Project Muslin

I tend to consider draping to be the fastest, easiest method of getting a working pattern, either off a dummy or off a live person (regardless of their intelligence). Unlike flat pattern drafting, draping involves no actual math, you don't have to deal with a tape measure saying horrible and obviously untrue things about you and your friends (they lie, I tell you -- put a tape measure near a human waist, and all the numbers scuttle over), and, most importantly to me, it's just like drawing. Ok, technically, it's just like what drawing would be if you were prone to drawing three dimensionally, with a scissors instead of a pen.

Is this how it was done during the elizabethan era? Weeeeell, probably not. Is there a downside? Always. Draping can produce some rather unexpected pattern pieces. They're always accurate, they're just not always what you'd think. If you can get past those two points, though, you'll quickly find you can make patterns for darn near anything you can see. And you can make them for your size, rather than the entirely mythical sizing that pattern manufacturers use.

Starting Out

I've got a dress dummy -- Now What?! -- How to get your dummy set up for easy, accurate draping of Elizabethan era patterns.

Women's Garments

Gored Kirtle -- Technically, this is a little earlier than the elizabethan era, but it's still kinda cute!

Bodice with Arched Neckline -- A two piece bodice pattern with the distinctive arched neckline of the elizabethan era.

Kohler Kirtle -- Karl Kohler's wacky german kirtle theory, adapted from his History of Costume. I love this one, I just don't know why.

Kirtle with Fitted Bodies -- A kirtle with fitted bodies and a pleated skirt, one of the more common construction techniques for women's gowns in period.