When we heard that British Pathé, which maintains seventy years worth of historic news reels, uploaded 85,000 videos to YouTube this week, we had to search the archives for sewing-themed video gems. Here are some of our favorites. Steel yourself for some unfortunate gender stereotyping, but if you can get through that, you can learn how to sew a dress from two scarves and a bra from handkerchiefs.

Dresses From Scarves (1952) – In only an hour.

How to Make a Bra from Two Handkerchiefs, 1921 [HD] – You go, girl!

Her Majesty’s Sewing Bee (1939) – The royal household pitches in to help the Red Cross and the troops.

Scarf Wear (1944) – OK, this isn’t a sewing video, strictly speaking, but we lurve it.