Review and Giveaway: Creating Historical Clothes, by Elizabeth Friendship

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(Anova Books Group, 2013; 242 pages)

 To win a copy of Creating Historical Clothes: Pattern Cutting from Tudor to Victorian times, just comment below! For a more chances, post about this giveaway on your blog, Tumblr, Twitter, or Facebook, and share the link in a new comment! You can enter to win through Friday, December 20th; winner will be drawn on Saturday.

I was pleasantly surprised to be sent and asked to review this book. (That's by way of being my disclaimer.) Giving my opinion is one of my favorite pastimes, so I was happy to oblige.

Elizabeth Friendship is a serious professional costume designer, and developed her methods of pattern drafting on the job. She imparts these methods to the reader with painstakingly detailed diagrams and instructions. The basic idea is to create a bodice block that fits you, which she then describes how to alter for period-correct seam placement, shaping, etc.

The whole book is divided into five chapters - one for the basic blocks, and four for the 16th through 19th centuries. Chapter one consists of patterns for the bodice, a straight sleeve, a fitted sleeve, a two-piece sleeve, basic skirt, and basic trousers, all of which could be used to create modern clothing. The historical chapters are replete with full-color reproductions of fashion plates and portraits, as well as accurate information about the changes in fashion during that century and numerous patterns with instructions. For example, to pull from everyone's favorite era, the 18th century chapter contains:

  • Corset 1730-1740
  • Basic 18th-century [fitted] bodice pattern
  • Basic pattern for sack-back gowns and jackets
  • Robings
  • Stomachers
  • Sleeves c.1700-1755
  • Bodices c.1770-1785
  • Sleeve with elbow dart
  • Cuffs
  • Two-piece sleeve and cuffs
  • Mid-century hoop petticoats
  • Panniers c.1770
  • 18th-century skirts
The one caveat I have as to accuracy is that the 18th century armscyes are placed a little far out on the shoulder. But 18th century sleeves are difficult to relate to modern blank patterns, I think, so it's very understandable.

Overall, my feeling is that this book would best benefit a costumer who is very familiar and comfortable with modern sewing techniques. If you frequently use commercial patterns and alter them for more accuracy and a better fit, then you might get a lot of use out of (and save money with) the basic block patterns and instructions for alteration in Creating Historical Clothes.

Comments

  1. Gabriela SalvadorDecember 11, 2013 at 5:20 PM

    This is such a cool giveaway, thank you!

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  2. JenniDecember 11, 2013 at 6:14 PM

    Fabulous giveaway!

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  3. AuntieNanDecember 11, 2013 at 6:42 PM

    Thanks thanks for th is posting! I am glad to see your review including the useful bits of information about the book, like what types of patterns she included. It certainly looks like a very valuable item to own indeed!
    Best,
    Nancy N

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  4. Cynthia SettjeDecember 11, 2013 at 7:21 PM

    This sounds great!

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  5. CaliypsoeDecember 11, 2013 at 7:24 PM

    This sounds like a cool book! I'd love to read it!

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  6. AnnieDecember 11, 2013 at 7:32 PM

    This is a very exciting giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownDecember 11, 2013 at 7:39 PM

    This sounds like an amazing book! I'm so glad you're doing this giveaway!

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  8. Rafaela KDecember 11, 2013 at 9:07 PM

    OMG I want thisss

    ReplyDelete
  9. Rafaela KDecember 11, 2013 at 9:09 PM

    I have reblogged this on my tumblr http://seekthemagic.tumblr.com/post/69746204009/mimic-of-modes-to-win-a-copy-of-creating#notes-container

    ReplyDelete
  10. LeahDecember 11, 2013 at 10:18 PM

    cool giveaway! seems like a great book to have.
    patricia.pruitt.sc@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. TrishDecember 11, 2013 at 11:12 PM

    Sweet! I'm hoping I get this for Christmas, but since I haven't seen any packages from Amazon, I'm not counting on it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. vintagevisions27December 12, 2013 at 8:33 AM

    Would love a copy of this book. I'm always on the look out for new costume books. :) Thanks!
    -Emily

    Emily's Vintage Visions

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  13. Vincent BriggsDecember 12, 2013 at 3:39 PM

    Yay! Books with patterns are always useful.
    You mentioned basic trousers, am I to understand that this book contains patterns for mens clothing as well? That would be awesome. It's so much harder to find information on those.
    Or is the basic pants pattern just used for bloomers and such?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CassidyDecember 12, 2013 at 8:50 PM

      Excellent question! No, Friendship provides the trouser pattern just so that the basic pattern section can work to make modern clothes for yourself. It's not used for anything else in the book.

      Delete
    2. Vincent BriggsDecember 13, 2013 at 7:29 AM

      Thank you. I didn't expect there to be any men's patterns, but it's good to ask. Strange that they wouldn't even use it for bloomers, swimsuits, or cycling outfits.

