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.

Historic Costumes and How to Make Them (Dover Fashion and Costumes)

Arts & Photography

Fernald, Mary

Shenton, Eileen

History & Criticism

Dover Publications

Historic Costumes: A Guide to Making Them

This practical guide to historical costume is essential for anyone planning to create accurate period costumes for theatrical productions or historical reenactments. From the short tunics of Saxon men of the fifth century to a lady's bustle dress of the late nineteenth century, this richly illustrated work offers an abundance of authentic patterns. Details of pattern sizes, required materials, and sewing methods accompany simple diagrams for Elizabethan doublets, capes, and trunks; a coat and vest from the Restoration; a bell-shaped gown of the eighteenth century; an early nineteenth-century empire gown; a crinoline; and many other items.
 Diagrams are accurately drawn to scale from working patterns, and there are suggestions for the most suitable colors and textures for costumes of different historical periods. Students of costume design, tailors, and community theater groups will welcome this carefully researched guidebook to fifteen centuries of English costume.

Graphic Design

Greenpoint Books, LLC

Create Accurate Historical Costumes and Clothing for Theater and Reenactments 
Successful stage productions and engaging historical reenactments rely on effective costuming to sell their illusions. Choosing the correct design, shape, cut, and color of clothing worn by actors helps to establish a show's authenticity and portray its important themes. To this end, Mary Fernald and Eileen Shenton's esteemed Historic Costumes and How to Make Them: A Practical Handbook serves as critical resource for bringing performances to life. 
With basic, easy-to-read descriptive explanations and cutting diagrams, this classic costuming guide covers more than fourteen hundred years of English clothing and fashions for men and women, from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century. The apparel of each period is summarized, followed by a robust section of simple line drawings of selected garments, with plenty of tips on the cut, stitching, sewing methods, pattern sizes, and construction of the pieces, plus suggestions for the most suitable, era-appropriate colors and textures to use for particular lighting and visual effects. The authentic styles and outfits depicted range from plain tunics worn by Saxon men in the fifth century to fancy woman's bustle dress of the late 1800s. Other specific items include Elizabethan doublets, capes, and trunks; medieval and Renaissance garb; a man's coat and vest from the Restoration period; an eighteenth-century bell-shaped gown; a lady's empire gown of the early nineteenth century; a crinoline; and simple period pieces such as headdresses, caps, and hoods. Also included is a broad overview of historic costuming, as well as a suggested reading list about the history of costumes. This is an invaluable book for the library of any devoted costume maker, historical reenactment actor, or theater wardrobe designer.

Echo Point Books & Media, LLC

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