• Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • START HERE
  • Tops
    • Butterick
    • Simplicity
    • Seamwork Magazine
    • Patterns by Gertie
    • View All
  • Dresses
    • Butterick
    • McCall’s
    • Vintage Vogue
    • Simplicity
    • Colette Patterns
    • Patterns by Gertie
    • View All
  • Skirts
    • Tribe Patterns
    • Self Drafted
    • View All
  • Outerwear
    • Butterick
    • Seamwork Magazine
    • Papercut
    • View All
  • Lingerie
    • Seamwork Magazine
    • Vintage Pattern Selector
    • View All
  • Accessories
    • McCall’s
    • Self Drafted
    • View All
  • Bust Adjustments
    • Darts
    • Gathers
    • Princess Seams
    • View All
  • Techniques & Tips
    • Pattern Drafting
    • Machine Techniques
    • Hand Sewing
    • Other Tips
    • Resource Lists
    • Tools
    • View All

Vintage on Tap

  • START HERE
  • Tops
    • Butterick
    • Simplicity
    • Seamwork Magazine
    • Patterns by Gertie
    • View All
  • Dresses
    • Butterick
    • McCall’s
    • Vintage Vogue
    • Simplicity
    • Colette Patterns
    • Patterns by Gertie
    • View All
  • Skirts
    • Tribe Patterns
    • Self Drafted
    • View All
  • Outerwear
    • Butterick
    • Seamwork Magazine
    • Papercut
    • View All
  • Lingerie
    • Seamwork Magazine
    • Vintage Pattern Selector
    • View All
  • Accessories
    • McCall’s
    • Self Drafted
    • View All
  • Bust Adjustments
    • Darts
    • Gathers
    • Princess Seams
    • View All
  • Techniques & Tips
    • Pattern Drafting
    • Machine Techniques
    • Hand Sewing
    • Other Tips
    • Resource Lists
    • Tools
    • View All
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

How to Sew Vintage: Start Here

Hi, I’m Bianca and Welcome to Vintage on Tap!

This website focuses on showing you the behind the scenes steps and process of sewing.

My aim is to show you the immense possibilities of sewing: how great fit and great construction influence our happiness and self esteem. My aim is both inspire and encourage you to sew your own handmade garments (specifically, how to sew vintage!)

If you’re brand new to sewing or are curious about how to sew vintage, this page is for you!

 

How to Sew, Vintage lifestyle and sewing | Vintage on Tap

 

Vintage-inspired sewing is a powerful way to take control of the way your clothing makes you feel, using beautiful silhouettes from the 40s, 50s, and 60s.

The process of picking out the perfect fabric for that perfect dress— and then making it a reality is absolutely a possibility and you can start today.

Practice and patience go a long way in creating a self sewn wardrobe, but by cultivating love for yourself, your body, and the garments you wear, you can become even more inherently radiant.

 

Sewing is an act of self love | Vintage on Tap

All the garments featured as part of a project on this blog were made by me, with over 17 years home sewing experience.

The journey to becoming a seamstress is inherently built on learning from your mistakes- but with each blouse, each dress, each yardage of fabric, you improve and get better.

Before scrolling ahead, you are welcome to check out the Vintage on Tap YouTube and Instagram pages! Both will feature the most up-to-date projects, Outfit of the Days, and sewing inspiration as I invite you into my sewing space in San Francisco.

Vintage on Tap on YouTube! Follow for sewing tutorials! | Vintage on Tap

Vintage on Tap YouTube channel | Vintage on Tap

Vintage on Tap on Instagram! Follow for fashion inspiration! | Vintage on Tap

Vintage on Tap Instagram page | Vintage on Tap

 

Let's Get Started Sewing! | Vintage on Tap

Learn how to sew vintage clothing | Vintage on Tap

I crafted this blog from the heart: to be a resource past the “this is how you sew a pillowcase” tutorial and instead focus on the journey of building confidence and love in the act of creating your own clothes.