      Delete
  14. Lesley-Anne McLeodDecember 12, 2013 at 5:28 PM

    Thank you for the great giveaway, and I'm delighted to discover your blog. Particularly interested in Regency/Empire clothes and early Victorian, but it's all wonderful.
    wwwdotlesleyannemcleoddotcom

    ReplyDelete
  15. NiamhDecember 13, 2013 at 10:23 AM

    I have just discovered your blog and I am in love. Can't wait to go through it all. This book looks very interesting. I am still quite new to costuming but would love to add this to my resources. xx

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  16. Gabriela SalvadorDecember 13, 2013 at 11:00 PM

    Also posted about this on my tumblr http://plaidjump3r.tumblr.com/post/69942536852/a-most-beguiling-accomplishment-is-giving-away

    ReplyDelete
  17. Gabriela SalvadorDecember 13, 2013 at 11:02 PM

    And tweeted about it! https://twitter.com/GabrielaSalva9/status/411707627874177026

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  18. VintageKathyDecember 13, 2013 at 11:46 PM

    Love your 18th century fashion plate pictures. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to win this book. www.BestVintagePatterns.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousDecember 14, 2013 at 6:24 AM

    Oh, I would love this book!

    rhramstedt@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. TamsynDecember 14, 2013 at 12:59 PM

    Ooh, I'd love this book!

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousDecember 14, 2013 at 2:38 PM

    Panniers. you say? I have a pair in my future. This sounds like an interesting book; thank you for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  22. JulieDecember 14, 2013 at 5:24 PM

    Holy cow why did you not tell me of this before?? I NEED THIS BOOK :D

    ReplyDelete
  23. AylwenDecember 15, 2013 at 4:28 AM

    Definitely looks like a book I need to read - are you sure you weren't sent a box of them to share around?!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Alisha MartinDecember 17, 2013 at 2:32 AM

    Oooh, I've been looking at this one to add to the bookshelf! I would love to have it too.

    ReplyDelete
  25. AuroraDecember 18, 2013 at 11:59 PM

    Neat, looks like a cool book I need!

    ReplyDelete
  26. AuroraDecember 19, 2013 at 12:00 AM

    Tumbl'd: http://dramaticthreads.tumblr.com/post/70462338893/a-most-beguiling-accomplishment-review-and-giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  27. AuroraDecember 19, 2013 at 12:01 AM

    And Tweet'd: https://twitter.com/dramaticthreads/status/413534363645534209

    ReplyDelete
  28. AuroraDecember 19, 2013 at 12:02 AM

    And Facebook'd: https://www.facebook.com/dramaticthreads/posts/1445336659020166

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousDecember 19, 2013 at 12:05 AM

    Please give me a reason to expand my costuming bookshelf.

    ReplyDelete
  30. MichaelDecember 19, 2013 at 12:06 AM

    I would love to have a copy of this book!

    ReplyDelete
  31. JenniferDecember 19, 2013 at 1:13 AM

    I like how it seems to have an overview of all of the basic needs of each of the eras.

    ReplyDelete
  32. UnknownDecember 19, 2013 at 1:41 AM

    Looks like a good resource.

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  33. UnknownDecember 19, 2013 at 1:42 AM

    Shared on FB: https://www.facebook.com/karen.heim.758/posts/10200609827002533

    ReplyDelete
  34. G-CisDecember 19, 2013 at 8:02 AM

    Is it possible to participate if I live in Germany? :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Nora MaiDecember 19, 2013 at 8:46 AM

    Good review. Useful comparison notes between period & modern construction.

    ReplyDelete
  36. J. Leia LimaDecember 19, 2013 at 9:13 AM

    Seems like a great book!

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousDecember 19, 2013 at 10:31 AM

    I have this on my wishlist already! :) Glad to see it got such a good review!

    ReplyDelete
  38. ZipZipDecember 19, 2013 at 12:01 PM

    Dear Cassidy,
    Make a flat pattern block to suit different periods? That's useful! Sure, I'd love to enter.
    Very best, and thank you for offering the giveaway,
    Natalie

    ReplyDelete
  39. LeahDecember 19, 2013 at 12:07 PM

    i shared/reblogged about this giveaway on my tumblr. here's the link http://sweetteakisses.tumblr.com/post/70498418277/mimic-of-modes-to-win-a-copy-of-creating

    ReplyDelete
  40. LeahDecember 19, 2013 at 12:14 PM

    shared this giveaway on twitter. here is the link https://twitter.com/pleahpruitt/status/413718430982746114

    ReplyDelete
  41. Adela OteDecember 19, 2013 at 12:26 PM

    My daughter would love this book.

    ReplyDelete
  42. LeahDecember 19, 2013 at 12:41 PM

    i shared this giveaway on my facebook. here is the link https://www.facebook.com/leah.pruitt.39/posts/10202428924951851

    ReplyDelete
  43. AmandaDecember 19, 2013 at 1:37 PM

    This book is on my wishlist!
    I posted on my FB page
    https://www.facebook.com/CorsetraDesigns/posts/447164175383375

    ReplyDelete
  44. AnonymousDecember 19, 2013 at 1:52 PM

    That looks fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Gemmi FuchsbauDecember 19, 2013 at 6:09 PM

    What a nice idea for the holidays.

    ReplyDelete
  46. AnonymousDecember 19, 2013 at 8:53 PM

    Oh man, this would be an amazing addition to the bookshelf. Thanks for this opportunity to win!

    ReplyDelete
  47. UnknownDecember 20, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    Oooh nice!

    ReplyDelete

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