😆 I looove my mama but must admit that's never a dilemma I've ever needed her help with 😅
I was here early ish! I first saw you on Bernadette's video doing a hair demonstration in New York, when I heard you had a new channel (from Bernadette) I came over and loved it! I have watched most of your videos more than once already. I loved the unboxing videos because you are showing amazingly detailed images of a primary source (ones I like) and your well informed detailed assessment of them! Plus, I love your personality, makes me smile. Edited: spelling mistake🤦🏻♀️
Fellow IU Art History alum here! Just an FYI, if you happen to be a paid member of the IU Alumni Association, academic journal access is a member benefit. If not, try your local library. Even if they don't have a subscription to academic journal databases, you should still be able to request individual articles through Interlibrary Loan. Also, absolutely loving the channel!!
I wanna learn how to make my own clothes but I don’t know where to start learning it from? If any of you have any ideas or if you can make a video about it I’m sure a lot of people would be really appreciated. Also I love your videos ❤️
I started with a simple circle skirt. It's the easiest thing to start with but gives you the opportunity to learn different seams and closure techniques. Also start with cotton or linen or even a poly cotton fabric. It's an easy fabric to work with until you are ready to be more adventurous. My grandmother taught me the basics but TH-cam has been invaluable with sharpening my skills. Best of luck!
If you would be interested in a video on beginning from a beginner without a ton of experience(I sew clothes for myself, but I am mostly self-taught and not a professional), I am hoping to do a video on how I’m teaching myself on my channel sometime in the next couple weeks so if that’s interesting to you.... idk. Subscribe so you’ll see it or something. Self-promo, yay. Update: I just filmed the video yesterday and it will be up tomorrow.
Everyone here has great suggestions & I would like to add www.sewoverit.co.uk to that list - they have an online subscription "Stitch School" which is *fantastic* and I highly recommend it!
Evelyn Wood has quite a few beginner videos- particularly the tips and tricks that actually turn out to be quite important. Like “what’s causing all this messy thread nesting?” And “why pressing is half of the job of sewing”. She also does stuff like how to renovate thrift shop garments and the like- there’s a definite focus on doing what you can to reduce waste and dependence on industries that aren’t very good for the environment. So she has her TH-cam channel, as well as her online school, Vintage Sewing School. Obviously, she focuses on vintage- but not just vintage clothing, also vintage techniques. That means that your clothes tend to be better made, more hardy, than the way we do things now. Still uses a machine (so not that vintage!), but techniques from up to the 1960s. Highly recommend.
Now I remember being taught, in the days shortly after the Fifth Mass Extinction, that you spelled it "housewife" and pronounced it "huzzif," and knowledge of this point was one marker which showed you knew beans from split peas about what you were saying when it came to historical costume. (I always kept a cheap plastic dollar-store example in my desk drawer at work, and several times it saved me during wardrobe incidents-including once when I split the seat of my trousers!)
@@multifandommochi6547 The bit about the Fifth Mass Extinction is a jocular way of saying I'm old. The point about spelling and pronunciation being different is an old-skool prescriptivist speaking his experience.
jmcosmos thank you but I actually understood those parts. The one that confused me was knowing beans from split peas. And whether or not that had positive or negative connotations. Sorry to bother you again.
I was randomly recommended your video and the title totally clickbaited me. I was like “WHAAAAT? She wore those clothes for FIVE YEARS?” so I watched and I was hooked!
Puppies!!! And sewing chats. And puppies! Happy birthday Soobie! Thank you for another fantastic video Abby. And thank you for additional puppy content. Griff and Soobie are too cute!
Why I love Abby... Let me count the ways.... She’s sweet goofy and down to earth. The way she talks (with a hear’s lookin at you kid glint in her eye) makes me smile. She’s real about who she is and her abilities. Watching her sew make me feel soooo much better about my scrappy sewing. She has a beautiful smile and makes me smile with her!!! Lots of love Abby!!! 💕💕💕
Pure coincidental glee when I sit down to hand stitch my hussif/huswif/housewife while watching your video and become filled with crazy joy that we must be kindred spirits.
I love your vibe!!! I'm a plus size person, but I absolutely love stays as I wear a binder often, but I think it's hampering my recovery from breast reduction. Are stays a thing I could do.?? Could you do a video on plus size people in 18th and 19th c fashion?? Love Ur videos.
My mother said they used "rags" for their period and did soak them in buckets for reuse. Surprisingly, in 1971 after giving birth to my daughter, I was given a giant T shaped cloth made of some absorbent cotton material to hold a very large Kotex type pad. It went around the waist and between the legs being pinned at the front. I think it may have been also used in the past to hold the "rags" next to the body.
I subbed after THAT video. Mostly because I loved the honesty about 18th century clothes and about how we're doing it all wrong. It's really inspired me to make my own to wear IRL, because I'm tired of the way bras don't fit, and everything that covers is super hot and having to work my arse off to lose ,well, my arse, when I could just compensate with the right clothes. I've been constantly researching since your video on making my own clothes this way. Also I found out about the pockets to wear under the petticoat, which gives every dress pockets!! So yeah, thanks for the info and inspiration!
When you were doing the apology part, I did not buy for one second that you were going to keep that apology serious! I appreciate the sincerity, and the seriousness at the beginning was peak humor! 😂
Con go atulations on your recent success!! The algorithm decided that I wanted to watch you - and it was quite insistent, putting you out there for several days before I clicked.
I actually found you through Dandy Wellington, Virtuous Courtesan, and Not your Momma's History. You have been in a few pics and videos... I looked you up. I saw a video about hair care featuring a few of you. LOVED IT. I do follow Bernadette Banner and Karolina Żebrowska. I am in AWE of all the things I am learning about through all of you. Keep it up! I too have an Art history back ground and Theatre. I would love to do reenactment. I should do more research.
I have a new youtuber to watch and for that you should never feel like you aren't worth our time. Love the sass, the emotions, the sewing and knowledge.
It amuses me greatly to think that you went to Glasgow Uni. That is my alma mater and I have such fabulous recollections of my time there. I think I’d have loved wearing historical costumes all day. I’ve always had a love of historical clothing, footwear, hairstyles etc. Shame I went onto be a specialist nurse lol I love your channel, it was funny but I’ve subscribed to your channel since I discovered your channel shortly after this video as released but today I was sorting through some of my patterns in my too large pattern box and lo and because there was your face. Least wise, I was sure it was you. You looked just as good then as now. I still adore your channel
Thank you! I am an Art Historian and keep encouraging my students that they can have rewarding careers doing various things, especially museum work. Several of my students were theater majors who have gone on to work on and off Broadway and several who ended up in historical and/or house museums. Thank you for sharing your story.
