Ninya Mikhaila

One of the best renaissance costuming history & how-to book to come out ever! Ok, it isn't perfect, but what book ever is. This book is sorely needed for those who perform and create costumes for English renaissance faires, re-enactments, or members of the SCA who recreate English 16th c. personas.

There is plenty of historical background information, info on dye colors, the types of textiles used and their names, the heights of common people of the times, images of surviving garments with show more new details, samples of surviving jewelry, how garments were decorated, and lots of images from the time.

Then the two ladies show you the patterns for various garments of the time period, for both men and women. Most patterns are for gentry to nobility, but can be used for merchant/artisan classes as well. There are a number of styles to chose from, and it ranges from the 1530s to the 1600s as fashions changed. I only wish they made it clear which styles went with what time period, as those new to this era will easily get confused. The garments dress a person from the inside out, and even include various hats and headdresses, and even accessories of the period.

The patterns provided have to be enlarged and made up to fit the wearer, but basic instructions are provided. Some instructions could use a bit more clarity as even I had troubles in a few places. I don't suggest making up the patterns if a person is a complete beginner to making historical costumes, but someone with intermediate skills should be fine.

There are a few photo set how-tos, including the whole gamut of how to fit a man for his breeches (this worked for me very well), how to fit a bodice, and even how to braid a woman's hair to keep the headdresses in place.

I really love this book, and am quite happy it came out. While I had already learned a lot before its release, their information is from years of research, and years of "in the trenches" real-life findings of how the various re-created garments possibly would have been worn by the Tudors.

I will admit I don't agree 100% with their findings on some garments (such as their early French hoods), their patterns work, and it does fit the currently available information. They are also ladies who will admit that in some cases, it was the best supposition of what they knew, and that they may be incorrect, or there may be a better way of doing things, and that they are always learning new things. show less

This book has two sections, a historical overview of Tudor costume in the front, and a patterns section in the back. I loved the historical overview; it's well-done and fairly comprehensive, covering a lot of elements of dress that often get left out of costuming books (such as underthings and costuming across class.)

I was less impressed with the patterns; while they're generally usable, and it's nice to have the wide variety of patterns on one theme, the instructions are often confusing and show more some of the sizing is just bizarre. Also, the photographs of the finished clothing, often the only illustrations of the completely pieces, frequently don't make it clear exactly which patterns are being illustrated, which can make constructing an outfit something of an exercise in frustration. show less

Fabulous! One of the best I've seen on this subject, however...she fails to even mention the mysterious white band.

I've been waiting a long time to get my hands on this book. The patterns within are very well researched and the pictures are as inspirational as can be.

I cannot wait to get started on my first Tudor gown using this book as one of my master references.