Get Dressed Properly! Since the publication of Janet Arnold’s work on Elizabethan era dress in the 1970s and 80s, much has been written about the clothing of mid- to late 16th century England. But for people who wear reproductions of Elizabethan clothing at historic sites, reenactments, Renaissance Faires, Shakespearean plays, Western Martial Arts, and living history events, this body of knowledge is lacking one essential piece — a simple guide on how to get dressed. What pieces are essential to be dressed properly? What garments can be omitted for reasons of comfort without compromising the accuracy of the outfit? Where is the line between costume and clothing? Reconstructing History’s 16th century Early Elizabethan Common Women's Getting Dressed Guide is meant to fill that void. This 43-page downloadable guide, written by clothing historian Kass McGann and backed by 20 years of research, will tell you everything you need to know to dress historically accurately as an Elizabethan Common Woman from 1560s through 1580s England and her colonies. The Getting Dressed Guides are not intended to be books of all knowledge. In these pages you will not find debates about the construction of doublets or what sheep breeds were in use in the English wool industry. You will simply find a list of garments commonly worn by Englishwomen in the 1560s through 1580s and the manner in which they were worn. General fabric types and other pertinent information is included, but more detail than this is outside the scope of this Guide. In other words, the Getting Dressed Guides are guides to teach you how to get dressed for this period and location. “Everything you need to know to get dressed.” If you find a garment listed in a Getting Dressed Guide, you can be sure it was worn in the period covered. If you do not find a garment listed in these pages, that only means it was not common enough for us to include. Download your copy now and start dressing today!
Make a simple but beautiful German Renaissance gown! Your Landsknecht dreams come true with our 16th century German Commonwoman's Gown. Includes plain or slashed sleeves and gathered or pleated skirts. Fits busts 30½"-48" and waists 23"-41". All sizes in one envelope. Also included are assembly instructions, embellishment suggestions, and the extensive historical notes you've come to expect from Reconstructing History. Suggested Fabrics: light weight to coat weight wool, heavy linen or canvas for interlining, light linen for liningNotions: thread, hooks & eyes or cord and closed rings (for front closure), two-inch and three-inch wide strips of contrasting wool for guards, as many as desiredYardage Requirements: Gown - 6 yds 45" or 4½ yds 60" wide; Interlining - 2 yds 45" or 1 yds 60" wide (bodice & sleeves only); Lining - ½ yd 45" or 60" wide (bodice only)
COMPLETELY REVISED JULY 2022. SMALLER AND LARGER SIZES ADDED! Downloadable patterns with complete instructions and historical notes for 16th century Italian Commonwoman's Gown as seen in the work of Vincenzo Campi. Pattern includes tie-on sleeves, center or side-back closure, and gathered or pleated skirts. Instructions fro ruffled-collared camisa or scoop-necked pleated camisa also included. Fits busts 28"-60" and waists 21"-52". All sizes come in the downloadable file. Also included are assembly instructions, embellishment suggestions, and the extensive historical notes you’ve come to expect from Reconstructing History. Your purchase delivers as a PDF download. Just open and print on your home computer. (Full size print shop versions available upon request.) Suggested Fabrics: light weight to coat weight wool heavy linen or canvas for interlining light linen for lining Yardage Requirements: Gown with matching sleeves: 6 yds 45" or 4½ yds 60" wide Gown without sleeves: 4 yds 45" or 3 yds 60" wide Constrasting sleeves: 2 yds 45" or 1½ yds 60" wide Lining: 2 yds 45" or 1½ yds 60" wide (bodice & sleeves only) Interlining: ½ yd 45" or 60" wide (bodice only) Notions: thread hooks & eyes or cord and closed rings (thread eyelets may also be used) two-inch and three-inch wide strips of contrasting wool or colourful ribbon for guards, as many as desired Let us help you! At Reconstructing History, we want to see you wearing the best garments you are capable of making. Email us at info [!at] reconstructinghistory.com and we will answer any questions you might have.
