Basic Patterns
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his basic list of patterns was
taken from the LHC RPFN93 handout on costuming.
These are standard patterns which are close enough to period to be easily
altered to suit. Unfortunately, many of these patterns are now
out of production; for a newer list, check
the Patterns page.
For those who can read Acrobat Format, a crude collection of sketches were
distributed along with the suggested basic patterns. This includes a peasant
woman's outfit of a
Muffin Cap,
Chemise,
Bodice,
and
Skirts
as well as a man's outfit of
Biggins
or
Flatcap,
Jerkin,
and
Breeches.
These may be enough information for you to draft your own patterns.
From: Barbara Carter <bcarter@oddjob.uchicago.edu> (1998);
Hi, I'm just starting my first period outfit, and I used the ren faire
web page for pattern suggestions. I found, to my great dismay, that a
majority of the patterns mentioned (for women at least) are no longer
available. In case you're interested, here are the discontinued
pattern numbers, and patterns I found that might replace them:
Skirt: McCall's 4798, Simplicity 7561 and 7021 no longer exist. May I humbly suggest replacing these with the full skirt patterns of It's So Easy It's Simplicity 7141 or McCall's Easy Stitch 'n Save 6829, both of which having the added virtue of being very cheap patterns (about $2 each).
Chemise: none of the mentioned patterns exist any more. (That's McCall's 4897 and 5993 and Simplicity 9162.) Not knowing, in my mundane ignorance, the difference between a chemise and a blouse, I can offer no substitutes.
Shirts for Nobility: The only pattern suggested, Simplicity 9929, no longer exists.
Shirts for Peasantry: Simplicity 7574 no longer exists. I didn't like the looks of the two Butterick patterns suggested on the web page, so I got Butterick 6803 instead. Simplicity 9582 might also be a worthwhile pattern. These patterns do require some alterations, though.
Cloaks: the 5-patterns-in-one Butterick 9796 does not exist, but a lined cloak pattern (with or without hood) that's currently available is Butterick 3084. The other 2 patterns mentioned on the web page still exist.
