Historical dress patterns

Publications by The School of Historical Dress, including the series Patterns of Fashion originally produced by Janet Arnold

‘Time to think of the cool, sweet mornings and their gowns of crisp figured lawn; time to think of the drowsy afternoons with their hammock dresses of voile taffeta, mull and batiste; time to think of the summer evenings and their veilings, their silvered chiffons, their wonderful tissues and their transparencies. Time to think of … Continue reading Edwardian Lingerie Dress →

Do you want to make your own historical costumes on a budget? These are my 8 tips on how to get started in historical costuming!

Purchase McCall's 7885 Misses' Costume and read its pattern reviews. Find other Costumes, sewing patterns.

Ok so you’ve this crazy idea in your head that you want to jump into the world of 18th Century living history as an actual participant, but where do you begin? Well before you fire up the Way…

Create the Victorian costume of your dreams with all the available Victorian sewing patterns sold online. Women's sewing patterns for Civil War dresses and ball gowns, Bustle era dresses, Steampunk costumes, SASS riding skirts, blouses, jackets, coats and capes are plentiful. Undergarments such as a period correct corset, bloomers, petticoat and hoop skirt are necessary

Are a fan of historical clothing or attend cosplay events or elaborate balls, you can make your own dress using a Victorian dress patterns. I have included patterns for daily wear as well as formal wear.

Inspired by the style of Cotehardie dresses (also known as kirtle) worn in Europe in the 1340s, this floor length fitted gown pattern has a lot of options so you can make it your own! This sewing pattern pack features a 4 panel dress block that can be laced up the front, back, or sides of the dress. Also included is an optional gore panel that can be added to the sides or center seams to provide extra volume to the skirt. The pack also features 3 different sleeve options- a traditional 'S’…

Pattern: Norah Waugh, The Cut of Women's Clothes, Diagram XV "1740 Sack Dress" Fabric: Silk. Plaid, pink and ivory. Cotton batiste. *When choosing fabric, remember that the folds on the front edges of this garment are such that you really must have a fabric that is the same on the back and front (since the "back" of the fabric will be what shows on the folds). If not, you will have to devise a facing of some sort. Size, Unaltered from diagram: 34" Chest, 26" Waist. Sleeves run wide for the…

How to make Empire Dress and free pattern paper.