Our granddog had really stinky breath so we bought her Milk Bone brushing chews. She gets them after she has done her morning business outside. She then comes in and in a designated spot does her tricks our daughter taught her. She then gets her chewing treat. Her breath is lovely now and her vet says her teeth are great!
Hey! I'm kinda new - had been following Bernadette Banner for some time now but just recently did a hefty sweep to start following quite a few more historical/vintage costume design interest people! This happened recently enough I've still been catching up on older content, so it was during Tech Side of TH-cam stream yesterday that I heard about all this "boom I just went viral and didn't have a chance to be weird and figure it out!" .. can't even imagine how crazy that must be to experience. Anyways, I very much enjoy your presence! And content! And doggos!! Glad to be here for the journey!
So, I know nothing about sewing, but I fell down the costube rabbit hole after the last few weeks, and now it's making me want to start. Also, PUPPERS!
Your videos are all really interesting and informative. As to the history of women’s menstruation, there is the online Museum of Menstruation with some fascinating articles and surviving examples of what women used during their time of the month. There is a late 1800s / early 1900s advertisement for an ‘apron’ which is a cloth for the purpose that “girds the loins” as you say. There is also the Vagina Museum in London which has an exhibit on the subject and a podcast.
If you do branch into the 19th century (America) I think it would be an awesome project to look at the clothes that Laura Ingalls Wilder describes making in the Little House books. As you may be familiar with, the way she delves into descriptions of how the dresses were constructed and sewed, and what materials used, how the undergarments were constructed and/or sewed, as well as how many dresses she or her mother or sisters might own, etc, say a lot about both the clothing and the household economies. It would be so awesome if someone actually tried to reconstruct that clothing.
I consider myself a historian. I was a history major and have continued my studies in the 40+ years since getting my degree. Consequently, I really appreciate your videos for the history, even though as a man I don't have a personal interest in wearing the clothing, etc. But it is a huge help in understanding PEOPLE in the context of their times. So thank you very much.
Thanks for this video! What's kind of funny to me honestly, is that last week I was wondering how women of antiquity dealt with thigh chafing! I have very large thighs, and even with split drawers (I wear a lot of 1840's-1860's stuff), I can get some uncomfortable chafing, and if I'm wearing things like pants or drawers I can rub holes in the thighs because of the friction. I wondered if women pre-drawers who had bad chafing might've used powder of some sort (kinda the same idea as baby powder), along with the absorbing power of the chemise? In any case, this was a great video. Congratulations on your expanded audience!
Can’t help with the historical, but mine have rubbed since I was a kid and they get very raw and painful. About a year ago, after many many tries, I found Monistat anti-chafing gel. It’s silicone based, and it’s the best I’ve found. Usually, though, I wear shorts underneath my dresses because it’s just too much damage otherwise, if I walk more than like a block in the heat and sweat. Deodorant and anti-perspirant don’t work as well for me. I’m looking into the Bandolettes, but usually just use some undergarment shorts from Target or such. I’m just not very fussy and need to be on the move.
Thank you so much for making this video, Abby. It's great to get to know you better. You are not an imposter, you are you and please never stop being you. Love the bloopers at the end of your videos. You've inspired me to pick up sewing again and explore whether I can make a career out of sewing. Thank you.
So because I am a total nerd, I knew where you worked as soon as you said living meuseum. I'm sure other people have figured it out as well, but I'll keep the secret. I have wanted to work there since the first time I went when I was 8 (we're a similar age I believe). I dressed in a sack back gown to my senior prom, complete with stays. I'm so glad you made that video and this one. I am literally living my dream thru you so thank you for sharing your experiences!
I found you through Bernadette's channel, through a dive through TH-cam, and I found Bernadette from Rachel. I don't remember how I found Rachel though. I think it was a random search for how to sew something, and I stared going through all these sewing tutorials (and binge watching). I'm glad I found this channel cause you're funny, but very informative. Keep it up!
My mom has done this historical research and it’s been common for many centuries to use a special apron to collect blood. You essentially “free bleed” onto a quilted or otherwise absorbent worn down the back in between the body and the shift. She made a reproduction and says it’s great to sleep in and sit in and a bit of a gamble when standing/working.
I appreciate your channel SO much. I wish the availability of specific education and community support for historic clothing were something that existed 25 years ago. You are a hero to 15 year old me. Please keep the videos coming- I enjoy getting to know you very much!
Hi Abby, I am a woman from New Zealand, who shares your love of history and "dress ups". I have recently made up some historic aprons for myself and my (home-schooled), daughters, as I thought to myself "If I am going to go to all that trouble of making regency gowns, I want to protect them by having aprons to wear when we're doing dirty stuff." Actually I have done two of the four at this stage, but have begun to cut out the other two. I decided to try an innovation of adding some deep (concealed) pockets into the side seams because it is so helpful to have free hands when one is doing housework, and discovering all the things which have migrated around the house! It is so encouraging to hear your experiences of the freedom and joy you get from learning the benefit of making clothes from natural fibres and learning how comfortable they are when you wear them properly. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Esther
Thank you for these historical insights. An often overlooked source for clothing (and just everything historical) is the "Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. She was a contemporary after all and the everyday everything is pure gold.
when you submitted your video, two supper popular TV shows were out. Poldark was having their last season. Outlander presented their first episode of their new season. They have alot of super devoted fans. Around this time cosplayers and MCcalls youtube sensations were showing how to make dresses based on these books?TV shows. You posted yours at a perfect time.
I started watching and following you because of your "Everyone Sucks at Sewing" video, which made me feel so much better about not being able to tailor clothing like my mother could. I'm in my fifties now, and I'm STILL learning new things!
Please read question out loud. I happened to be sewing and pressing and listening. Missed a step or two on topics. Love your humor. And knowledge. Thnx for sharing
Griff looks like he's got Greyhound in him. I don't see any Border Collie; his personality is definitely Lab, but his body shape looks houndish, especially his tail. He's wonderful. On another note, people are seeking relief from the train wreck that is modern life. Channels like yours take us back to a time when the world didn't feel like a ticking time bomb, and content that is related to self-reliance and domesticity are on the rise (cooking, homesteading, sewing, etc.). Kind of like how the Arts and Crafts movement of the 1800s was a pushback against the mechanization of the Industrial Revolution. Plus, your glorious personality isn't hurting you any.
We think he's got hound in him too, for the same reasons you mentioned! (He is also 100% wonderful - I wish I could have shown everyone his progress from when we adopted him on New Year's Eve - I couldn't even pet him - and now he's my shadow and 100% mama's boy.)
