This practical and informative guidebook is a "must-have" for anyone planning to create accurate period costumes for theatrical productions and historical reenactments. From short tunics worn by Saxon men in the fifth century to a lady's bustle dress of the late 1800s, this profusely illustrated text contains a wealth of authentic patterns. Information on pattern sizes, materials required, and methods of sewing accompany simply drawn diagrams for Elizabethan doublets, capes, and trunks; a man's coat and vest from the Restoration period; a lady's bell-shaped gown of the eighteenth century; an early-nineteenth-century empire gown; a crinoline; and other wardrobe items.Diagrams have been carefully and accurately drawn to scale from working patterns, and detailed notes for making costumes include suggestions for the most suitable colors and textures to be used for costumes of particular historical periods. A final section includes diagrams and information for creating period headdresses, caps, and hoods. Students of costume design, home tailors, and community drama groups will welcome this carefully researched guide to fifteen centuries of English fashions.

From the headgear of the ancient Greeks and Etruscans to Elizabethan farthingales and modern footwear, this authoritative resource presents a comprehensive history of clothing and accessories. It covers every world culture with 650-plus entries in alphabetical order that define and describe designs, materials, accessories, and manufacturing techniques, placing them in historical perspective and tracing the development of tastes and the recurrence of motifs.More than 2,100 black-and-white drawings include 110 full-page plates of costume drawings, in addition to eight pages of color illustrations. "Amazingly enough, there is an illustration for almost every item," noted Choice magazine, adding, "the text is a model for this type of reference work, a good summary for the knowledgeable and a mine of information for the novice." A detailed index makes it easy to locate garments from any era.

This carefully researched volume offers lovers of both costume and the medieval period a meticulously researched and accurately detailed study of the clothing of the Middle Ages. Following an illuminating discussion of the style and construction of costumes worn in the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries, noted costume historian Mary G. Houston provides detailed descriptions and illustrations of actual apparel worn by all classes and sectors of society. Included are elaborate royal, academic, and legal costumes; Eucharistic vestments and garments of religious orders; working class apparel; civilian dress; and more. Also examined is a wide variety of accessories and ornaments, jewelry, armor, textiles, embroidery, coiffures, and other items.The clear, succinct text is splendidly documented by 350 black-and-white line illustrations based on contemporary books and manuscripts as well as representations in paintings and sculpture. Indispensable for students of costume history, medievalists, illustrators, and fashion historians, Medieval Costume in England and France will delight anyone interested in the medieval period and its dress.

As an early-twentieth-century English artist with an interest in historical subjects, Talbot Hughes began collecting clothing for accuracy in his paintings—and the pursuit grew into a labor of love. His magnificent costume collection was eventually displayed in Harrod's and has become a permanent part of the collection of the venerable Victoria and Albert Museum in London. In this well-researched guide, Hughes traces the evolution of English fashions from the grass-cloth wraps of prehistoric times to the luxurious gowns of the Victorian era. Arranged chronologically and by British reigns, this splendid compilation includes over 300 illustrations of period fashions for men and women and 94 photos of historic garments. Pictured are tunics and tights from the thirteenth century, Elizabethan gowns with starched ruff collars, Charles I cavaliers with lace-collared jackets and breeches, a five-century array of boots and shoes, an assortment of elaborate wigs, embroidered waistcoats, quilted petticoats, plumed headdresses, and other dashing designs of the past. More than a history of British style, it's also a dressmaker's delight, with scaled-down patterns for 67 authentic costumes—a... [Read More]

Sewing Pattern - Period Patterns number 101, Medieval Military Garments. Medieval Military Garments Chain mail and plate armor were very expensive, and economically unfeasible for the average soldier of the Middle Ages. Most had to make do with padded garments. But even those who could afford armor had to wear padded garments underneath for comfort. Other pieces of clothing were designed to be worn over armor for additional protection or as decoration. Some of these garments were designed for civilian as well as military usage. The primary garment for all soldiers was the padded gambeson, worn alone under armor. Surcoats, worn over armor, gave protection from the elements, and could be decorative as well. A coat of plates gave added protection over mail. Padded lentners and angel-wing tunics, both with puffed chests, were worn under breastplates, or alone. Medieval Military Garments, has 3 gambesons, 3 surcoats, 3 hose, 1 codpiece, 1 cuisse, and a renal belt with pockets for plates to protect the kidneys (sizes S-XL). Great for Game of Thrones Costume, Eddard Stark, Sean Bean, Arryn, Baratheon, Greyjoy, Lannister, Stark, Tully, Tyrell, Rickon Stark, Rodrik Cassel, Maester Luwin, Jo... [Read More]