Patterns of Fashion 1: Englishwomen's Dresses & Their Construction C. 1660-1860
by Janet Arnold
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Book Summary Information
Author: Janet ArnoldEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1977-12
ISBN: 089676026X
Number of pages: 76
Publisher: Drama Publishers
Book Reviews of Patterns of Fashion 1: Englishwomen's Dresses & Their Construction C. 1660-1860
Book Review: Quintessential Work of Fashion History
Summary: 5 Stars
Although Janet Arnold is best known as a costumer, she is also a laudable historian and scholar. This book, and its companion volumes, are chock full of primary source information on historic garments and their construction.
The primary feature of Ms. Arnold's books are of course the scaled patterns. By scrupulously copying actual period garments, she has created a faultless roadmap for anyone who wishes to reproduce historic garments and be assured of their authenticity (at least when it comes to the pattern shape). In addition, her notes on the original construction and provenance of the dresses, though sometimes frustratingly brief, offer important insight into the garments.
While most buy Ms. Arnold's book for the patterns, costume historians especially will be interested in the introductory chapters. Here they will find excerpts reproduced from a wide variety of extremely rare period books and manuals of dressmaking. Many of these sources are virtually unavailable elsewhere. Illustrations and pattern samples (not graded) are also reproduced from the same period sources.
The patterns are arranged chronologically, offering one dress every decade or so, depending upon the speed at which fashion was changing during a particular period. The only drawback to this work is that Ms. Arnold, for obvious practical reasons, includes only a single style to represent each time. Therefore, while this is certainly an invaluable work, it should be a jumping off point for further research into the range of styles and decoration that were available during whatever time you are recreating.
To Ms. Arnold's credit, she refrains from editorializing or generalizing historic styles, etc. etc. Instead, her work attains the highest level of scholarship by impartially presenting primary source material in a variety of forms and allowing the reader to set the level of authenticity. Whether you are a hobbyist recreator, a professional costumer, or an academic, this book is a wonderful resource and will surely be treasured for generations to come.
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