I feel that claims that Irish clothing changed very little over time are completely false. A 4 th century Irishman did...
COMPLETELY REVISED JULY 2022. SMALLER AND LARGER SIZES ADDED! Downloadable patterns with complete instructions and historical notes for 16th century Italian Commonwoman's Gown as seen in the work of Vincenzo Campi. Pattern includes tie-on sleeves, center or side-back closure, and gathered or pleated skirts. Instructions fro ruffled-collared camisa or scoop-necked pleated camisa also included. Fits busts 28"-60" and waists 21"-52". All sizes come in the downloadable file. Also included are assembly instructions, embellishment suggestions, and the extensive historical notes you’ve come to expect from Reconstructing History. Your purchase delivers as a PDF download. Just open and print on your home computer. (Full size print shop versions available upon request.) Suggested Fabrics: light weight to coat weight wool heavy linen or canvas for interlining light linen for lining Yardage Requirements: Gown with matching sleeves: 6 yds 45" or 4½ yds 60" wide Gown without sleeves: 4 yds 45" or 3 yds 60" wide Constrasting sleeves: 2 yds 45" or 1½ yds 60" wide Lining: 2 yds 45" or 1½ yds 60" wide (bodice & sleeves only) Interlining: ½ yd 45" or 60" wide (bodice only) Notions: thread hooks & eyes or cord and closed rings (thread eyelets may also be used) two-inch and three-inch wide strips of contrasting wool or colourful ribbon for guards, as many as desired Let us help you! At Reconstructing History, we want to see you wearing the best garments you are capable of making. Email us at info [!at] reconstructinghistory.com and we will answer any questions you might have.
Get Dressed Properly! Since the publication of Janet Arnold’s work on 16th and 17th century dress in the 1970s and 80s, much has been written about the clothing of early 17th century Europe. But for people who wear reproductions of 17th century clothing at historic sites, reenactments, Renaissance Faires, Shakespearean plays, Western Martial Arts, and living history events, this body of knowledge is lacking one essential piece — a simple guide on how to get dressed. What pieces are essential to be dressed properly? What garments can be omitted for reasons of comfort without compromising the accuracy of the outfit? Where is the line between costume and clothing? Reconstructing History’s Early 17th century European Common Women's Getting Dressed Guide is meant to fill that void. This 40-page downloadable guide, written by clothing historian Kass McGann and backed by 20 years of research, will tell you everything you need to know to dress historically accurately as a Common Woman from early 17th century Europe and her colonies. The Getting Dressed Guides are not intended to be books of all knowledge. In these pages you will not find debates about the construction of doublets or what sheep breeds were in use in the English wool industry. You will simply find a list of garments commonly worn by European women in the early to mid-17th century and the manner in which they were worn. General fabric types and other pertinent information is included, but more detail than this is outside the scope of this Guide. In other words, the Getting Dressed Guides are guides to teach you how to get dressed for this period and location. “Everything you need to know to get dressed.” If you find a garment listed in a Getting Dressed Guide, you can be sure it was worn in the period covered. If you do not find a garment listed in these pages, that only means it was not common enough for us to include. Download your copy now and start dressing today!
In my previous blog post about the Lengberg Castle brassiere where you can find the pattern I had just made it and not really worn it, I mostly wanted to put the pattern out there as soon as possib…
Those who follow this blog on facebook have probably seen that I have been working on a 16th century Venetian gown. That is actually one of...
