Patterns of Fashion: The Cut and Construction of Clothes for Men and Women C1560-1620 [Paperback]

Janet Arnold (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Drama Pub (May 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896760839
• ISBN-13: 978-0896760837
• Product Dimensions: 14.3 x 10.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > Arts & Photography > Design & Decorative Arts > Textile & Costume

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for any professional costumer of period clothing., May 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Patterns of Fashion: The Cut and Construction of Clothes for Men and Women C1560-1620 (Paperback)

I liked Ms Arnold's book so well that I received the entire set of her books from my daughter. As a professional costumer I found the construction of the choosen garments in her book more for the experienced sewer rather than a beginner. There are construction notes to help, but they are very difficult to understand if you have limited sewing experience. Also, notes dealing with the finer details on each pattern such as embroidery, edging, and fabrics are given for those of use who are looking for recreating each garment as worn. I might add that each pattern is on a grid to make it easier to enlarge for any size. Pictures of each piece, plus a painting, if possible, is all so part of this informative series of books.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have Book For Any 16th Century Costumer, June 18, 2002

By 

S. Goodman (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Patterns of Fashion: The Cut and Construction of Clothes for Men and Women C1560-1620 (Paperback)

Once again, Janet Arnold has firmly reinforced her position at the top of the world of historical costume research. Housed within the pages of this book is some of the most invaluable research in the field of 16th century costuming. Arnold examines extant clothing of 16th century nobility and drafts the pattern pieces in detail. Rare photographs of these garments, as well as detailed shots of seams, linings, and stitching and fabric close-ups makes this book one of the most important in the field of historical costuming. Patterns are given for the garments examined, but be aware, they are not sized. Some knowledge of pattern drafting, or access to an enlarger of some kind will be needed if you want to take a pattern from this book and make it fit a human being. But don't let that discourage you! The information within this book is priceless and for any die-hard 16th century enthusiast, it is perhaps the best book available on the subject.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for anyone interested in 16th Century costume, October 19, 1998

By 

"r0byn" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Patterns of Fashion: The Cut and Construction of Clothes for Men and Women C1560-1620 (Paperback)

This book would have to be described as "the bible" of late 16th century costuming. It is a goldmine for anyone interested in the actual creation of garments of the period.

I would not be without my copy; I actually own two, so I can lend one out without having to be without it.

The only flaws are that it is incomplete, lacking much of the undergarments of the period, and that there are a few mistakes in some of the patterning, which can have interesting results... certainly make a toile of the garments first, but generally this book is a gem.

Note: this book assumes that the prospective sewer has quite an advanced skill in sewing; if you can't sew without instructions, you might find it challenging, and you need to expand the patterns up from the scaled down illustrations