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Imported custom-made clothes were usually beyond the financial reach of the average middle-class American woman of a century ago; and store-bought garments were often of inferior quality. This left many women with the options of making their own clothes or hiring a seamstress. While a number of economy-minded women did sew simple housedresses, and clothing for their children, many took favorite fashion plates to a dressmaker who would often consult patterns in a magazine such as The Voice of Fashion . This book, compiled by costume authority Kristina Harris, painstakingly reprints a rich selection of scaled dressmakers' patterns of the 1890s, taken from rare issues of that popular, late-19th century dressmaker's journal. Featuring such fashion elements as leg-o'-mutton sleeves, high-collared necklines, long skirts, and pinched waistlines, the collection includes nearly 500 patterns and illustrations detailing 50 garments for women. Every wardrobe necessity for the Victorian lady is covered โ from nightgowns and wrappers for boudoir and breakfast, a riding habit and tennis outfit, to walking dresses for town and visiting, elegant dinner dresses, and elaborate evening gowns. An introduction and brief instruction for using the patterns are also included in a volume that will not only find practical use among costume designers and students of fashion history, but will also delight browsers, Victorian enthusiasts, and anyone intrigued by the evolution of clothing styles. 498 illustrations. Review: a must - This arrived right on time. I like this book for its record of a specific and narrow time in fashion history. The patterns given are clear and I see no difficulties in enlarging then to full scale. This book is a must for the home dressmaker and student of fashion history alike. Review: Victorian Fashion - The pattern illustrations in this book are magnificent as are the instructions on how to draft up the patterns to fit as a tailor made garment. This book has turned out to be everything that I had hoped it would be and more. As someone who would consider herself to be intermediate in her sewing skills at best and completely new to drafting patterns, it was clear enough for me to attempt the drafting process almost immediately after reading the instructions on "how to". Thoroughly recommend this book.
| Best Sellers Rank | #781,448 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #110 in Antique & Collectible Textiles & Costumes #1,110 in Fashion Craft #1,385 in Fashion Design |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 448 Reviews |
M**E
a must
This arrived right on time. I like this book for its record of a specific and narrow time in fashion history. The patterns given are clear and I see no difficulties in enlarging then to full scale. This book is a must for the home dressmaker and student of fashion history alike.
K**Y
Victorian Fashion
The pattern illustrations in this book are magnificent as are the instructions on how to draft up the patterns to fit as a tailor made garment. This book has turned out to be everything that I had hoped it would be and more. As someone who would consider herself to be intermediate in her sewing skills at best and completely new to drafting patterns, it was clear enough for me to attempt the drafting process almost immediately after reading the instructions on "how to". Thoroughly recommend this book.
M**S
No Rulers But Great Book
I love this book. My only disappointment is that it does not come with the proportionate rulers needed to scale the drawings. The introduction makes no reference to the rulers, nor does it say where to get them or explains what they are/look like. It assumes you already know or have them. I learned what they were from searching the internet trying to figure how to use the patterns. Once I found out what I needed I purchased The Edwardian Modiste, which included the rulers and was good to go. The patterns are awesome and fairly easy to read, takes some getting used to since they aren't like commercial patterns we use today.
R**L
Accurate and Fascinating
This is a great resource for anyone who is interested in sewing, costuming, or historical clothing. The patterns inside are to scale, so make sure that you have advanced knowledge of sewing before undertaking this project. But, the history and patterns are very accurate and fascinating!
J**R
Very informative! Great Customer Service!
This book was very informative. The patterns were very detailed and they gave a very instructive look at how Victorian ladies dressed . The only criticism I had was I wish the fashion plates were colored so I could more readily envision what the finished dresses looked like. the book, however was just as described and I really should not complain as the book was not described as having colored pages. I did mention to the seller that I wished they had mentioned the pages were not in color and they replied. with a very nice note and they refunded my purchase price which I thought was very generous of them. Good Customer Service! I would not hesitate to order books from them again.
H**Y
I really like the book
I love the dresses in here and even though I'm super bad at pattern scaling, I love all the dresses in the book. I would give it a 10/10 I would for sure recommend
E**N
Great collection of authentic Victorian sewing patterns!
You will have to have some knowledge of drafting to use these patterns. But still a great book with great patterns! Not for beginners or novice sewists but you can definitely learn how to draft by googling or watching videos on YouTube!
E**H
Great resource for Victorian dress.
Man, I adore this book. Very clear instructions and a bit of history. I've learned a lot, and I've only made two things from it!
C**B
Lovely book
Bought for son doing Fashion Design degree. He loves it as it will help him think about making pattern for his final collection.
C**Z
Un excelente resumen y guia
Sencillamente genial, referencias de como desarrollar las prendaa y cada parte. Efectivamente se necesitan conocimientos de patronaje pero tambien sirve como herramienta sobre el tipo de vestuario y las partes de que se componen. Recomendado.
J**B
Delivered quickly well within the time frame given.
This product is exactly as described and just what I wanted. Good price and quick delivery.
M**Y
BEAUTIFUL BOOK
Nel libro trovate i pattern vittoriani originali da seguire per riprodurre i capi di abbigliamento tipici dell'epoca, a mia sorella sarta รจ piaciuto tantissimo! In the book you find original victorian patterns to follow to sew your favourite dresses from the era, my sewing sister is loving it!
A**T
I love the history and pictures.
I used this only as a guideline to make doll clothes as I can pattern draft I just needed a bit of historical guidance.
Trustpilot
2 months ago
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