Whenever I am thinking of making a new dress, my first step is always to search out as many similar dresses as I can and study them. I look for things that are universal or common to most of the pa…
Made in 2002 This dress was based on a picture in Hans Weigel's Trachtenbuch printed in 1577, showing a French peasant woman. It has served me well, the top photo is from 2010, and I could still have worn it if I hadn't become too fat for it. In fact I am a little fat even in the photos from 2002 below. The dress is made of yellow worsted wool and the guard at the hem and the front placket is made of dark grey-black wool flannel. I'm wearing sewn stockings of a thin wool twill in all the photos, though not the same. In teh 2002 photos I also wear black leather hand made shoes. in the top one my arhtirtis has foced me to use Mary Janes with ortipedic insoles cast after my feet. The smock is entirely hand sewn and made of thin linen. In this image you can see the lacing closer, maybe too close as you can see the lacing holes on the placket. I don't know what I was thinking when I chose white linen thread to make them. I think I was just to in love with using waxed linen thread, to actually think. I also didn't think it would show, which it also didn't when I lost weight, as can be seen from the top photo. The bodice and front placket are first spiral laced together and then I use ladder lacing to keep the bodice together. I apologize for the general low quality of the 2002 pictures. Firstly, they were taken with a cheap digital camera and secondly, it was 10 pm, and the relative darkness makes funny things with colours.
Back view of German style ensemble.
One of the challenges in the HSF I found the most interesting was the nr 5 Peasants and Pioneres back in Mars. Since I’m obviosly a “princess” when it comes to historical costumin…
One of the challenges in the HSF I found the most interesting was the nr 5 Peasants and Pioneres back in Mars. Since I’m obviosly a “princess” when it comes to historical costumin…
Whenever I am thinking of making a new dress, my first step is always to search out as many similar dresses as I can and study them. I look for things that are universal or common to most of the pa…
Reconstructing History #RH508 - 16th Century Italian Commonwoman's Outfit Sewing Pattern Get a complete Italian Renaissance common woman's outfit in this easy pattern! Make your 16th century Italian Commonwoman's Gown as seen in the work of Vincenzo Campi. Pattern includes tie-on sleeves, center or side-back closure, and gathered or pleated skirts. Instructions for ruffled-collared camisa or scoop-necked pleated camisa also included. Fits busts 30½"-48" and waists 23"-41". All sizes in one envelope. Also included are assembly instructions, embellishment suggestions, and the extensive historical notes you've come to expect from Reconstructing History. Full-size paper patterns come with complete instructions and historical notes for 16th century Italian Commonwoman's Gown as seen in the work of Vincenzo Campi. Pattern includes tie-on sleeves, center or side-back closure, and gathered or pleated skirts. Instructions fro ruffled-collared camisa or scoop-necked pleated camisa also included. Historical notes and embellishment suggestions included.
Make a simple but beautiful German Renaissance gown! Your Landsknecht dreams come true with our 16th century German Commonwoman's Gown. Includes plain or slashed sleeves and gathered or pleated skirts. Fits busts 30½"-48" and waists 23"-41". All sizes in one envelope. Also included are assembly instructions, embellishment suggestions, and the extensive historical notes you've come to expect from Reconstructing History. Suggested Fabrics: light weight to coat weight wool, heavy linen or canvas for interlining, light linen for liningNotions: thread, hooks & eyes or cord and closed rings (for front closure), two-inch and three-inch wide strips of contrasting wool for guards, as many as desiredYardage Requirements: Gown - 6 yds 45" or 4½ yds 60" wide; Interlining - 2 yds 45" or 1 yds 60" wide (bodice & sleeves only); Lining - ½ yd 45" or 60" wide (bodice only)
