This innovative and breathtakingly detailed book from the V&A presents dress patterns, construction details, embroidery, and making instructions (including a knitting pattern and lacemaking) for 15 garments and accessories from a 17th-century British woman's wardrobe. Step-by-step drawings of the construction sequence and scale patterns for each garment enable readers to accurately reconstruct them. There are scale diagrams for making linen and metal thread laces, silk braids, and embroidery designs. Multiple photographs, close-up construction details, and X-ray photography reveal the hidden elements of the clothes, the number of layers, and the stitches used inside. This first book in a new series takes the physical examination and study of historical clothing to a new depth and degree of detail, using the expertise of designers, tailors, and makers from London's Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.
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About the Author
Susan North is a curator in the V&A Fashion, Textiles and Furniture Department. Jenny Tiramani, Luca Costigliolo, Claire Thornton, Armelle Lucas and Christine Prentis, who produced the patterns for this book, were all members of the wardrobe team at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 44 people found the following review helpful
By P. Boynton
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book answers the cry of many of us: "I want to SEE!"
It was purposely done for the people who want to see enough to try to re-create, and as it is listed as the first of a series of pattern books, I certainly hope they continue!
This book was delivered today, and I am in nose-to-book mode.
There are so many closeups! The construction details are fascinating.
Well, first, they show you pictures of the garment, and then a close portrait from the time period.
For the first one, the Margaret Layton Waistcoat, there are photos from all 4 sides, and then the portrait. Then there are 13 closeup photos of construction details. 16 Photos of the embroidery, and construction details such as a seam covered by double plait stitch.
Then 2 pages showing the embroidery patterns on patterns of the pieces of the garment, on a graph paper background.
3 pages of drawn out construction details.It concludes with one page of how the lace was whipped on, and eyelet holes. Then a last color picture of a closeup of the bobbin lace, and a pattern for it.
Page 34 starts somewhat the same for a Pink Silk Waistcoat, 1610-20, that goes to p47.
Pages 48 to 59, a Linen waistcoat with blackwork embroidery in silk, 1620-25.
Pages 60-69, a Fustian Waistcoat , embroidered with silver thread, 1630s.
Pages 70-87, Slashed ivory silk satin bodice, 1630s (with xrays!)
p88-97, KNITTED silk waistcoat, 1630-1700.
p98-109, Embroidered linen mantle with bobbin lace, 1590.
p110-119, Linen smock with bobbin lace insertion, 1620-40.
p120-123, Linen hood trimmed with English bobbin lace, 1600-1640.
p124-127, Embroidered coif and forehead cloth, 1600-1650.
p128-135, Linen band & cuffs, 1630-35.
p136-141, Embroidered partlet & sleevepanels, 1615-25.
p142-143, Linen kerchief, 1600s.
p144-149, Embroidered linen gloves, 1600-25
p150-159, Embroidered kid gloves.
A wonderful book, that everyone must be able to tell that I recommend.
It was purposely done for the people who want to see enough to try to re-create, and as it is listed as the first of a series of pattern books, I certainly hope they continue!
This book was delivered today, and I am in nose-to-book mode.
There are so many closeups! The construction details are fascinating.
Well, first, they show you pictures of the garment, and then a close portrait from the time period.
For the first one, the Margaret Layton Waistcoat, there are photos from all 4 sides, and then the portrait. Then there are 13 closeup photos of construction details. 16 Photos of the embroidery, and construction details such as a seam covered by double plait stitch.
Then 2 pages showing the embroidery patterns on patterns of the pieces of the garment, on a graph paper background.
3 pages of drawn out construction details.It concludes with one page of how the lace was whipped on, and eyelet holes. Then a last color picture of a closeup of the bobbin lace, and a pattern for it.
Page 34 starts somewhat the same for a Pink Silk Waistcoat, 1610-20, that goes to p47.
Pages 48 to 59, a Linen waistcoat with blackwork embroidery in silk, 1620-25.
Pages 60-69, a Fustian Waistcoat , embroidered with silver thread, 1630s.
