Customer Reviews

Turn-of-the-Century Fashion Patterns and Tailoring Techniques

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In case you're wondering which turn of the century the title refers to, it's the 20th, not the 21st. This is a reprint of the 1901 edition of _The "Standard" Work on Cutting Ladies' Tailor-Made Garments_, by the Jno. J. Mitchell Co. It is a drafting manual and pattern book for women's tailored garments, such as suits and coats. Like most such tailor's drafting books (they were published into the 1940s but died out along with custom tailoring), it gives the most basic patterns for conservative styles. The garment maker was expected to vary the patterns to provide styles beyond the basics and/or update the basics to the season's trends; to provide his/her own trim ideas; and to draft/grade the correct size for the wearer.

This edition is very similar to the 1908 edition of _The "Standard" Work on Cutting Ladies' Tailor-Made Garments_, which also has been reprinted and is available under the title, _Ladies' Tailor-Made Garments 1908_, by S. S. Gordon. The 1908 edition contains many of the same patterns, but was reorganized and enlarged.

If you really like the Edwardian period, this is a good addition to your costuming library. But if you're a beginner I wouldn't recommend it.

Instead of giving you the pattern and the picture of what the pattern will make, it gives you a pattern and a few examples of the kind of garment the pattern will make. For example: it gives lots of pictures of tight fitting jackets, and somewhere later in the book it gives lots of patterns for "tight-fitting jackets"). This means that for each pattern you much have knowledge of the style, tailoring techniques, and most importantly, alteration. This is why it isn't for beginners.

I would first suggest a more straightforward book like The Voice of Fashion: 79 Turn-Of-The Century Patterns By Frances Grimble or The Edwardian Modiste: 85 Authentic Patterns By Frances Grimble. But if you can't get books on Edwardian fashions and patterns, go for it.

I would buy Turn-of-the-Century Fashion Patterns and Tailoring Techniques for three reasons:
1. The clothes in it are really cute
2. it can act as a source book
3. it's great for people who are absolutely IN LOVE with Edwardian clothing, like I am.

This book is very interesting if you sew and like these styles, the book lets you know the patterns and the different techniques in how to see them and put the garment together. I highly suggest this book.

I was looking for patterns for victorian costumes and this book more than fit the bill. You must have more than average knowledge of sewing though.

I thought the patterns came with it, and the book was on techniques for the manufacturing. But you have to enlarge the patterns yourself. Other than that, its a good book if you have the time.

It is a very good book but I missed that in the same page one could find the pattern and the final drawing of the respective dress.