iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Long sacks ('sackback gowns' being a modern term) evolved over time. However, 3 ways to fit the back lining co-existed for over 50 years. This method is split open w/ lacing - almost infinite adjustability! Want to learn how? Workshop registration opening soon! www.timesmith.co.uk/scotland-wor...

0101

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

My workshop in Inverness, Scotland, next spring will teach how to make an English Gown from the 1740s. A few of my favourite examples: Image 1: V&A Museum, No. T.23-1972 Image 2: Louis-Philippe Boitard, c.1745, Yale Center for British Art, No. B1977.14.4926 www.timesmith.co.uk/scotland-wor...

0183

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Calling all historical fashion students, costume makers and re-enactors! I am delighted to announce a new series of 18th Century Gown-Making Workshops in Scotland next spring. Please spread the news... and start stitching those undergarments! 😉 www.timesmith.co.uk/scotland-wor...

02515

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Please help me get the word out! My workshop posts last year apparently got buried = no views. I put so much research and preparation - my mind, heart and soul - into teaching, so would love to see these classes fill up! #FashionHistory #CostumeMakers #HistoricalCostume

12522

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Announcement coming soon for three gownmaking workshops I'll be teaching in Scotland in March-April 2027. E-newsletter suscribers will learn all the details first, so head over to timesmith.co.uk and sign up, to hear all about them first. #18thcentury #mantuamaking #workshops

One of Rebecca's workshop students takes a selfie showing the back of her long sackback gown in a full-length mirror. Part of her face shows in the foreground, wearing a happy proud smile.

Rebecca demonstrates one step in making a longsack gown, which is spread out on a table in the centre of the photo, while her students cluster around taking photos and handwritten notes.

02512

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

John McCafferty @jdmccafferty.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Fragment of a wood-block print on linen. #Egypt, Mamluk period, 1200s-1300s. (The Cleveland Museum of Art)

0396

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

🎉🎉 Registration now open! 🎉🎉 Two new 18th century gownmaking workshops this autumn: * Sept 19-21: making a sackback gown, aka robe a la francaise. 🥰 * Oct 3-5: making an English gown aka nightgown aka robe a l'Anglaise. 😍 Full details & to book: www.timesmith.co.uk/shop/in-pers...

0266

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

NicDaisy @nicdaisy.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Dutch enamelled gilt metal Needle-case,c. 1700. In the form of a book, the covers with enamelled birds &foliage , set with amethyst cabochons. #Bijoux @ Christies

19322

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

The chintz short sack gown is finished! 🙂 The original is held by Dordrecht Museum. All I had to work from were @monalunasimone.bsky.social 's photos on IG (www.instagram.com/p/B8zVRL_FPjD). Can't wait to wear mine to an event this year. #FashionHistory #18thCentury #Mantuamaker #HistoricalDress

38710

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

I'm building the sleeves for "Mrs Willing's gown", using the sleeve pattern & construction techniques from a silk fitted back gown owned by The School of Historical Dress, published in 'Patterns of Fashion 6'. I really love this shape! #fashionhistory #dresshistory #materialculture

Robert Feke, Anne Shippen Willing, 1746, oil on canas. Winterthur Museum, 1969.0134 A.

2336

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

As the February theme for Explore Your Archive is Love, we'll take a look at various ways the late 18th century caricaturist George Woodward put love in his work. To begin with, here is his sweet sketch of 'The Bashful Lovers'. #EYALove #18thcentury #19thcentury #art #ExploreYourArchive

A coloured drawing featuring a young couple seated on chairs slightly turned away from each other. They are shyly looking at each other. The title of the drawing is 'Symptoms of Love sketch the 6th' and it is dated July, 5th, 1785. The text underneath reads 'The Bashful Lovers. My love he was a bashful boy | And I a simple girl to see | Yet I was Jemmy's only joy | And Jemmy was the lad for me. (Comic Opera of Fontainebleu).

05617

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Victoria Haddock @vickyhaddock.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Anna Ioannovna, Empress of Russia, was born #OnThisDay in 1693. For her coronation in 1730, she wore a brocade and silk gown embellished with silver-gilt lace and braid. The train could be raised via a system of cords. Kremlin Museums collection. #fashionhistory #royalfashion

1341

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Cassidy Percoco @mimicofmodes.com · 07/02/2025

We made it to Footwear Friday! This toddler's shoe is broadly dated by the V&A to 1450-1550 - an unlikely survivor from the Middle Ages. collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O107715... 🗃️🪡

A tiny mary-jane style leather shoe with a flat sole.

