Customer Reviews

Period Costume for Stage & Screen: Patterns for Women's Dress 1500-1800

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jean Hunnisett is a well known costumer whose credits include Elizabeth R for BBC television. One goal of the book is to assist the costumer in achieving higher standards of cut, construction and period-feel of the finished garment. The construction methods taught are totally modern and may be suited for film or stage, but not for living history. The scale patterns are well drafted. The outward appearance of the finished costumes has a good period feel, but the end result is not a replica, and a conscientious costumer may want to supplement this book with addition readings in costume history.

Hunniset gives scale patterns of garments that are functional and provide a period sillhouette from the foundation up. The scale is something you have to be careful with, however, because different patterns are drawn on different scales.This book is for the experienced sewer and should be considered a technical manual rather than a research resource but I have not found its equal in clarity, correctness and completeness. I reccomend the whole set!

This is a superb tool for any theatrical designer/period pattern maker! Jean Hunnisett's experience with the BBC is unmatched and this book is the standard of perfection. It's a clearly defined guide for the correct shape and cut of any era of costume, whether it be Tudor or Georgian. The information and tips that she 'unlocks' will give you a total sense of what each garment should look like in complete detail, with outstanding illustrations and descriptions, from the draping process, fitting, constructing, and trimming. Jean Hunnisett is a master in her craft, and her attention to period accuracy is clearly shown in all three books.

When I look at the few period costumes I made (I'm only a beginner), I really think this book helped me to improve my cutting abilities, sewing tips and above all, the authentic period feeling when the garment is worn and moves on stage. Jean Hunnisett tells you what you're expecting to find at the end of your work and helps you to understand the historical background of period costume. This is the only book which explains in detail the draping method over a corset and guides you step-by-step in the construction of the costume but it is sometimes a bit confusing in her sewing instructions and she gives the impression there's only one way to realize something (ex: 18th century corset). Anyway, I learned a lot and she's a very good teacher. (Don't be tempted to enlarge her scaled patterns,it doesn't work very well( too many corrections) and it's easier to make your own patterns by the flat or by draping.)

I received this book as part of a group of textbooks received for my costume design course at FIDM. I used a nice, red, ballpoint pen (this would've been 1990, y'know, before acid/lignin-free - and especially non-bleeding - pens were freely available) to mark out my ten-grid grid. Anyway, I used the Phoenix (Elizabethan or Jacobean) corset pattern to make one of my projects, and it turned out beautifully (if only it still fit me!). I also drafted a Tudor corset from one of the patterns, and we did a panier petticoat from this text as well.

You might say the book is well-loved. Really, really, well-loved.

Which, I would think, goes far in stating how useful this book is, and how much information, especially in the form of period patterns, is available within. I couldn't have done without it, and I don't think anyone else should have to.

This and all the other Jean Hunnisett Period Costume titles can be ordered directly from the publisher, Players Press, Inc., Studio City, CA for ONLY $59.00 each.

Hunnisett's book was recommended to me by other historical costumers, and I in turn would highly recommend it to others looking for the same. Now I'm going to buy her other book too.