Patterns for Theatrical Costumes: Garments, Trims, and Accessories from Ancient Egypt to 1915

This book is the most comprehensive, single-volume collection of historical patterns (from Ancient Egypt through 1915) available today for men's and women's costumes. While the pattern designs are very simplistic, present little detail on closures or embellishments and present only general instructions on construction, they are functional and very easy to make, represent nearly authentic cuts and effectively achieve the intended essential look for their specific period. Each pattern in the book is presented in three sizes, and for each individual piece of a complete garment a label is often attached, giving its historical name and a brief description of its appearance or use. As a bonus, patterns for specialty costumes (fantasy, religious, Chinese, Japanese, and animals), undergarments, hats, wigs and masks are included, and its Introduction explains, in a step-by-step format, costuming techniques such as enlarging patterns, fitting designs, and draping. This book can also serve, with just a little imagination, as an infinite source of ideas to help you create your own patterns, although you will have to refer to other books on period specific costumes to give your work finishing details like ornaments, trims, and other accessories. The only weak point of the book is its glued soft-cover binding, which is completely inadequate for the spine-creasing use to which it's sure to be subjected. If you either work for the theater or just enjoy making your own costumes, you will find this book to be an indispensable part of your library. --Reviewed by Maritza Volmar

I've been a costume designer for over 25 years. 18 years ago I picked up a copy of this book. Little did I know what a Godsend it would be to me over the years. This book is great for the costume designer, who has a small budget, a big cast, a flaky volunteer crew, and a month to put together a peroid show. This book is to be used and doggear with a broken spine. I costume six to ten shows a year, and this book is always at my side. The simple drawings give directors a quick idea of the period, the patterns are amazing and easy to draft.I will often times give my costume interns a copy of this book for a going away present. It is an invaluable resource. One warning, it is not for the picky historical reinactors. This book is for the "down and dirty" theatrical costumer.

I have made many costumes from this book (for Camelot, Hello Dolly, Oklahoma, as well as "Ren Fair" costumes) and am amazed how reliable they are. This book is especially easy to use if you have a scanner and a plotter. Just scan in the patterns and plot them at 800%. While the construction method and cut may not be historically accurate, the lines of the resulting costumes are always evocative of their intended era. The book also has an excellent section on hats and masks.

I recently discovered that I had lost this pattern book (probably loaned to someone who also loved the book) and just couldn't do without it. I direct an early music group that frequently needs to quickly create authentic-looking costumes. This book is an invaluable resource.

A good book to use as a starting point in the building of costumes. It gives great detail on how create masks, millinary, drafting a pattern, radiating a pattern and so on. Gives a good basic idea of the styles for specific periods and the names of the different pieces. The historical accuracy is also very good too. Nice variations on how to give a different shape to sleeves, and hems and decorative borders that are accurate for the period. I have created sucessfully the early 16th and 17th century costumes as well as early mantles. Sizing is not always true to modern sizes and some adjusting may be neccessary. I really enjoy this book and it is often the first place I look in getting ideas for a new costume. Stephanie Carrig