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2) Sources Of Historical Costuming Patterns And Supplies p1




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This article is from the Historical Costuming FAQ, by Lara Fabans lfabans@adobe.com with numerous contributions by others.

2) Sources Of Historical Costuming Patterns And Supplies p1

A quick comment on patterns sent to me by someone who is a professional:
Old patterns such as those sold by Campbells, Past Patterns, Folkware, Old
World Ent, Buckarroo Bobbins, etc. are rarely patterns which can be cut out
and sewed, ending up with something that comes even close to fitting.

You had better be prepared to do much pattern work on them first. They
were made to fit peoples bodies in another era, and don't really work
with modern bodies. Day after day I have people call me asking why when
they bought an old pattern and cut and sewed it very carefully it didn't
fit at all!

A Victorian Era pattern in size 9 would be lucky to fit a 5 or 6 today.
None of these pattern companies to my knowledge update their patterns,
they just sell copies of old brown paper patterns. You are almost better
making up a new pattern than trying to make one of those old patterns
work.
(thank you so much to the author from the faq maintainer)

Update: The faq maintainer (me) got a great rebuttal to this which I'll
cut & paste in:
There are definitely some patterns, and indeed whole pattern lines, that
are probably only useful as obscure torture devices of the innocent. But
I have had good results with patterns from Past Patterns, a company
which examines genuine vintage garments and draws up patterns from them
in modern-day sizes. And please be sure to check out the Greater Bay
Area Costumers Guild's "Great Pattern Review," which gives the lowdown
on every pattern any of their members have ever tried. I discovered it
recently and had a great time reading through it--not to mention was
glad I hadn't yet ordered a pattern from a company they thoroughly
despise.

It is important to keep in mind, too, that one MUST wear period
undergarments (particularly corsets) to achieve most post-medieval
period looks and for the clothing to fit right. If one expects
historical patterns to fit a panty-and-bra'd body, one is doomed to
frustration, and if one redrafts them, they may fit, but the end result
still won't look like those old photos/fashion plates/portraits.
Check out http://www.songsmyth.com/costumerscompanion.html
(thank you again so much to the author from me)

 

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