Historic Costumes and How to Make Them (Dover Fashion and Costumes) [Paperback]

Mary Fernald (Author), Eileen Shenton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 23, 2006 | Series: Dover Fashion and Costumes

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 and information. 81 illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (June 23, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486449068
• ISBN-13: 978-0486449067
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,457 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Textiles & Costume
  • #73 in Books > Arts & Photography > Fashion

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not for the faint-hearted, July 12, 2007

By 

R. A. Worrall (BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Historic Costumes and How to Make Them (Dover Fashion and Costumes) (Paperback)

This book gives a extremely brief overview of many styles of clothing throughout the last 1200 years. If you are after detailed instructions on how to make medieval clothing, then this book is not for you. However, if you are an accomplished tailor and can work from line drawings, you have the right book.

I did not find this book particularly helpful with how to make the clothing, but it did show me what styles were around.

Be aware that this book gives no measurements nor types of materials used, nor does it assist the serious re-enactor.

This book is aimed, in my opinion, at someone who is planning to attend a fancy dress party and who intends to wear the outfit they make once only.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Experience Necessary..., May 9, 2007

By 

Fabric/Book Addict "Dragon Lady" (Willis, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Historic Costumes and How to Make Them (Dover Fashion and Costumes) (Paperback)

If you're more than a beginning seamstress then everything makes sense and it easy to follow. Gave me a lot of great ideas on how to design and make some SCA garb.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Avoid this book, May 12, 2011

By 

Christine Williams "Christine's thoughts" (Canberra, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Historic Costumes and How to Make Them (Dover Fashion and Costumes) (Paperback)

This book is mistitled - it is designed for people putting on plays rather than those genuinely interested in historic costumes. It contains patterns that are just plain wrong and is full of incorrect information. The whole concept of made-up patterns seems largely pointless to me. Even if you are putting on a school play, why not use the correct cut and construction? The real patterns use much less fabric than the made-up ones in this book and are generally no harder to put together.

On the plus side, I can see that the opening on the use of colour and design to help the audience focus on the important characters would be useful for novices.

However, overall, my recommendation to re-enactors and anyone else interested in authentic costuming is save your money and avoid this book.