• Finished accessory• Tudor Tailor exclusive A cap kercher or coif was a common accessory for the 16th century woman. This listing is for a hand sewn Tudor style cap kercher in your choice of either 100% linen or 100% hemp. This particular style can be worn alone or under a French hood. Linen lace tie fastenings are pulled taut through a casing at the nape of the neck, allowing the cap to adjust to fit most any head size. The laces are then pulled up and over the head and tied at the back, securing the cap over dressed hair. Instructions for the period-appropriate method of dressing the hair under the cap are also included. Please select linen or hemp. The hemp is slightly heavier and slightly creamier in colour (see the photo with both caps together - the hemp cap is on the right, under the linen cap), making it perfect for lower class portrayals. We regret that we cannot offer returns or refunds on costumes. Returns on items such as these are not very practical, particularly if shipping internationally where customs duties might be involved. Therefore, please check all measurements (both yours and those of the costume!) carefully. If you have any questions about the garments or need more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Downloadable patterns with complete instructions and historical notes for 16th century German Commonwoman's Gown with plain or slashed sleeves and gathered or pleated skirts. Fits busts 30½"-48" and waists 23"-41". All sizes are included in one digital download. Also included are assembly instructions, embellishment suggestions, and the extensive historical notes you’ve come to expect from Reconstructing History. Your purchase delivers as a PDF download. Just open and print on your home computer. (Full size print shop versions available upon request.) Suggested Fabrics: light weight to coat weight wool heavy linen or canvas for interlining light linen for lining Yardage Requirements: Gown: 6 yds 45" or 4½ yds 60" wide Interlining: 2 yds 45" or 1 yds 60" wide (bodice & sleeves only) Lining: ½ yd 45" or 60" wide (bodice only) Notions: thread hooks & eyes or cord and closed rings (for front closure) two-inch and three-inch wide strips of contrasting wool for guards, as many as desired Let us help you! At Reconstructing History, we want to see you wearing the best garments you are capable of making. Email us at info [!at] reconstructinghistory.com and we will answer any questions you might have.
Whenever I am thinking of making a new dress, my first step is always to search out as many similar dresses as I can and study them. I look for things that are universal or common to most of the pa…
One of the challenges in the HSF I found the most interesting was the nr 5 Peasants and Pioneres back in Mars. Since I’m obviosly a “princess” when it comes to historical costumin…
In my last post I started talking about jewellery for my 1480s Florence costume. Here I’ll continue with some of the most commonly seen items in portraits & other references. Large brooch…
(Urs Graf 1517 Since the whole dress on my woodcut isn’t really visible and doesn’t provide any specific details, I collected woodcuts made by Urs Graf, and sorted them into chronologic…
Whenever I am thinking of making a new dress, my first step is always to search out as many similar dresses as I can and study them. I look for things that are universal or common to most of the pa…
They didn't "just wear green"! Or Celtic knotwork... Or shamrocks... Or any of that crap. \n \nSince the publication of Mairead Dunlevy’s work on Irish dress in the 1980s, much has been written about the clothing of 16th century Ireland. But for people who wear reproductions of Renaissance Irish clothing at historic sites, reenactments, Renaissance Faires, Shakespearean plays, Western Martial Arts, and living history events, this body of knowledge is lacking one essential piece — a simple guide on how to get dressed. What pieces are essential to be dressed properly? What garments can be omitted for reasons of comfort without compromising the accuracy of the outfit? Where is the line between costume and clothing? Reconstructing History’s 16th century Irish Women's Getting Dressed Guide is meant to fill that void. This 63-page downloadable guide, written by clothing historian Kass McGann and backed by 20 years of research, will tell you everything you need to know to dress historically accurately as an Irish Woman from 1540s through 1620s Ireland. The Getting Dressed Guides are not intended to be books of all knowledge. In these pages you will not find debates about the construction of doublets or what sheep breeds were in use. You will simply find a list of garments commonly worn by Irishwomen in the 1540s through 1620s and the manner in which they were worn. General fabric types and other pertinent information is included, but more detail than this is outside the scope of this Guide. In other words, the Getting Dressed Guides are guides to teach you how to get dressed for this period and location. “Everything you need to know to get dressed.” If you find a garment listed in a Getting Dressed Guide, you can be sure it was worn in the period covered. If you do not find a garment listed in these pages, that only means it was not common enough for us to include. Download your copy now!
(Urs Graf 1517 Since the whole dress on my woodcut isn’t really visible and doesn’t provide any specific details, I collected woodcuts made by Urs Graf, and sorted them into chronologic…