314624

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Progress on my chintz short sack: making and attaching pleated strips of self fabric as trim. Photo on the right is the extant gown held by Dordrecht Museum, taken by @monalunasimone.bsky.social. #18thC #18thCentury #DressHistory #FashionHistory #chintz #TextileHistory #Mantuamaker

2303

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

I'm planning a gown making workshop in Scotland later this year. Need to find a classroom to hire! #ThrowbackThursday to making this long #sackgown at Paxton House nearly 2 years ago - fantastic place for a photoshoot afterwards! #dresshistory #fashionhistory #18thcentury #mantuamaking #TBT

3686

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Exquisite work by Sarah Thursfield -- as usual! 😍

060

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Wonderful bobbles (? tassles?) on this early 19th c. pelisse. Lovely colour, too.

140

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Absolutely gorgeous textile elevates a deceptively simple design. I do love just how subtly different from English styles this is.

190

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

UHIHistory.bsky.social @uhihistory.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

📣 CALL FOR PAPERS 📣 REMRA is hosting its 1st interdisciplinary conference on Northern Narratives! To register your interest, please contact the conference team (remra@uhi.ac.uk) by 21 Feb 2025. For info, see below ⬇️ or visit bit.ly/4arhSwx @uhiarchaeology.bsky.social @thinkuhi.bsky.social

REMRA is excited to host its first multidisciplinary conference from 11 to 13 June 2025 to discuss its exciting research with academic colleagues in the field. We therefore invite papers in the following categories:

Early Modern Warfare in the North Atlantic/ Baltic
Early Modern Culture/ Archaeology in the North Atlantic
Early Modern Public History
Early Modern Communities and Identities

Keynote speakers include Dr Lucy Dean (UHI), Professor Mark Elliot (UHI) and Dr Simon Burton (University of Edinburgh), Professor Mark Gardiner (University of Lincoln) and Professor Steve Murdoch (Swedish Defence University, Visiting Professor UHI).

11922

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Clare Downham @downham.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

For more on the Flusco Pike hoard #cumbria Here is one of the brooches which has a futhark #runic inscription on the back of the hoop and some doodles on the terminals including runes and a cross. Note the rather nifty beasties joining terminal & hoop, c.930 #medievalsky

24710

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Jens Notroff @jensnotroff.com · 17/01/2025

Archaeologists baffled by headline suggesting they're shocked by major new analysis confirming long-discussed (deep) historic social phenomenon. 😲😱🙄 🏺 www.independent.co.uk/news/science... via @the-independent.com

independent.co.uk

Archaeologists shocked to discover first women-centric community in Europe

Scientists analysed DNA from a set of burial grounds in Dorset

9438124

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Daniel Bellingradt @dbellingradt.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

Coffee, anyone? The year is 1761 and this boy is carefully serving coffee to the workers in an #earlymodern print shop. (1/2)

A detail from an etching of 1761 showing a boy serving coffee. The full image is titled "Der Buchdrucker".
Source: http://kk.haum-bs.de/?id=j-w-meil-ab3-0040

524544

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

Done... but not done! I have finished building my chintz short sack gown, but the extant it is based on has some lovely trim, so that's coming next. The "flap" in the robings will get fixed as I attach trimmings, and I might re-set the pleats over the hips... #18thC #FashionHistory #Mantuamaker

4452

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Routledge History Research @routledgehistory.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Calling all #skystorians! Tell us your favourite Routledge History book from 2024 and we’ll pick one lucky person to win a Routledge book of their choice. Reply using the hashtag #Routledgehistory by 16th December 2024. We will then pick a winner out of a figurative hat on 17th December!

4175

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

"The historian scoffs when I ask if such insight is well paid. “Are you mad?! I’m not a lawyer, none of this is lucrative,” she says." My wonderful colleague Amanda Vickery on the work of the historical consultant. www.theguardian.com/film/2024/no...

theguardian.com

When historians and directors clash: ‘Ridley Scott was Napoleonic – there was no doubt who was in charge’

Film and TV have a slippery relationship with the truth when it comes to historical epics. So spare a thought for the historical experts whose advice often goes unheeded

25310

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Alasdair @timetravellingscot.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Going to kick off my Bluesky experience with a blog post I wrote back in May for Museums and Galleries Edinburgh, on some of their amazing early modern collection! www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/stories/volu...

edinburghmuseums.org.uk

A Volunteer's View of the 17th Century

The week of 3rd June 2024 is Volunteers Week, a time we come together to recognise and celebrate the enormous contribution our army of volunteers make to our museums, galleries and collections. In thi...

073

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Rosemary Griggs @ragriggsauthor.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

At first glance I thought this was a painting. Zoom in to see the stitchwork. National Trust Cotehele @CoteheleNT #textiletuesday #embroidery

2362

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

The Material Culture of Wills Project @materialwills.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Sixteenth-century wills and material culture in the news!