@@AbbyCox That's so sweet. My boys are my life. They were also rescues and very traumatized, but in the same way as yours, they never leave my side now. The love i feel both for and from them is so very comforting, and eases the fear and loneliness in these very uncertain times x
I loved the conversation. I worked at A living history museum for a summer, so I had some of the elements. They didn’t make stays for the summer employees, but I had the rest and it was, indeed, comfortable in a way. Although, people did think I was pregnant since I didn’t have that smooth front. ^.^
I'm glad your video went "viral" cause it was the first of your videos I saw and I immediately subscribed. You're my cup of tea. I love your videos, I think I've gone back and watched them all.
So, as Renaissance Festival nerd, I am very interested in learning more about historical management techniques for thigh chafing and menstruation. Sure, I *can* just wear sporty shorts, but as you mentioned in ""that video,"" trying to deal with modern undies amongst ALL THE YARDAGE of skirts and the reduced flexibility of supportive boned garments is A Whole Time™.
Hi Abby! I just want to say thank you. I’m in bed sick with COVID-19 and I’ve spent all morning watching these videos. Thank you for helping take me out of my head for a while! ❤️
🎉 HOUSEWIFE KITS! So, the housewife I was sewing was just a pattern I doodled up before cutting it out, so there is no *exact* pattern like available. However, there are some kits available to purchase from some lovely small businesses!
Willoughby & Rose: willoughbyandrose.com/collections/supply-kits/products/18th-century-housewife-hussif-kit
The Lady Detalle: www.etsy.com/shop/LadyDetalle?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=695684041§ion_id=16515943
You have inspired me to live a dream of mine for years . So thank you
Fanciful Utility by Anna Worden Bauersmith also has mid 19th century housewife patterns based on extent pieces she has in her personal collection. www.thesewingacademy.com/shop/
Pardon me but what is a housewife for exactly?
@@sarenahuisman3446 mini sewing kit, like a travel kit for running repairs.
You said you were dressed normal, or like middle class, but wasn't the middle class a lot smaller in the 18th century? I am thinking back to an account of a diptheria(?) outbreak in London 200 years later that was describing appalling conditions throughout many of London's large working class. Also, as you know better than me, wardrobe would be smaller and garments washed less frequently. So a woman with whatever socioeconomic status was most prevalent would wear a dress with fabric that clean and fresh looking? I don't intend for my tone to sound pushy, I'm just curious.
Oh, and in the original video, you said that nowadays we don't protect our skin from the sun but back in the day you might wear a long sleeve white gown. Wasn't Marie Antoinette's portrait of her in a white dress cause controversy because the color and fabric were similar to that of underclothes? Or were most white gowns totally acceptable because of different fabric choices or another reason I'm not considering?
I would absolutely love to watch a detailed video about how people dealed with menstruation back then!
I will be working on it! There is so much to discuss, explore, and experiment with! 😍
Me, too!!
@@AbbyCox Thank you, I'll be looking forward to it! It is definitely a super interesting rabbit hole to jump in.
There is a book called The Curse by Emily Toth. She is an English prof but I took every class she offered on my journey to acquiring a History degree. Monthly rags were the norm-tied on securely with more strips of cloth. Oh, the monthly rags were washed and reused. I guess the maxi pads with a belt from my teen years are a step up from that.
This is all so fascinating! Congratulations on your channel :)
Yes she does sound like this in real life. 😂 Favorite part about her...her personality!
I love you *so much* 😂❤️❤️
That's why I love watching her videos, and her and Lauren's livecasts - it feels like I'm hanging out with my best friends
Me too. I've just subscribed to your channel Cheyney and I'm looking forward to the education. Thank you xxx
Totally!!!
Id love to find ways to incorporate clothes, then and now. Love listening to you. (I volunteered at a homestead house with my mother in Virginia when i was young.)(carding wool, spinning and turn of the century dancing) it was a great experience. (Love your channel)
Congratulations! I watch you because you are real, funny, and informed. :) In the 70's I asked my grandmother(born in 1900)detailed questions about her/her mother/her grandmother and their actual 'dealing with the period process. She told me that as far as she knew, nothing had changed in all that time. She wore 'cotton waste' - which is the short stapled cotton left from the baling/ginning/processing of cotton, which was rolled into a short roll, placed in the center of a long strip of cloth which was tack stitched to her waist band at the back. The front of the strip was pulled forward, between her legs and tucked (or normal days) or tied (for fieldwork, etc days) to the waist band in the front. Further questions elicited that the waist band was actually just a strip of cloth which she wore around her waist to hold this contraption during her period. The cloth strip was washed and reused. The waste cotton was burned. She further stated that she only burned it when all the men were out of the house as it smelled. She did not know what women who lived in places where 'waste cotton' was not available did. She was of the opinion that women just did what they needed to and made as little fuss as possible. She also stated that 'so many women were pregnant most of the time' that it didn't 'figure'. I was raised in rural western Texas. She and her family were also rural, southern women. She also described the wonder of the first commercial period pad she ever saw! Her sister was working in a hotel in Waco and they had them for sale to 'travelers'. She was impressed, but did not hold with burning money. So, I don't think she ever used commercial products.
My mom used the same system, but crocheted from wool. They were reused after washing, and if they didn't hang on the laundry line, all neighbours knew that woman was pregnant (laundry was done every 4 weeks, since it took several days). My mom was born 1940 in Germany. When she started earning her own money she would spend 1/3 of her salary buying disposable pads because she was disgusted by having to wash the woolen ones.
Wow! So informative! Thank you for sharing!
My husbands grandmother, born in a farm around the Depression, mentioned a “menstrual crock” once. It sat on the back porch and I think must’ve functioned sort of like a diaper genie today, holding them separately and enclosed until they could be washed (maybe even boiled?). Unfortunately she now has late stage Alzheimer’s and I can’t ask for clarification and I haven’t had luck finding more documentation online. Was it a rural thing? A class thing? A family habit? Unknown but the word “menstrual crock” will haunt my thoughts forever.
"She also stated that 'so many women were pregnant most of the time' that it didn't 'figure'". I imagine this happened a lot. Even today with women who have children back to back for a few years, or just have a lot in general, between pregnancy and breastfeeding, you don't get your period at all during that time. When you figure that before the invention of baby formula all women were breastfeeding for likely well over a year, even one pregnancy could mean you didn't get your period for 2 years or more, it's entirely likely that many married women didn't have a period for many years or only had one once every several years between children. It likely wasn't an issue they dealt with as regularly as we're thinking.
@@Leiloni What about bleeding after birth? That one takes a while...
Abby answering the important questions here, The names of her pups.
