Creating Historical Clothes: Pattern Cutting from Tudor to Victorian Times

Wonderful costuming resource! I have always wanted a historical flat-pattern drafting book, and this is IT! The clear and detailed instructions allow me to draft customized patterns with accuracy and ease. This is so much better than books that have simple shapes on a small grid.In addition to the drafting instructions, the author has provided historical tailoring and finishing techniques. Thank you Elizabeth Friendship!

Disappointingly, all the patterns in the book are based off of ONE basic bodice block. To me, judging from personal experience with both modern and historic sewing, it looks like a pretty modern shape. There are directions on how to alter this modern-shaped bodice into several historic styles, but it doesn't quite get that truly historic look.The method described is flat patterning, which uses lots of lines, lots of math, lots of paper. It can feel overly complex and cumbersome if you've never used it. She does a pretty tidy job of it, but beware if you are used to draping or other more free-form methods.There is no fitting information. You are on your own for fitting. I suppose because the focus is the pattern cutting, not fit or construction. With a patterning book, I didn't expect construction info, but the complete lack of direction on how the patterns should look and fit was disappointing. Yes, if you study historic sources, you can piece it together, but I had hoped it would be at hand with the patterns.This book is liberally illustrated, but there are NO photos of the author's work, either as muslin mockups or finished garments. There are plenty of line drawings and pictures of historic sources, but no indication of how these patterns would actually look when made up.To get any use from this book, I would have to use it in conjunction with Sarah Veblen's  The Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting  AND Janet Arnold's  Patterns of Fashion 1: 1660-1860 , and with those two, I really don't need this one.Bottom Line: This might be a useful book for theater or costume purposes, but the serious reenactor or sewist concerned with historic accuracy should skip it.

This is not, strictly speaking, for beginners, though it would still be good to have for when your abilities expand and can serve as an encouragement to take on projects. It can be viewed as a sort of "prototype" book - it gives the basic shapes from which you can then develop your own final garments. Really good descriptions, though in spots a bit light on pictures of what the finished garment would look like - still, very much worth having.

Absolutely fantastic resource! Well written, clear patterns.

Amazing book for all costumers. I loved how it gives you a variety of periods to work with and gives a good starting point from the 16th to late 19th centuries. The instructions were clear and included illustrations.

There are basic pattern drawings to help you construct bodices. sleeves,skirt, corsets and other bits for these time periods. Also color pictures of painting showing these items. I think it helps to give you a better understanding of constructions from these periods.

I really like this book for showing how to alter standard pattern shapes into historical pattern pieces. It's not for a novice, but it is illustrated fairly well.

Has been an extremely helpful book. Not only for my personal sewing ventures, but too help my clients chooses a style that fits them as well!

I found this book to be ideal for the beginner in the making of ‘period’ clothes. Starting with the sort of equipment needed, it goes on to illustrate how to make basic blocks. These include bodices, skirts, sleeves etc. Ms. Friendship then has a chapter for each century. She tells a little of the prevailing fashions and how/why, for example, they may have changed. This is followed with instructions on how to adapt the blocks in order to achieve each costume. Also given are variations in such things as sleeves.

Lovely book... remains constantly out on my desk... always used!! has patterns right from late tudor to edwardian times.... there are very few pictures of the finished garments - but that doesn't annoy me. Brilliant as a starting block for getting the basic look of a period. Of course, if a more specific look is needed, a specialist book will need to be consulted, but all in all, a very worthwhile purchase.

It would have been helpful to have pictures of projects made up from the patterns in this book. Or indeed historical references for all of the patterns - there are quite a few, but not all of the patterns are related back to historical images.Would also like an index of the patterns shown in the book.One word of warning: The patterns produced following the instructions in this book are intended for stage plays, not authentic living history. From that point of view it's a bit disappointing that the structures produced are not 100% as they would have been - but armed with that knowledge from my own research, I was able to further adapt the patterns to produce the designs I wanted.Other than that it's useful, inspiring, helpful, and all in all a good book.

This book contains detailed instructions on how to draft your own basic patterns, and then to use them to create patterns for period clothes to ensure an excellent fit. The instructions are clear and accompanied with explanatory diagrams - however there are very few images of what the finished pattern should look like as a garment, rather than a technical flat pattern. Nevertheless still a must for those interested in making period costumes, and even includes instructions for undergarments such as farthingales, panniers and bustles!

One of the best costume books I've seen, loaded with detail and clear diagrams. Useful standard measurement tables (both metric and imperial), lots of helpful and well presented info on pattern drafting and some historic background on costume of each period. Highly recommended.