15 Century sewing patterns

[spongyDan]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone knew of some good sewing patterns for 15 century men's clothing or where some could be obtained from?

If a thread already exists pertaining this information I apologies for the inconvenience of having a repeating thread, I have searched for them but I have not found any.

Thank you for any replies.

[wulfenganck]

There are traders that sell patterns, but especially men's clothing for the 15th ct requires some work of your own to adjust any pattern to the special geometric challenges of your body;-)
Lots of patterns I've seen don't work as they are made with a (modern) general distinction (like small, medium,. large size). That doesn't work for a accurate replica.

If you're into french, flemish or burgundian fashion, I recommend this: http://www.companie-of-st-george.ch/cms/?q=en/Clothing_Guide_Downloadreplic.
I definitely recommend Sarah Thurston's Medieaval Tailor's Assistant, as this book explains how to makle your own pattern. It may be outdated for some details or concerning the regional differences in style, but it's still a tremendous tool.

[Alice the Huswyf]

Buy or order thorugh the library a copy of "The Medieval Tailor's Assistant - making common garments 1200 - 1500" by Sarah Thursfield (Ruth Bean Publishers ISBN 0-903585-32-4)

older books which still hold good

and I also rather like "Medieval Costume and How to recreate it" by Dorothy Hartley (by Dover ISBN 0-486-42985-7 )for working clothes: her sketches are good without a heavy own-time overlay and includes photographs of her recreations on people

"Medieval Costume in England and France - the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries" - Mary G Huston - (Dover ISBN 0-486-29060-3) good reference - again with little own-time overlay, but be aware that French and English fashions varied greatly.

and to a lesser extent for an wider overview "Medieval Costume and Fashion" by Herbert Norris - (Dover ISBN 0-486-40486-2) as he applies a 1927 overlay more strongly than the other authors but covers civil ecclesiastical working and high status clothing. If you have an overview of the whole societal/status approach it makes pitching your own clothing easier.

All still available in reprint - some even second hand although I gather that the Sarah Thursfield is not easy to source at present.

The best ways to make up clothes for this period is making a pattern on your own body, but if using ready made patterns I still make up a toile as a practice run for fitting and then take it apart and use that for the pattern. That is why I now never throw away any bedsheets or duvet covers - especially when working with good or expensive cloth

PLEASE NOTE THOUGH - English fashions are doing entirely their own thing during these periods, so don't just go and choose a random European look : influences alter by reign and diplomatic involvement

http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/ - good range of their patterns stocked here in the UK by Paul Meekins http://www.paulmeekins.co.uk/patterns/patternsindex.htm

or Harper house to see the range available from many makers (by period) http://www.longago.com/

and the Greater Bay Area Costumer's Guild review section to see how easy the patterns are or aren't to work with http://www.gbacg.org/great-pattern-review/index.html

[Colin Middleton]

If you're having problems getting hold of The Medieval Tailor's Assistant, please let Sarah know. She can be contacted through her website (http://www.sarahthursfield.com).

Many thanks

Colin

[Captain Reech]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Medieval-Ta ... 832&sr=1-1

Amazon UK don't have it in stock but list a number of sellers who do (or are advertising that they do!)

[Redders]

http://www.abebooks.co.uk can be useful if you're trying to locate specific books.
Quite often cheaper than other mainstream suppliers too.

Worth a look if you're stuck.

[Cilean]

Hello

I don't know if you have checked out www.reconstructinghistory.com she has both male & female. They have 14th and 15th Century patterns!

[Mark Griffin]

depending on how late your clothing needs to be you might also try http://www.tudortailor.com/bookshoptt.shtml

[Colin Middleton]

Sarah Thursfield (http://www.sarahthursfield.com) also does patterns for earlier stuff, but only for children and accessories (such as hats). She doesn't do patterns for adult's garments because they should be fitted to the individual, not a 'generic' shape.

[Alice the Huswyf]

In which case, google Sally Pointer's kirtle pattern C14th - early C15th construction methods.