This sewing blog is a repository of projects, information and video tutorials to get you started on your sewing journey.

A couple videos I recommend right off the bat are below:

 

 

If you’re brand new to sewing, please check out my Sewing Tools page.

Getting started making clothes that make you feel amazing does not have to break the bank and these are the tools I use and recommend (via Amazon Affiliates):

 

My Recommended Sewing Tools, by Vintage on Tap!

 

 

How to use this sewing blog | Vintage on Tap

Learn how to sew vintage clothing | Vintage on Tap

 

This blog has been updated and optimized with you in mind! I wanted this website to be your sewing resource. Scroll down to see the topics I cover:

Start Here to Sew! Technique Videos by Vintage on Tap

Technique Videos on this blog focus on specific sewing skills that will increase your experience level. They are not necessarily tied to a specific project, but are a bank of skills to practice and draw from as your experience increases. Techniques are both modern and also to each you how to sew vintage!

Snipping guide lines on bound buttonholes. Learn how to make bound buttonholes with this tutorial! | Vintage on Tap

Click here for Technique Videos

 

Start Here to Sew! Technique Videos by Vintage on Tap

The Fitting Videos on this blog are project based, however, skills covered in these videos are universal. I take a standard, out-the-envelope pattern, and show you, step by step how to I manipulate a pattern to fit, including pattern drafting.

Vintage Butterick B6282 | Vintage on Tap

Click here for Fitting Videos

 

Start Here to Sew! Technique Videos by Vintage on Tap

The Sewing Videos on this blog are project based as well, taking a popular or familiar vintage and retro sewing pattern, and showing you the sewing process. Videos in this category draw from the previously mentioned Technique videos, as well as showing you the shortcuts and tips that have worked for me in how to sew vintage.

How to sew vintage clothing, 1940s vintage B6282 | Vintage on Tap

Click here for Sewing Videos

 

Let's Get Started Sewing! | Vintage on Tap

I hope I’m able to inspire you to make your own beautiful garments.

Truly loving the way you look and feel– in clothing you make yourself– should be a joy everyone gets to experience.

-Bianca and the Vintage on Tap Team (Jose, Albondiga the Cat, and Michael the Editor)

 

Want MORE sewing tips and advice?

Get my sewing tips, advice, tutorials, and encouragement right in your inbox!

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Powered by ConvertKit

 

How to Sew, Vintage lifestyle and sewing | Vintage on Tap


Primary Sidebar

My name is Bianca, I'm 34 years old, and a California girl through and through 🏖

I inspire people to sew, to feel comfortable and confident in their bodies, and am an avid lover of tiki culture and Vintage Style Not Vintage Values!

ARCHIVES

CATEGORIES

POPULAR POSTS

This is the Colette Rue dress made with supplies purchased at Mood Fabrics | @vintageontap

The Colette Rue Dress

Rago Shapewear Girdle, Pinup Weightloss as a Seamstress | @vintageontap

Weightloss as a Seamstress, Revisted

Organizing your sewing patterns, digitally and storing correctly | @vintageontap

Organizing your Sewing Patterns, How to Video

How to Sew a Kickpleat, Completed Kickpleat| @vintageontap

How to Sew a Kickpleat

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · LBD Pro V on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