😂😂😂 the guilt I felt when I got called out by the lack of introducing my doggos was *bad*
@@AbbyCox The real truth about youtube, when people care more about your pets than your actual content. xD The extra footage of them at the end was A+ content .
Anyways, I actually loved the video and am looking forward to seeing more from you, Thank you for creating!
@@allusen 😂😂😂 Thank you for watching & being here! I am more than happy to share all the pup footage because they are endlessly entertaining to me 😂.
A murder trial is not what I was expecting to hear about during a conversation about menstruation, but I'm definitely intrigued
I read somewhere that pms was part of lizzie borden's legal defense.
Part of Lizzie Borden's defense was that the clothing she burnt in the incinerator was stained with menstrual blood, rather than the blood of her parents.
Also something to keep in mind about the information offered as a defense at a murder trial...it’s possible she actually was guilty and that she was describing this method of dealing with menstruation because it was unusual (and actually not a method she even used, but rather one contrived to prove her innocence).
Hi. Librarian here. Great video.
I know of three possible ways to get more access to primary sources than the ones mentioned in the video.
1. Your public library. They are often subscribed to major databases.
2. A university you previously attended. You may be able to access the library databases for free or for a discount.
3. A local college or university. There can be a fee (and quite expensive) but it is better than paying for each article on Google Scholar and you have access to the researchers at the university library.
Hope that helps. The video is great.
Edit: And to clarify, I am referring to using primarily sources transfered online available worldwide,, but all of the above can have physical primary sources as well.
Another librarian here....Don't forget that the library you use may also be able to borrow or obtain copies of resources from other libraries through their interlibrary loan services.
Hi, I'm yet a another librarian!
I'm working at a library with quite an impressive collection of prints and manuscripts from the middle ages through 16th, 17th century to today and also some of the 18th century, I wanted to add that at least in Europe many libraries have (growing) parts of their collection digitised and you can see and read many old books online for free by looking them up in the online catalogue. there are high quality photos of so many of our old books online, you just have to find the right one. and while my library specialises in 16th and 17th century, there are also some that focus on 18th century literature.
(Please excuse any grammar mistakes, English is not my first language. I tried.)
I once admitted a home care patient with a gravy boat collection. They weren't gravy boats.......... I told her son. The whole family already knew most weren't gravy boats. No one had the nerve to tell her!
😂😂😂😂😂
Ahem. Are “gravy boats” typically used from the front or the back? I know certain cultures use similar things today, so I’m curious how they relate and such, esp with western culture not really using those tools as much as eastern cultures.
You remind me so much of a friend from college. (We won't mention how long ago that was!) I was hooked by The Video. Such a fascinating way to think about the clothes I have taken for granted all my life. Wow
...
@@SJ-le2vc apparently from the front. There is a handle and it looks like a gravy boat except that both long sides are bowed in. I've seen it slipped under from the front then its squeezed between the legs. Very discrete hands free if you're good at it.
@@nckoes That's kind of brilliant.
Accessibility tip: repeat/read questions allowed for the blind/people who can't see the question bc they're sewing pretty please! 💖💖💖
I actually wore split drawers for my wedding. The dress was modern but the gown was full and heavy (ballgown). And i was glad i could pee by myself without needing any help. Prioratire's video was definitely a help!
Split drawers are THE BEST THING OF ALL TIME! (This was super-genius!)
I sure wish that I had known about split drawers and also known that approaching the toilet "backward" or "horse style" would have made my life sooooo much easier! Of course that might have been too much of a show for my brother in law at the end of the reception when we did a traditional thing from hubbie's family (sie leben hoch) where the bride and groom are toasted "most highly" ...being lifted and bounced on chairs and bil's head went under my dress! :0
@@bun04y
Those are risks I would take, especially when there is so much fabric concealing everything.
For chafing I rub solid deodorant on the inside of my thighs after, a shower. It lasts 8 - 12 hours depending on the brand. Secret, Lady Speed Stick, Dove , etc. as long as it is solid. This is also good for under the breast (for big breast) and or excessive stomach area/rolls. Any place where skin rubs, it should be applied. The downside to this is that my toilet seat needs a little extra cleaning because the deodorant on the thighs gets on the seat. This is a small price to pay for comfort!! But it works!!! You only need to reapply if you go swimming. Please spread the word and enjoy wearing summer dresses 👗👍🏽😁
I've been using this little hack for years. I use the Mens Dove Stick under my breasts and butt/thigh crease and it works a treat. But you're right about the additional toilet seat cleaning lol
I tried it once. It lasted maybe 5-10 minutes and then PAIN. I have to have some sort of physical barrier. It’s an awesome hack for some people, it’s just not a universal one.
Monistat has a anti-chafing lotion that’s been the best I’ve found, other than shorts, to help with the chub rub, in modern days.
Look into a product called "Body Glide" it's made specifically for this purpose. It won't transfer on your clothes or toilet.
@@SJ-le2vc I found the silicone formulation of Monistat made me a bit claggy! :o(
I want a merch sticker that says "Ibuprofen ain't got nothin' on Laudanum, guys." Just...please?
Laudanum and Asperin(used to be a clear liquid) bottles with Tequila and Vodka are part of my steam punk attire.
I second this motion.
@@byronthe0xx i will make it ;) -HalcionDaze
I could do that, @CatBat333 I have a few ideas for it too
Answer to how to know if a video has gone viral: if a video has more than double the average view count of the channel in question it can be considered viral. So 1 million views is considered viral for a sewing video, but not for a music video.
How I got here(hold on for the ride): I could sew enough to hold two pieces of fabric together, with a machine. My Nanna taught me when I was a kid. Recently, with the pandemic, I took up sewing masks. I was traveling for my job and away from a sewing machine, so I looked up how to sew by hand. That was when I found Bernadette Banner. Bernadette Banner led me down a rabbit hole of historical costuming, then to stays, which led me to you, American Duchess, and a new hobby. I’ve watched your videos over and over, and while I know nothing about garment construction except for what y’all have taught me, I’m going to make a pair of stays. This will eventually lead to a robe a la francaise.
When I learned to knit....as soon as I got the basics down, I found the most difficult lace I could, and made that. Struggling through things way beyond my skill set teaches me sooooo much along the way.
Check out the Burnley and Trowbridge historical sew-alongs !
Same here, went from sewing help to Bernadette Banner sewing pockets to Abby and I am sucked into all the new videos are awesome.
Welcome to the dark side. We serve tea and cookies every day at 4 :D Btw, you should check out costume college, if you want to really fall down the well!
PLEASE do a video on menstruation during the 18th century. I've always been curious.