24310

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Prof. Elaine Chalus @profelainechalus.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

I will be one of the three guests discussing the Hanoverian Succession tomorrow morningn on 'In Our Time' on BBCR4. Looking forward to hearing the programme! #skystorians #c18th www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

bbc.co.uk

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Hanoverian Succession

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the politics that led to the coronation of George I.

33519131

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

"Madame Dangé faisant des nœuds" by Louis Tocqué (Louvre, Accession No. RF 1480). What a large knotting shuttle! All the lace and how it's worn makes me think 1760s but I'm not finding a firm date for this painting - anyone know more? #FashionHistory #18thC #C18 #18C #DressHistory #ArtHistory 🗃️🪡

191

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Here's another very cool #18thC candlestick.

052

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

BSECS @bsecs.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

We are delighted to be able to offer the BSECS/Georgian Papers fellowship again this year. £1,000 to support a project drawing on the papers of the Georgian Papers Programme. **DEADLINE 1 FEBRUARY 2025** #18thC #skystorians 🗃️ #history www.bsecs.org.uk/prizes-and-a...

bsecs.org.uk

Prizes and awards Archive - BSECS

04444

Rebecca Olds @rebeccaolds.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Very cool candlesticks of enamel, which I've not seen before.

040

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

J. L. Bell @boston1775.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

#18thc and the memories of it:

083

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

The Wisdom Pedlars, Antiquarian Book Auctions @wisdompedlars.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

HISTORY LOYAL TOWN of RIPPON 1733 YORKSHIRE Gent WOODCUTS Studley Park LEEDS #books #antiquarian #18thcentury #history #Rippon #Yorkshire #Leeds #Wakefield #Beverley #woodcuts #poem #bookauction bit.ly/4hWgXrj

092

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Richard Ansell @richardjansell.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

My edition of four travel journals by 18th-c servants is out now, including accounts of France, Italy, the Low Countries, Germany and the Ottoman Empire by three valets and a maid – the majority of people who went on the 'Grand Tour' #skystorians #18thc #c18th global.oup.com/academic/pro...

Green cover of the book 'Servants Abroad: Travel Journals by British Working People, 1765–1798'. The image shows an 18th-century caricature of a male servant carrying books and wine.

55813227

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Duygu Yıldırım @duyguyildirim.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

This book came out in 2018, but I just discovered it. Sharing for fellow botany enthusiasts!

1125

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Roxane Gay @roxanegay.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

This obsession is unhealthy. Our horizons are fine. Also social media, for most, is not a job. It is not school. It is socializing. And it’s fine to say “I don’t want to hang out with Nazis, homophobes, transphobes etc in my free time.”

20275831665

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Zane Schacht - Voice Goblin @voicesbyzane.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

The "bluesky is an echo chamber" think pieces that keep popping up really tickle me because they show how certain people genuinely believe social media should be for debating and arguing and not talking about the things that make you happy and sharing art with the world.

19658112213921

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 22/11/2024

Yes. Internships are work. Pay for work. Unpaid internships are a way the upper class restricts entry to and early networking inside professional fields because poor and working class students can't afford to do them. Your internship gives class credit? Fuck you. Pay your interns.

27939147

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Dr Bryony Coombs @bryonycoombs.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

My favourite class today where we spend time studying the magnificent manuscript collection at Edinburgh's CRC. I have set manuscripts that we look at, but every year I also call up a wild card - this year it was this extraordinary Flemish Book of Hours (MS 312) - such a 💎

2444

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Courtney (Dr. Version) @cakrolik.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

I asked an intro to medieval class on the last day “you may never take a history class again, but what can you take away from this class to the rest of your studies and career?” And their responses were awesome.

4565

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Cassidy Percoco @mimicofmodes.com · 20/11/2024

Trying to do research on Oneonta dressmakers with a town directory (1889-1890) - a bunch of people have "r r s" after their name. Anybody know what that's about? 🗃️

663

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Nic Terrenato @terrenato.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Come dig with us at Gabii

11812

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Cassidy Percoco @mimicofmodes.com · 10/11/2024

Joining in on the fun and making a starter pack for fashion and textile history. It's pretty small right now, but I'm hoping the community will grow! If you're an academic in the field, a living historian, someone who blogs about the subject - comment to be added! go.bsky.app/NX5duX8

6122880

Reposted by Rebecca Olds

Jennie Batchelor @jenniebatchelor.bsky.social · 09/11/2024

Hi folks. Please request an add/share/like to join the Material Culture starter pack! go.bsky.app/GARWutv

12224799