To those who eat the Turkey, hope you have a good To those who eat the Turkey, hope you have a good one 🦃 To those who rage against the Turkey, that too 🕊️⁠
⁠
Spending today at home recovering from illness and rage watching the World Cup. Typical us. ⁠
⁠
From our house to yours 💝
Oh hey. I made a Reel! (This is what happens when Oh hey. I made a Reel! (This is what happens when I’m stuck in bed sick 😷!)⁠
⁠
Last week I posted this trench coat on my channel and I’m still OBSESSED. Fits like a glove, makes me feel my 1940s fantasy, and sooooo warm and cozy. ⁠
⁠
Check it out, if you’re subscribed to the channel.⁠
⁠
And in the mean time, I will continue to debate whether or not I want to commit to a “IG Reels Strategy” as the internet keeps telling me I should do 🫡 ⁠
⁠
⁠
#falloutfit #1940sfashion #madewithmood #vintagesewing
Oh hey. There's a new video on the channel this pa Oh hey. There's a new video on the channel this past week about me making this hat, my last summer project of the year 😎⁠
⁠
If you wanna see my adventures trying to figure out how the heck snaps work, it's on the 'tube 😬!!⁠
⁠
#seamworkmeg #marysunhat #sewingblogger
We out here in these streets, sewing pretty clothe We out here in these streets, sewing pretty clothes and attempting to not fall mid-chola pose 🙏🏻⁠
⁠
👗 I made a @seamwork Meg dress with blue/white gingham shirting material which was perfect for a late summer look~ ⁠
⁠
Simple to sew and no fitting adjustments!! Forever appreciative that Seamwork's curvy pattern block nearly always fits me perfectly! ⁠
⁠
Might make a second for my birthday next month- we'll see 😉⁠
⁠
#sewingblogger ⁠
Six years on YouTube. Thousands of views and a hun Six years on YouTube. Thousands of views and a hundred videos... but still trying, still learning. Still full of excitement that I get to do this ❤️⁠
⁠
And insanely grateful that you're along for the ride 😎⁠
⁠
Thanks everyone for all your support viewing and commenting on my latest video- especially after 365 days since my last published tutorial, it's just amazing how much y'all are turning out to view it! ⁠
⁠
Did I answer all your no-dart FBA questions? Are you still curious to learn more? Does this video need... a follow up 😮?!⁠
⁠
Let me know down below!⁠ (and if you wanna watch the video, it's linked in my bio~)⁠
⁠
#smallyoutuber #sewingblogger #jefamoves #selfdiscoveryjourney #knowyourpower
Back to back meetings, coffee in my mug, but embra Back to back meetings, coffee in my mug, but embracing those 60s vibes 🌊⁠
⁠
New sewing video coming out this weekend and SO EXCITED for it. Been working super hard to get my old videos ready for publishing again. ⁠
⁠
Coming soon, to a YouTube channel near you... (aka, mine!) ⁠
⁠
🎥 No Dart FBAs, revisited! Answering all the questions that people have left me since 2017 😲⁠
⁠
🎥 Petite Adjustments! For us shorties!⁠
⁠
🎥 Sewing through body changes - Requested time and time again and finally tackling it! ⁠
⁠
Really looking forward to publishing again- it's been too long 😭⁠
⁠
If you're not subscribed, click through my Link in Bio 🏁⁠
⁠
#sewingforme #workfromhomestyle #rockabillygirl #jefamoves
⁠
"The Process is about doing the right things, righ "The Process is about doing the right things, right now. Not worrying about what might happen later, or the results, or the whole picture." ⁠
⁠
Credit: The Obstacle is the Way⁠
⁠
I've been doing a lot of reading about Stoicism over the last month and it's honestly been a really amazing "unlock" as I start posting more and *gasp* put out a new video later on this week.⁠
⁠
When started the project "Vintage on Tap", I would question every sewing project, every photo, every video, every idea, to the point of straight indecision and Analysis Paralysis. It's why I'd stop posting after a while, or why I'd stop taking pictures or even dressing up in the clothes that make me feel the most Me.⁠
⁠
Quotes like the one I shared really encapsulate the attitude I'm taking with a lot of things. ⁠
⁠
👗 Do what I can, right now. Do I control it? Take action with it. Am I spending more time thinking about the problem rather than solving the problem? Yikes!⁠
