Parsimonious Patterns

It's been brought to my attention (frequently, and with a blunt clue stick) that some people would really like me to put up patterns, instead of drafting instructions. Some people have gone a little further, and suggested that I make real live patterns, complete with sizes and instructions. Unfortunately, I have neither the time nor the resources for that one. But here's the next best thing: The contents of my pattern files. Now here's the deal: We'll call my little line of patterns Parsimonious Patterns. They're free for you to use, but you may not sell them. Now, the good news is that: they're free. The bad news is that you get what you pay for. ;) It should go without saying that the sheet you print out will not produce a pattern usable by anyone who is not a doll. You'll need to size them up to around your size. (Either with one of those projector doohickies or by taking them to your friendly neighborhood Kinko's and asking that it be sized up a few hundred percent. If you can get hold of the projector, that's prolly easiest because you can play with the sizing easily.) They should all size neatly up to about a woman's 12-14 short. You will most likely need to alter the pattern a scosh to get a good fit, but that's the case with all commercial patterns anyway. If you are significantly smaller or larger than I am, your success may be very limited. Technically, I fall just slightly to the large of dead average for women in america (which explains why my size jeans are always cleared out at a good sale), so hopefully, this will be helpful to a lot of people. Instructions for making up most of the garments are available within the Instructions section of this web site. So, here you go, folks. Now please, stop hitting the sempstress. She bruises.

Pattern	Finished Garment
	A reasonably accurate effigy like corset. (Special emphasis on "reasonably" and "like".) Some information on this one is available here. Pieces: Front, back
	The "three part" doublet special. This doublet pattern has been adapted to include a center section on each side of the front and back. When I made this up originally, the center sections were cut on the bias, which created a nice pattern. It could be useful under a bizairre set of circumstances. Pieces: Center Back, Back Inset, Side Back, Side Front, Front Inset, Center Front
	Later 1500s doublet. This one has a huge drop at the waist. It's a very simple, pretty period pattern, but it's persnickity to draft if you're not good with draping weird curves. (I smooth out the weird notch at the front neck when I cut the fabric.) Pieces: Center Back, Side, Center Front
	1570s Noble Bodice and Sleeves. There's so much pattern to the sleeves that I couldn't get all the pieces in one pictures. :) Paned sleeves are pretty intense. Some construction information can be found in this diary Pieces: Picture 1: Top Row: Sleeve Base, Bodice Back, Bodice Front/Side Bottom Row: Sleeve Lining, Sleeve Panes, Skirt Trim Pattern, Sleeve Cap Picture 2: Bodice Back and Front/Side -- better picture
	French Cut Bodice. This is the same bodice plan as the Phoenix Dress. Pieces: Well, ok, there's only one, and it's a bodice....
	Man's Doublet with Quilted Shoulders. This is not the most period pattern I've ever drafted, but it's not too awful. Pieces: Top Row: Back Shoulder Quilting, Front Shoulder/Chest Quilting, Epaulette Bottom Row: Center Back, Side Back, Front, Sleeve (Cuff below)