I’m an early subscriber. I think I was in the first 200? Don’t worry so much about putting more of yourself out here...just BE yourself. Being your own snarky, vivacious self is what brought us to you. As an Idahoan and official spud, I love your mug! This tater loves you. Thank you for answering those questions, particularly about your doggos! They’re just too cute. Love, light, and blessings to you and yours, and may life be kind until next we meet.
I saw that mug and thought about the book “Potatoes Not Prozac”. True thing. Apparently they can be a mood enhancer... author referenced the science.
😭😭😭 I always look for your comments on my videos, because you were one of my first subs and seeing your comment is like a digital security blanket! ❤️ Big hugs!
Hey I'm in Idaho too!! Where from in Idaho?!
Ok that's precious tho, mom going thru the comments for you
Hi, Mom!
Hi!
Vee Dragon Hi!
Vee Dragon Hi Mom! 😁🤗
I watched it twice: once on my own, one with my boyfriend. He loved your dress and your zany personality. And my sister watched it. And my daughter...
On the topic of menstruation, I suffered from excruciating periods prior to my hysterectomy (endometriosis), to the point where I couldn't wear tampons, and frequently just the pressure of panties was more than I could bear on my pelvis, taking pads off the list of options, as well. Free bleeding was destructive to my limited wardrobe, so I started "wearing" a folded washcloth or piece of linen towel held between my thighs to do the job, with a loose shift worn over all (no waistbands allowed on days I was that tender). I got used to it pretty quickly, to the point where I could putter around the house without it shifting around. Not sure I would have trusted it out in public, and I am as far from a thigh gap as one could get, but I did wonder if historically, women might not have utilized something similar. One wouldn't be mending fences, riding to market, etc while using such an arrangement, but (pain allowing) would have been able to get through a large portion of their normal activities...
I'm not sure how early this was invented but until the adhesive pad was invented (1970s) women used a "belt" that went around the waist and between the legs suspending a disposable pad or cloth. Ask a woman who was of childbearing age in the 60's they could tell you all about it.
@@daisymae3717 Or the 70s or 80s. My mother remembers wearing them and she was born in the 60s.
I use washable pads that snap on to my panties. Hand wash or throw them in the wash! Easy peasy.
Amanda Joy I remember seeing belted pads for sale in the 80s and sex ed books mentioned them. In the UK they were Dr White's which are still sold. Why did women still wear them then though? I thought belted pads were pretty much abandoned when the stick-on pads came along.
@@IndigoJo I was not of childbearing age until the 00s, so I don't really know, but possibly everyone 25-ish and under in the 70s switched but women who were between 25 and 50 kept doing what they were already used to?
Say, Abby,
Could you show us what the Hussif would hold? Where would things go? I get the pin-cushion, but the rest is a mystery. Thanks!
just sewing bits and bobs - thimbles, needles, pins, thread, small scissors, bits of candy wrappings, wadded up receipts, fossilized dog treats...bits of fuzz..you know..normal stuff. 😂❤️
@@AbbyCox don't forget bobby pins and couple of foreign coins!
Plus some buttons I bet and don't know for sure but surely some bits of ribbon!
Lip balm. A must.
A needle threader and quick unpick are essential too!
For those wondering about periods and dealing with it, maybe a diva or moon cup could help a lot. I've been using one over pads for a few years and they are a great alternative to pads and tampons for historical use. TMI but I only change mine 2 each day, once when I wake up and then again before I go to bed so I think you could easily go a full day of costuming at an event and not have to worry about changing. Also catch that Gap Victorian shirt! Mine ahould be coming in next week
This!! I wear mid-Victorian clothes a lot, and while I haven't used Victorian reproduction menstrual products (yet), my go-to is a menstrual cup, with modern cotton underpants, a cotton reusable pad (the kind that just snaps right on), and no split drawers that day. I tend to have a super heavy flow, and I also forget I'm wearing the cup sometimes or get stuck doing something outside, so having the extra layer for leakage is essential. But it works great, and I recommend it for anybody who has a heavy flow.
Same here. Cups have been a life saver for festivals and events.
@@horseenthusiast1250 I second that! I used to use tampons before I knew about cups, and let me tell you.. changing a tampon with all the skirts is a challenge! Its much better with a cup because I don't have to change it until evening when I am back in modern clothes.
In high school, a group project of mine did some similar research as far as a cervical cap for preventing pregnancy or attempting to abort an unwanted surprise, and half a lemon was sometimes used (not all that successfully, but possibly more successfully than without,) so I’m curious if something along those lines could’ve been used by some. Probably not more “proper” woman, but maybe amongst lower class women or prostitutes?
Disclaimer: do not use the lemon, it’s not supposed to be very hygienic or safe, so not something I’d recommend for many reasons! Current/modern products are much safer, please stick to those.
Easy, the reason we all subscribed after watching that video is because of your personality. You seem really fun to be around so you don't have to worry, keep being yourself and we'll be there for the journey. Thanks for your videos and best if luck with your channel. p.s. love your puppers❤
I'm surprised that any information about periods in the 18th century exists at all. It was such a taboo subject. My mother grew up in the 1930's, and when she got her first period, she had no idea what was going on. When she got her second period, she told her mum, and was meet with "oh you've started that nonsense". Not very helpful.
David Hutchison 1st period in the 1970s , not much change till then, I thought I was dying. 🤨
That's fucking terrifying 😳 I couldn't imagine not knowing what's going on
Omgsh 0.0 I thought mine was terrifying. No mom at the time, just my dad. But dang that’s rough. My daughter is 9 and already knows so much about what to expect. Like I don’t want her scared and want her to know I support her when she hits puberty.
@@RebeccaStoneoffthehook I used to go on 'beinggirl.com' when I was younger it taught you everything and even sent you a free period kit. With pads, tampons and deodorant. There also articles. I believe I learned about it in a tween magazine 😁
I got my first period on a Sunday night, during a commercial break watching Bonanza. Grabbed my aunt ‘cause I thought I was dying! After she stopped laughing and yelling at my mother, for not warning me, she explained how to take care of myself.
Didn't that start with Rachels video about "Born in the wrong century"? That's how I found you.
Yep! That video came out on Friday and then the "I wore..." came out on that Sunday! ❤️
@@AbbyCox I came for the look, stayed for the smiles and the content. Love your blouse btw.
@@darkiee69 Thank you! 😍 It's from the Gap!
Abby Cox you also sound like Rachel Maksy. I am happy to have found you. Continue your good work!
