Historic

Understanding Tailoring Traditions of Yesterday for Tomorrow: A Comparative Analysis of Keister’s Ladies’ Tailoring System for Modern Implementation

---

Abstract

According to domestic expert, Eliza Farrar, in 1838, sewing was a more critical skill for a woman than reading.  In a society that paid attention to such ideas, it is easy to imagine the desire to create a system to assist the woman in this truly feminine employment.  One such system was the Keister’s Ladies Tailoring System, invented in 1894 by J. A. Keister, by which thousands were taught for five decades.   It was boasted as the “best in the West,” for ease of use, most thorough instructions, a superior set of measurements, and a perfect fit.  This study investigated the efficiency of Keister’s Ladies’ Tailoring System against two early twentieth-century and two late twentieth-century drafting systems.  A comparative analysis was conducted on the measurements, drafting process, and fit of muslins.  The results showed that Keister was as efficient as claimed and had potential for reintroduction into the modern classroom.  

Keywords: Pattern Drafting, Tailoring, Dressmaking, Fit, Education

How to Cite:

Spotts, C. R. & Zhang, L., (2025) “Understanding Tailoring Traditions of Yesterday for Tomorrow: A Comparative Analysis of Keister’s Ladies’ Tailoring System for Modern Implementation”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21615