Pages 70-87, Slashed ivory silk satin bodice, 1630s (with xrays!)
p88-97, KNITTED silk waistcoat, 1630-1700.
p98-109, Embroidered linen mantle with bobbin lace, 1590.
p110-119, Linen smock with bobbin lace insertion, 1620-40.
p120-123, Linen hood trimmed with English bobbin lace, 1600-1640.
p124-127, Embroidered coif and forehead cloth, 1600-1650.
p128-135, Linen band & cuffs, 1630-35.
p136-141, Embroidered partlet & sleevepanels, 1615-25.
p142-143, Linen kerchief, 1600s.
p144-149, Embroidered linen gloves, 1600-25
p150-159, Embroidered kid gloves.
A wonderful book, that everyone must be able to tell that I recommend.
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By Quo Primum
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
From the description, the book looked promising. Now that I can enjoy turning the pages, I am delighted. These patterns run from very basic for beginners to finely detailed and embroidered works of art for skilled tailors. And the patterns are for sewing actual garments! Such an exquisite opportunity to share in history. The patterns also include bobbin lace patterns for fine laces, and make that skill tempting to acquire.
Another wonderful attribute of this book is the layout for each patterns... It shows a garment from their collection, then they show that garment or another similar in a painting from that period being worn. Is some cases, x-rays show the layers of construction. Fascinating! Then ensue the detailed instructions and diagrams for creating that garment. The book also provides handy stitch guides to teach how to create the various seams as well as the embroidery stitches.
This is terrific and I can't wait for the next pattern book of this kind that Victoria and Albert museum promises in the introduction is in the works! I waited nearly six months for this book to come out, and based on this one, would gladly wait that long for the next.
Happy sewing!
Another wonderful attribute of this book is the layout for each patterns... It shows a garment from their collection, then they show that garment or another similar in a painting from that period being worn. Is some cases, x-rays show the layers of construction. Fascinating! Then ensue the detailed instructions and diagrams for creating that garment. The book also provides handy stitch guides to teach how to create the various seams as well as the embroidery stitches.
This is terrific and I can't wait for the next pattern book of this kind that Victoria and Albert museum promises in the introduction is in the works! I waited nearly six months for this book to come out, and based on this one, would gladly wait that long for the next.
Happy sewing!
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is more than I was expecting. The cover doesn't even do it justice (I wish there were interior preview pictures of the book). I waiting three months for this book (ordered it on pre-order) and it was worth the wait. There are pictures of cut, info on construction techniques, x-rays of the layers (the real reason I got the book) and even knitted waistcoats!
And its book one, which means we have more to look forward to!
And its book one, which means we have more to look forward to!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
X-ray critique
Seventeenth garments are unlike todays garments, so x-rays of the garment easily show us how the clothes were "put together".
Published 2 months ago by Barbara J Gosh
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
I've spent a lot of time paging through and reading various chapters in this book. What I found reassuring and amusing is that even back in the day, pins were accidently left in... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Noel C. Borden
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing new view of clothes
This book consists of photos and X-rays of extant garments from the 17th century, providing an interesting view into the clothes and how they are constructed. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Rowan Cota
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantiastic Patterns
Made it so easy for me to construct women's clothing from this period. I have made several of the period pieces for large French dolls as examples and it gave me a clear... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Bodicia
5.0 out of 5 stars
I want to see inside!
I have studied all your reviews and am intrigued by this book. However, the cover is awful--as you have commented--and with no "Look Inside This Book" feature or anyone putting... Read more
Published 14 months ago by needle worker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Seventeenth-Century Women's Dress Patterns: Book 1
Seventeenth-Century Women's Dress Patterns is a GREAT book. It has lots of information, that is beautifully illustrated. It shows patterns for clothing for the Medieval Period. Read more
Published 19 months ago by carol
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Perfect Companion
This is the perfect companion to Janet Arnold's books. Both books cover many of the same garments. Arnold's books detail the actual garment and this book details how the garment... Read more
Published 19 months ago by A Student
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Resource, Excellent Read
I started reading this book last week and can't put it down. Even though I re-create the 1600's, I study textiles from all Medieval & Renaissance periods, making it well worth the... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Jennifer Ratcliffe
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