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Summary: What a Joke
Review: This book doesn't serve much of a purpose other than a paperweight. If you like boring history, this one is for you.
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Summary: PERFECT FOR THE THEATRE!
Review: This book is an indispensible resource of period cut and construction techniques. The highly informative text and detailed illustrations are wonderful tools for creating authentic garments. Be aware- this is not for the novice seamstress- the illustrations assume that a strong base knowledge of sewing and cutting has already been met. I borrowed copies of this book for years- now I finally have my own.
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Summary: Must Have for Student and Professional Costumers
Review: This book is an indispensible resource of period cut and construction techniques. The highly informative text and detailed illustrations are wonderful tools for creating authentic garments. Be aware- this is not for the novice seamstress- the illustrations assume that a strong base knowledge of sewing and cutting has already been met. I borrowed copies of this book for years- now I finally have my own.
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Summary: If you love 16th Century costume, this book is a must!!!
Review: This book is by the world's foremost researcher of costume and it shows! The attention to detail, history and patterns are invaluable. Although Ms. Arnold has recently passed, this series of costume books are truly a legacy of her greatness. NOT FOR A BEGINNER. Imperative for the advanced costumer who wishes for authentically reproduced garments. The patterns are taken directly from the garments themselves. Her bibliography is exhaustive. Her historical notes, awe-inspiring. I would be lost without this book. (I am on my second copy.) Amazon's price is excellent. In some circles it is much, much more. -- Tonessa West Crowe
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Summary: PERFECT FOR THE THEATRE!
Review: This book is essential to any good theatre costume shop, but it is not for someone looking to create a halloween costume. Unless Theatre or authentic recreations are your thing, this book is not for you. Indepth with great detail.
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Summary: excellent source for the designing of clothes
Review: This book is excellent for showing exactly what the title suggests, the cut and construction of clothes. It is not a how-to book, but if you already know how to sew, this will tell you where the seams need to be. It is also interesting to note how much piecing they did and exactly how things were laced and where they were buttoned. I have found the book focuses more heavily on the latter half of the dates, at or after 1600. Despite the lack of information regarding undergarments, ruffs, and the like, this book would be a valuable asset to any recreationist's library.
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Summary: Warning: Extremely technical
Review: This book is very technical, and not for a beginning tailor. However it is an excellent idea sourcebook for anyone recreating Tudor and Elizabethan costumes. Janet Arnold was able to examine surviving pieces of clothing from this period, and has given scaled pattern layouts for many of the garments.
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Summary: A must-have for anyone interested in 16th Century costume
Review: This book would have to be described as "the bible" of late 16th century costuming. It is a goldmine for anyone interested in the actual creation of garments of the period. I would not be without my copy; I actually own two, so I can lend one out without having to be without it. The only flaws are that it is incomplete, lacking much of the undergarments of the period, and that there are a few mistakes in some of the patterning, which can have interesting results... certainly make a toile of the garments first, but generally this book is a gem. Note: this book assumes that the prospective sewer has quite an advanced skill in sewing; if you can't sew without instructions, you might find it challenging, and you need to expand the patterns up from the scaled down illustrations
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Summary: THE Elizabethean costume book
Review: This is a costumers bible. All the detail that will make or break a historical piece. It has wonderful background information and documentation as well as clear drawings and notes. The highlight is a collection of expandable patterns for a large assortment of complete ensembles. If your looking for just making Elizabethean outfits, this is way too much information. If you are ready for the "Next Level" of ultra historical clothing or working on a professional level, buy this book. I'm sure it will end up as dogeared as mine.
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Summary: This book is Costumer's dream.
Review: This is one of the books that we refer to constantly for real historical accuracy. It is for serious researchers of the period and contains information that can be found no other place. When we were researching my very first "Nobility" costume this was the book that I went to for the basic cut of the doublet. I also used it in an endevour to maintain real historical accuracy. We use this refence constantly when showing people ideas for accurate costumes
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