Let's see... i found Abby through Rachel, who i think i found through Morgan, who i definitely found through Bernadette, who i found through a costuming IRL friend :)
I love your channel Abby and American Duchess. I was given 2 pairs of huge linen lined, embroidered silk curtains from a mansion being renovated. I'm hoping, with the help of your pattern, to make a Robe a la Francaise. I'm very nervous, but it's been a dream of mine since childhood. I bought some excellent pre-made stays and undergarments, but the gown I want to make myself. Wish me luck. Thank you for all of your advice. xxx
It's so bizarre that linen has become a luxe fabric when.... it wasn't. Linen (and hemp!) were mainstays for so long and now if you want linen bedsheets -- or linen outfits -- you have to save up for them and wash them till they're perfect.
It’s probably already mentioned in the comments. But one word that is still used for menstruation is rags. Which gives an idea of what was possibly used during their monthly.
I found your channel after Bernadette Banner gave you a shout out on her Instagram story!
Me too!
Same.
Ditto
"it is a smart house" *terrified glance at ceiling*
Now that we know your puppies, we can live a happier life
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Abby - Love your energy! I fell down the old time menstruation rabbit hole a few years ago and just sticking rags/towels between your legs and having wearing an apron under your clothes to protect your clothing was the common solution (i think it was primarily worn backwards, to protect your skirts when you sat down. Also came across using a piece of sheep skin (with the wool on it) as a pad, the wool would absorb the blood and it was washable and reusable. Sadly, I'm post menopausal and won't be able to try any of the old or new solutions.
I found you in the channels you might like based on what you subscribe to. My great grandmother (born in 1903) said regarding her period they rolled up rags and pinned them to their drawers. I'd imagine in the earlier era they may have done the same and belted them in place with the apron. Love your channel. Keep up the good work.
I would love to see a more detailed vid about periods in the 18th cen. I am always interested in getting more information about how women really lived their lives. Thank you for sharing your vibrancy with all of us! I am really enjoying seeing what you're working on.
i found american duchess through bernadette banner's video. when i realized you had your own channel, i couldn't click subscribe fast enough! if you asked me which video was my favorite, i'd have to say all of them. :)
Me too :)
😭😭😭 Thank you!!! ❤️
@@AbbyCox
I love the history of clothing and fashion, along with other parts of social and cultural history (food, the arts, technology, everyday living, etc.) so I've been drawn to your videos and other historical costumer videos. If I ever get up the nerve to properly learn sewing (beyond sewing cat toys, pillow covers and hemming pants and skirts!), I would love to make comfy yet pretty 1910s-1920s style clothes. Your puppies are so cute! 🥰
I made myself a travel sewing kit in a vintage cigarette tin I got from my grandpa. Made myself a pin cussion in a similar way to yours, but stuffed mine with cut up cabbage and other tiny fabric scraps and thread bits, since I don't have any stuffing. Recycling!
Oh my gosh! I’m studying at IU now!! I love it here :) part of my degree is historical music study, and I’ve been entertaining the idea of giving a recital of period music on period instruments in period costumes 😂
That sounds amazing! There is a lovely historical costuming community in Bloomington/area - I'm sure people would *love* the recital!
Abby Cox I’ve been wondering if there are people/groups/places to get started around here, but haven’t been able to track any down! Do you have any suggestions?
I’ve been following American Duchess for some time and recently found out that you have your own channel now. Super Excitement. When the first book came out you unknowingly helped me make not one but two pair of stays (especially the extra info about leather eyelet reinforcement). They are so much more comfortable than the store bought stays we have at work. I am also *that person*. So Thank You! Your channel is Wonderful.
Having a mum who will check your viral video's comments section for you is another level of mum+daughter connection! 😆 I looove my mama but must admit that's never a dilemma I've ever needed her help with 😅
🤪 I hope you had advertising on your viralized video!!! Whoof!!!
It took a week, but I have ads on it now! (thank goodness!)
Was wondering about some of those things. Everyday practicality. Thank you!
You're welcome! Never thought I'd be talking about my period on TH-cam, but here we are.... 😂
I was here early ish! I first saw you on Bernadette's video doing a hair demonstration in New York, when I heard you had a new channel (from Bernadette) I came over and loved it! I have watched most of your videos more than once already. I loved the unboxing videos because you are showing amazingly detailed images of a primary source (ones I like) and your well informed detailed assessment of them! Plus, I love your personality, makes me smile.
Edited: spelling mistake🤦🏻♀️
Fellow IU Art History alum here! Just an FYI, if you happen to be a paid member of the IU Alumni Association, academic journal access is a member benefit. If not, try your local library. Even if they don't have a subscription to academic journal databases, you should still be able to request individual articles through Interlibrary Loan. Also, absolutely loving the channel!!
because of that video I become a new subscriber.
I'm so happy you're here! :)
So did I! And Am. Duchess...
I wanna learn how to make my own clothes but I don’t know where to start learning it from? If any of you have any ideas or if you can make a video about it I’m sure a lot of people would be really appreciated. Also I love your videos ❤️
I started with a simple circle skirt. It's the easiest thing to start with but gives you the opportunity to learn different seams and closure techniques. Also start with cotton or linen or even a poly cotton fabric. It's an easy fabric to work with until you are ready to be more adventurous. My grandmother taught me the basics but TH-cam has been invaluable with sharpening my skills. Best of luck!
If you would be interested in a video on beginning from a beginner without a ton of experience(I sew clothes for myself, but I am mostly self-taught and not a professional), I am hoping to do a video on how I’m teaching myself on my channel sometime in the next couple weeks so if that’s interesting to you.... idk. Subscribe so you’ll see it or something. Self-promo, yay.
Update: I just filmed the video yesterday and it will be up tomorrow.
The channel Costuming Drama posted a video with tips for beginners. You could check out her channel, Abbey posted a link in the video description.
Everyone here has great suggestions & I would like to add www.sewoverit.co.uk to that list - they have an online subscription "Stitch School" which is *fantastic* and I highly recommend it!
Evelyn Wood has quite a few beginner videos- particularly the tips and tricks that actually turn out to be quite important. Like “what’s causing all this messy thread nesting?” And “why pressing is half of the job of sewing”. She also does stuff like how to renovate thrift shop garments and the like- there’s a definite focus on doing what you can to reduce waste and dependence on industries that aren’t very good for the environment.
So she has her TH-cam channel, as well as her online school, Vintage Sewing School. Obviously, she focuses on vintage- but not just vintage clothing, also vintage techniques. That means that your clothes tend to be better made, more hardy, than the way we do things now. Still uses a machine (so not that vintage!), but techniques from up to the 1960s. Highly recommend.
Perfect timing!!!! I literally just posted a question about thighs to a costume group a few days ago. BTW I love all your videos
Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying them! 😍
Now I remember being taught, in the days shortly after the Fifth Mass Extinction, that you spelled it "housewife" and pronounced it "huzzif," and knowledge of this point was one marker which showed you knew beans from split peas about what you were saying when it came to historical costume. (I always kept a cheap plastic dollar-store example in my desk drawer at work, and several times it saved me during wardrobe incidents-including once when I split the seat of my trousers!)
