by Elizabeth Friendship
(c) Batsford 2013
ISBN: 0896762858
$21.00 - $26.00
Every once in awhile there comes a book that changes the shape of historical costuming ever after. One find one's self referring back to a book like this hundreds of times, before, during, and even after a project is completed. So vast is the information contained within a book such as this, that it becomes a go-to source for the myriad questions that arise when working through the construction of a historical costume. Creating Historical Clothes: Pattern cutting from Tudor to Victorian times
The Pros:
Creating Historical Clothes: Pattern cutting from Tudor to Victorian times
The book starts with some serious lessons in basic pattern manipulation, detailing with description and diagram how to moved darts, flare skirts, adjust necklines, alter sleeves, and draft pants (to name just a few of the lessons). Then it moves on to period-specific patterning, building on the lessons learned earlier in the book.
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Each chapter covers period-specific patterning. Here on the left is a shaped sleeve with mariner cuffs, from the 18th c. - I wish I'd had this when I was doing the sleeves for my wedding gown. |
One of the major strengths of this book is that you use your own measurements to draft these patterns. These are not gridded patterns made from original garments, or to a single size, so the resulting clothing you make should fit you precisely. It does involve math, measuring, and the ever-dreaded mock-up(s), but the idea is to draft a specific pattern from the get-go, instead of correcting an ill-fitting one.
The Cons:
The book is intense. It is very much for costumers who are ready to draft their own patterns, and can make sense of the information. To beginners, the book will be overwhelming, though I do think it is helpful in advising how to alter existing patterns - for instance, enlarging a sleeve, or removing darts from a pattern.
Conclusion:
Creating Historical Clothes: Pattern cutting from Tudor to Victorian times
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Sleeves are often the trickiest part for costumers (I know they are for me). Here you can see clear diagrams on how to create shaped sleeves for the 18th c. |
This one's going on my "I really want it!" list! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love her ( I already own the "gentlemens edition" of this book, and it's great).
ReplyDeleteWill putt this on my "must have" list.
Thanks for the review! I've been curious about this book - I've been making muslins & my own patterns for a few years now, but I actually find it easier to draft patterns than drape. I just don't have a good system for doing it yet. This might help fill that gap in my understanding :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the detailed review. Sounds like a great source and helpful book.
ReplyDeleteI have already worked with E.Friendship's book on men's garments and it was of such avail. It was crucial to read the whole book, because a lot of steps needed preparations, which were described in a prior chapter, but it was totally worth the effort. I've sucessfully assembled a lovely frock that fits like a glove!
Sabine
I had been curious about this book for a long time, but now I'm really considering buying it. Looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds really cheap for these prices, too!
ReplyDeleteThis look fascinating; I have used the men's book which is brilliant. I don't build that much women's clothing, but I'll bet this would really be wonderful when I would need it.
ReplyDeleteI would be curious to know how the 16th century clothing drafted and made using Ms. Friendship's book compare with the garments drafted using "The Tudor Tailor". That being said, if I had a large costume book budget, I'd put this one on my list even though my interests center on earlier time periods, because it sounds like a good book for learning to draft historical clothing patterns in general.
ReplyDeleteHi! Loved your review! I have been interested in this book for a while, but wasn't sure what to expect! It sounds fantastic, so I have just bought it! 🙂
ReplyDelete