⁠
👗 Dress.Up. It's honestly one of the things that makes me feel the most like myself. Without my "drag" I don't feel like Bianca 😘⁠
⁠
👗Sew all the things. Seriously, the bug bit me again and I already have new projects to make on my sewing cart. And spending time with a thread and needle is healing magic.⁠
⁠
So ya. New video coming this week. Stay tuned (and follow on the 'Tube!) ⁠
⁠
⁠
#vintagesewing #sewingblogger #1950sfashion #modernpinup #vintagefloral #sewvintage #pinupofinstagram #vintageenthusiast
Beautiful things I brought back from the UK ✈️ Beautiful things I brought back from the UK ✈️⁠
⁠
🇬🇧 Liberty of London and V&A Museum archive pattern books. It was *extremely* important to me to purchase them... to observe the prints and patterns, to read the detailed historical notes, and to add to my creative and sewing library. I know I'll reference these over and over again in the future.⁠
⁠
🇬🇧 Liberty of London fabrics. HUGE because this is one of those textile design houses that I've only ever dreamed of working for (the other, btw, is Hermes 🥰)⁠
⁠
🇬🇧 Liberty "Alexa Frill Dress" pattern and notepad. The pattern is not something I normally gravitate towards, but I had no idea they actually had a pattern line so I wanted to check it out. The notepad will be used for my daily activities.⁠
⁠
🇬🇧Merchant and Mills wide bow scissors to replace my janky snips!⁠
⁠
🇬🇧 V&A Tote bag because... well, I needed one in the moment and the pattern was too beautiful to pass up!⁠
⁠
🇬🇧 Jane Austen inspired tarot cards. I only had 5-10 minutes to pop my head into the Jane Austen Center in Bath during a tour, and while I actually wanted everything in shop, I couldn't say no to buying one of my favorite things in the world *TAROT CARDS* at a gift shop dedicated to one of the authors who had the most impact on my young adult life. I can't wait to read with them!⁠
⁠
Is there something I should have picked up while I was there? Did I miss any Sewing Musts?⁠
⁠
As for UK Musts, I definitely 1- Got used to riding the Tube, 2- Ate Marmite, and 3- Had enough Traditional English Breakfasts to last me at least another year. All in all, fantastic trip.⁠
⁠
#sewingblogger #millennialsewing #sewingnotions #libertyoflondon #britishtextiles #tarotreadersofinstagram
It's important to take time off to give your brain It's important to take time off to give your brain time TO THINK and FIND INSPIRATION ✨⁠
⁠
From Old Trafford to Buckingham Palace, the V&A Museum to Bath... to Edinburgh! From a quick 5 minute visit to the Jane Austen Museum in Bath... to the ACTUAL Roman baths... and... even... Stonehenge- up close and personal 😱 (I actually cried there- it was so powerful and overwhelming.)⁠
⁠
While "wanderlust" and "omg take me back!" tend to encapsulate a lot of pop travel, I was instead left with the idea that... ⁠
⁠
WOW. It's really important to "shut off" regular life sometimes, to let your mind breathe and to allow new ideas to formulate. To reconnect with what actually makes you excited to get up in the morning. ⁠
⁠
I know this is a luxury for a lot of people-- actually, for most of us, with the grind of day-to-day life. But. When the opportunity arises, it's never a bad idea. ⁠
⁠
For me this sort of big trip is a rarity and my daily "shut off" moment is instead my coffee in the morning, with my journal and my tarot cards.⁠
⁠
What's yours? ⁠
⁠
#travelforthesoul #mentalhealth #sewinginspiration #uktravel⁠
⁠
Wait- has it already been TWO WEEKS since coming b Wait- has it already been TWO WEEKS since coming back from the UK? GET OUT 😱⁠
⁠
It was such a beautiful trip, being present for @luka1502 and @mr_mistta 's wedding! ⁠
⁠
Sharing a few photos of the Big Day that I really loved-- though more photos of the rest of the trip coming this week. ⁠
⁠
Super happy that we got to go- the ceremony was really magical 💍⁠
⁠
🥲⁠
⁠
#britishwedding #morningwear #vintageinspired #1950svintage

Copyright © 2023 · Vintage on Tap · Blog Design by Little Blue Deer
Privacy Policy