I honestly can’t tell if this is a complement or an insult. I have never heard that saying before.
@@multifandommochi6547 The bit about the Fifth Mass Extinction is a jocular way of saying I'm old. The point about spelling and pronunciation being different is an old-skool prescriptivist speaking his experience.
jmcosmos thank you but I actually understood those parts. The one that confused me was knowing beans from split peas. And whether or not that had positive or negative connotations. Sorry to bother you again.
I was randomly recommended your video and the title totally clickbaited me. I was like “WHAAAAT? She wore those clothes for FIVE YEARS?” so I watched and I was hooked!
You telling the camera to “don’t look at me!” Is sooooo cute!
Puppies!!! And sewing chats. And puppies! Happy birthday Soobie! Thank you for another fantastic video Abby. And thank you for additional puppy content. Griff and Soobie are too cute!
Thank you for sharing 😊😊
Why I love Abby... Let me count the ways.... She’s sweet goofy and down to earth. The way she talks (with a hear’s lookin at you kid glint in her eye) makes me smile. She’s real about who she is and her abilities. Watching her sew make me feel soooo much better about my scrappy sewing. She has a beautiful smile and makes me smile with her!!! Lots of love Abby!!! 💕💕💕
I rewatch this video so much! I just find it so nice to sit down with a cup of tea and watch 😊
Pure coincidental glee when I sit down to hand stitch my hussif/huswif/housewife while watching your video and become filled with crazy joy that we must be kindred spirits.
Dandy Wellington is *amazing. Thank you THANK YOU for pointing him out!
I love your vibe!!! I'm a plus size person, but I absolutely love stays as I wear a binder often, but I think it's hampering my recovery from breast reduction. Are stays a thing I could do.?? Could you do a video on plus size people in 18th and 19th c fashion?? Love Ur videos.
Hello from France, Hope you are OK. So did you leave the American Dutchess or it's just during the pandemic, you are a full-time youtuber?
The big question.
Griff is an Australian Kelpie . They work with sheep and cattle and love their family above anything.
Love from Australia.
Abby your videos are so full of info and personality, they make my nerd heart happy.
Please do the 18th century period video!!!!
My mother said they used "rags" for their period and did soak them in buckets for reuse. Surprisingly, in 1971 after giving birth to my daughter, I was given a giant T shaped cloth made of some absorbent cotton material to hold a very large Kotex type pad. It went around the waist and between the legs being pinned at the front. I think it may have been also used in the past to hold the "rags" next to the body.
I would love a video about how 18th century women handled their periods!
I subbed after THAT video. Mostly because I loved the honesty about 18th century clothes and about how we're doing it all wrong. It's really inspired me to make my own to wear IRL, because I'm tired of the way bras don't fit, and everything that covers is super hot and having to work my arse off to lose ,well, my arse, when I could just compensate with the right clothes. I've been constantly researching since your video on making my own clothes this way. Also I found out about the pockets to wear under the petticoat, which gives every dress pockets!! So yeah, thanks for the info and inspiration!
When you were doing the apology part, I did not buy for one second that you were going to keep that apology serious! I appreciate the sincerity, and the seriousness at the beginning was peak humor! 😂
Your channel is my new favorite rabbit hole on the internet!
I loved the video, but I absolutely adored the fact that you cited your sources!!
Con go atulations on your recent success!!
The algorithm decided that I wanted to watch you - and it was quite insistent, putting you out there for several days before I clicked.
I actually found you through Dandy Wellington, Virtuous Courtesan, and Not your Momma's History. You have been in a few pics and videos... I looked you up. I saw a video about hair care featuring a few of you. LOVED IT. I do follow Bernadette Banner and Karolina Żebrowska. I am in AWE of all the things I am learning about through all of you. Keep it up!
I too have an Art history back ground and Theatre. I would love to do reenactment. I should do more research.
I have a new youtuber to watch and for that you should never feel like you aren't worth our time. Love the sass, the emotions, the sewing and knowledge.
It amuses me greatly to think that you went to Glasgow Uni. That is my alma mater and I have such fabulous recollections of my time there. I think I’d have loved wearing historical costumes all day. I’ve always had a love of historical clothing, footwear, hairstyles etc. Shame I went onto be a specialist nurse lol
I love your channel, it was funny but I’ve subscribed to your channel since I discovered your channel shortly after this video as released but today I was sorting through some of my patterns in my too large pattern box and lo and because there was your face. Least wise, I was sure it was you.
You looked just as good then as now.
I still adore your channel
Thank you! I am an Art Historian and keep encouraging my students that they can have rewarding careers doing various things, especially museum work. Several of my students were theater majors who have gone on to work on and off Broadway and several who ended up in historical and/or house museums. Thank you for sharing your story.
Our granddog had really stinky breath so we bought her Milk Bone brushing chews. She gets them after she has done her morning business outside. She then comes in and in a designated spot does her tricks our daughter taught her. She then gets her chewing treat. Her breath is lovely now and her vet says her teeth are great!
Hey! I'm kinda new - had been following Bernadette Banner for some time now but just recently did a hefty sweep to start following quite a few more historical/vintage costume design interest people! This happened recently enough I've still been catching up on older content, so it was during Tech Side of TH-cam stream yesterday that I heard about all this "boom I just went viral and didn't have a chance to be weird and figure it out!" .. can't even imagine how crazy that must be to experience. Anyways, I very much enjoy your presence! And content! And doggos!! Glad to be here for the journey!
So, I know nothing about sewing, but I fell down the costube rabbit hole after the last few weeks, and now it's making me want to start. Also, PUPPERS!
Your videos are all really interesting and informative. As to the history of women’s menstruation, there is the online Museum of Menstruation with some fascinating articles and surviving examples of what women used during their time of the month. There is a late 1800s / early 1900s advertisement for an ‘apron’ which is a cloth for the purpose that “girds the loins” as you say. There is also the Vagina Museum in London which has an exhibit on the subject and a podcast.
If you do branch into the 19th century (America) I think it would be an awesome project to look at the clothes that Laura Ingalls Wilder describes making in the Little House books. As you may be familiar with, the way she delves into descriptions of how the dresses were constructed and sewed, and what materials used, how the undergarments were constructed and/or sewed, as well as how many dresses she or her mother or sisters might own, etc, say a lot about both the clothing and the household economies. It would be so awesome if someone actually tried to reconstruct that clothing.
