The sign of the unicorn. A fabric shop for 18th century reenactors and historians.

Books: Techniques (Cutting and Sewing)

On this page we offer publications and packets on the business of cutting and sewing authentic costumes, whether by using modern pre-drawn patterns or by recreating the pattern design techniques of the past.

Costume | Accessories | Zeitgeist | Re-enacting | Textiles | Techniques

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Fitting & Proper

By Sharon Ann Burnston Now back in print!

Early American Clothing: Fitting and Proper provides a rare opportunity to examine the clothing of ordinary 18th century Americans. Over 40 original garments from the collection of the Chester County [Pennsylvania] Historical Society are described and featured in top-quality photographs. In addition, 38 of these garments are rendered as detailed, inch-by-inch graphed patterns by 18th century costume authority Sharon Ann Burnston.

Soft Cover
122 pages. Large, 9" × 12" format
$35.00

Hazel Dickfoss' comment: The clothing diagrams are taken from originals but I have used them to make clothes for myself adjusting to fit my 21st century body.

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Whatever Shall I Wear?

Mara Riley, illustrated by Cathy (Kate) Johnson

Lavishly illustrated with both 18th century cuts and large, clear drawings, many gleaned from period paintings and drawings. Detailed close up drawings of many of the subjects covered; touches on clothing from early century to the Regency/Federal period.

New large format!
8 1/2" × 11", 56 pages,
perfect bound, two-color cover
$12.95

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Costume Close-up:
Clothing Construction and Patterns 1769-1790

Linda Baumgarten and John Watson

Not just clothing patterns but a detailed examination of the inside of the garments, how the fabricwas manufactured and who wore them. A must for the study of costume and a great addition to the bookshelf of a re-enactor.

10" × 12", 120 pages
ISBN number 0-87935-188-8
$24.95

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Baghose
The construction of (diced or otherwise)

by Kate Henry

Baghose that fit well can sometimes be a problem. Complete with many illustrations and step by step directions you will not have poor fitting baghose again. This book is a great supplement to our baghose fabric!

8 1/2" × 5 1/2", 36 pages
$10.00

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The Lady's Economical Assistant
or, The Art of Cutting Out, and Making, The most useful Articles of Wearing Apparel, Without waste; Explained by the Clearest directions, and Numerous Engravings, of Appropriate and Tasteful Patterns

By A Lady, 1808

This newly typeset and meticulously re-drawn publication of the 1808 book, contains cutting directions and patterns for clothing for Infants, Three Quarters Clothing, Two Year Olds, Girls about Five Years, some items for Women and Men, and Linen for Lying-in Women—with clothing for poor infants and One to Two Year Olds.

Numerous illustrations in the text, plus twenty-seven plates with pattern figures (some complete patterns, and some neckline/armhole/shoulder curves, etc.) printed in half scale off the original fold-out plates.

A new preface, editorial notes and illustrations are included in this addition.

80 pages, soft cover. 11" × 8 1/2"
$20.00

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The Supplement to "The Lady's Economical Assistant"
(tissue patterns only)

All twenty-seven plates of pattern figures from the book, printed in full scale on sewing pattern tissue. There is no need to enlarge the scaled plates in the book - just cut and use the figures!

$6.00

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The Lady's Guide to Plain Sewing
Book I

This is a modern reference book for hand sewing basic stitches and starting a sewing basket. Stitches and techniques include proper sewing position, spaced back-stitch, plain hem, rolled hem, open-work hem, felled seam, French seam, plain or running gathers, whipped gathers, button-holes, eyelets using a stiletto, thread (Dorset) buttons using a button stick and tapestry needle, and an 18th century cross stitch alphabet. A valuable addition to any sewing kit!

32 pages. 8 1/2" × 5 1/2"
$12.00

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The Lady's Guide to Plain Sewing
Book II

A second volume of the reference book for authentic hand sewing of historical garments and household items, containing additional stitches and seam techniques, gather attachments, making cloth covered buttons using button molds, making thread button using brass rings, gussets and re-enforcements, cord making with a lucet, and an additional 18th century alphabet for cross stitching. Excellent resource for the advanced hand sewer.

32 pages. 8 1/2" × 5 1/2"
$12.00

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The Workman's Guide to Plain Sewing
Tailoring Stitches and Techniques

The third in the sewing book series covers numerous tailoring stitches, seam techniques and great finishing touches! Included are tailor's trade and tools, tailor's tack, stay stitching, stay tapes, prickstitch with several variations, bar tacks, attaching buttons, hooks and eyes, and detailed instructions on 18th century style welt and flap pockets. A "must have" addition to your sewing book collection!

32 pages. 8 1/2" × 5 1/2"
$12.00

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The Packet
Being a Collection of Patterns, Articles and Essays Pertaining to the American Revolution

By Mark Tully

The Packet series has become some of the most helpful and well recognized books for 18th century reenactors and scholars. The Packet contains completely documented, illustrated and footnoted articles full of great information. Many are projects that can be completed within a weekend including several articles on military rations and food, camp kettles, camp cooking, making tent pins, a pattern for making wallets and bed sacks, notebooks, penny knives, shot pouches and bullet bags, hand barrows, camp furniture as well as others.

48 pages, 8 1/2" × 11", complete bibliography
ISBN 1-893832-08-2
$9.95

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The Packet I
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The Packet II
Being Another Collection of Patterns, Articles and Essays Pertaining to the American Revolution

By Mark Tully

The Packet II contains many more articles full of great information for the reenactor and 18th century history scholar. Included are many projects that can be finished within a day or an afternoon such as eating utensils, work aprons, patterns for knitting a brimmed sailors cap and French double toque, soap, cleaning buttons on coats, shaving, and more.

48 pages, 8 1/2" × 11", complete bibliography
ISBN 1-893832-09-0
$9.95

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The Packet II
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The Packet III
Being Yet Another Collection of Patterns, Articles and Essays Pertaining to the American Revolution

By Mark Tully

The Packet III has even more completely documented, illustrated and footnoted articles full of great information for the reenactor and 18th-century scholar. Included are military dress, watchcoats and cloaks, a pattern for forage caps, a pattern for hand knit mittens and sewn mittens, knapsacks, military markings, and more.

48 pages, 8 1/2" × 11", complete bibliography
ISBN 1-893832-10-4
$9.95

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The Packet III
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new The Packet IV
Being One More Collection of Patterns, Articles and Essays Pertaining to the American Revolution

By Mark Tully

The Packet IV is the latest offering of this highly popular series which includes completely documented, illustrated and footnoted articles full of great information for the reenactor and 18th-century scholar. Included are articles on military 18th century recruiting, musket accuracy, cartridges, whistles, diversions, music, 18th century money, directions for making a man's silk money purse, quill pens, style variations of waistcoats from early 18th century to early 19th century, the laundress' trade and tools, pocket handkerchiefs, walking sticks and canes, and directions to make painted floor cloths.

48 pages, 8 1/2" × 11", complete bibliography
ISBN 1-893832-15-5
$9.95

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The Packet IV
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A Brief Discourse on 18th-Century Games

By Mark Tully

Historical notes plus simple, easy to understand rules for one dozen popular 18th-century games including; Dominoes, Draughts (checkers), Fox & Geese, Going to Boston, Hazard, Laugh & Lay Down, the Mill, Snip, Snap, Snorem, Whist and more! Includes complete play instructions and suggestions for making your own game pieces and boards.

GREAT FAMILY FUN!

26 pages, 5 1/2" × 8 1/2", bibliography
ISBN 1-893832-06-6
$4.25

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Games

Costume | Accessories | Zeitgeist | Re-enacting | Textiles | Techniques

 

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