I consider myself a historian. I was a history major and have continued my studies in the 40+ years since getting my degree. Consequently, I really appreciate your videos for the history, even though as a man I don't have a personal interest in wearing the clothing, etc. But it is a huge help in understanding PEOPLE in the context of their times. So thank you very much.
Thanks for this video! What's kind of funny to me honestly, is that last week I was wondering how women of antiquity dealt with thigh chafing! I have very large thighs, and even with split drawers (I wear a lot of 1840's-1860's stuff), I can get some uncomfortable chafing, and if I'm wearing things like pants or drawers I can rub holes in the thighs because of the friction. I wondered if women pre-drawers who had bad chafing might've used powder of some sort (kinda the same idea as baby powder), along with the absorbing power of the chemise? In any case, this was a great video. Congratulations on your expanded audience!
Can’t help with the historical, but mine have rubbed since I was a kid and they get very raw and painful. About a year ago, after many many tries, I found Monistat anti-chafing gel. It’s silicone based, and it’s the best I’ve found. Usually, though, I wear shorts underneath my dresses because it’s just too much damage otherwise, if I walk more than like a block in the heat and sweat. Deodorant and anti-perspirant don’t work as well for me. I’m looking into the Bandolettes, but usually just use some undergarment shorts from Target or such. I’m just not very fussy and need to be on the move.
Men had crotch powder so I’m sure women did as well for chafing issues.
You don't look old enough to have that much life experience. You're an amazing person and are quickly becoming one of fav TH-camrs. Love ya!
Thank you so much for making this video, Abby. It's great to get to know you better. You are not an imposter, you are you and please never stop being you. Love the bloopers at the end of your videos. You've inspired me to pick up sewing again and explore whether I can make a career out of sewing. Thank you.
So because I am a total nerd, I knew where you worked as soon as you said living meuseum. I'm sure other people have figured it out as well, but I'll keep the secret. I have wanted to work there since the first time I went when I was 8 (we're a similar age I believe). I dressed in a sack back gown to my senior prom, complete with stays. I'm so glad you made that video and this one. I am literally living my dream thru you so thank you for sharing your experiences!
I found you through Bernadette's channel, through a dive through TH-cam, and I found Bernadette from Rachel. I don't remember how I found Rachel though. I think it was a random search for how to sew something, and I stared going through all these sewing tutorials (and binge watching). I'm glad I found this channel cause you're funny, but very informative. Keep it up!
I like how her scrap fabric box says "cabbage" on it
My mom has done this historical research and it’s been common for many centuries to use a special apron to collect blood. You essentially “free bleed” onto a quilted or otherwise absorbent worn down the back in between the body and the shift. She made a reproduction and says it’s great to sleep in and sit in and a bit of a gamble when standing/working.
I appreciate your channel SO much. I wish the availability of specific education and community support for historic clothing were something that existed 25 years ago. You are a hero to 15 year old me. Please keep the videos coming- I enjoy getting to know you very much!
Hi Abby, I am a woman from New Zealand, who shares your love of history and "dress ups". I have recently made up some historic aprons for myself and my (home-schooled), daughters, as I thought to myself "If I am going to go to all that trouble of making regency gowns, I want to protect them by having aprons to wear when we're doing dirty stuff." Actually I have done two of the four at this stage, but have begun to cut out the other two.
I decided to try an innovation of adding some deep (concealed) pockets into the side seams because it is so helpful to have free hands when one is doing housework, and discovering all the things which have migrated around the house!
It is so encouraging to hear your experiences of the freedom and joy you get from learning the benefit of making clothes from natural fibres and learning how comfortable they are when you wear them properly. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Esther
Thank you for these historical insights. An often overlooked source for clothing (and just everything historical) is the "Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. She was a contemporary after all and the everyday everything is pure gold.
The pockets on that green skirt. 😻
For the thigh problem just apply baby powder where the burn usually happens and it will never happen gain, it WORKS so well
when you submitted your video, two supper popular TV shows were out. Poldark was having their last season. Outlander presented their first episode of their new season. They have alot of super devoted fans. Around this time cosplayers and MCcalls youtube sensations were showing how to make dresses based on these books?TV shows. You posted yours at a perfect time.
I started watching and following you because of your "Everyone Sucks at Sewing" video, which made me feel so much better about not being able to tailor clothing like my mother could. I'm in my fifties now, and I'm STILL learning new things!
Please read question out loud. I happened to be sewing and pressing and listening. Missed a step or two on topics. Love your humor. And knowledge. Thnx for sharing
Griff looks like he's got Greyhound in him. I don't see any Border Collie; his personality is definitely Lab, but his body shape looks houndish, especially his tail. He's wonderful. On another note, people are seeking relief from the train wreck that is modern life. Channels like yours take us back to a time when the world didn't feel like a ticking time bomb, and content that is related to self-reliance and domesticity are on the rise (cooking, homesteading, sewing, etc.). Kind of like how the Arts and Crafts movement of the 1800s was a pushback against the mechanization of the Industrial Revolution. Plus, your glorious personality isn't hurting you any.
We think he's got hound in him too, for the same reasons you mentioned! (He is also 100% wonderful - I wish I could have shown everyone his progress from when we adopted him on New Year's Eve - I couldn't even pet him - and now he's my shadow and 100% mama's boy.)
@@AbbyCox That's so sweet. My boys are my life. They were also rescues and very traumatized, but in the same way as yours, they never leave my side now. The love i feel both for and from them is so very comforting, and eases the fear and loneliness in these very uncertain times x
I love old court records and the fascinating ways women defended themselves! Very cool that they intersected with your medical research
I loved the conversation. I worked at A living history museum for a summer, so I had some of the elements. They didn’t make stays for the summer employees, but I had the rest and it was, indeed, comfortable in a way. Although, people did think I was pregnant since I didn’t have that smooth front. ^.^
Auntie Abby for the Monday morning win!
Oh my gosh!!!! I just started my program at University of Glasgow!!!!!!!! So cool!
So cute, the housewife project. Adorable doggos. Really enjoying your content. Thanks!
I'm glad your video went "viral" cause it was the first of your videos I saw and I immediately subscribed. You're my cup of tea. I love your videos, I think I've gone back and watched them all.
So, as Renaissance Festival nerd, I am very interested in learning more about historical management techniques for thigh chafing and menstruation. Sure, I *can* just wear sporty shorts, but as you mentioned in ""that video,"" trying to deal with modern undies amongst ALL THE YARDAGE of skirts and the reduced flexibility of supportive boned garments is A Whole Time™.
Hi Abby! I just want to say thank you. I’m in bed sick with COVID-19 and I’ve spent all morning watching these videos. Thank you for helping take me out of my head for a while! ❤️