At this point, I want to present you some books and online resources that I like. Most of them provide you information on different topics, inspiration and patterns. Most of the books were published by museums or contain a lot of photos, but there are some text-based ones, too. They are divided up into categories due to their main topic. If it contains several, they are listed double.*
Please notice that most of the books that include patterns do not show you how to change them to fit your size. Often they are only sketches.
Update: In the future I want to list some groups, too, but at the moment, there are only German ones.
Printed resources
Pattern drafting:
Creating Historical Clothes: Pattern cutting from Tudor to Victorian times (make your own patterns), by Elizabeth Friendship, Costume & Fashion Press, 2013, 978-0896762855.
Stays and Corsets: Historical Patterns Translated for the Modern Body (make your own corset patterns), by Mandy Barrington, Focal Press, 2015, ISBN 978-1138018235.
–
Various Eras
The History of Underclothes (overview, but there are better books), by C. Cunnington, Dover Publications, 1992, ISBN 978-0486271248.
Corsets and Crinolines (great overview with some patterns), by Norah Waugh, Routledge, 1991, ISBN 978-0878305261.
Underwear Fashion in Detail (detail photos of underwear), by Eleri Lynn, Victoria and Albert Museum, 2014 (Neuauflage), ISBN 978-1851777846.
Costume in Detail: Women’s Dress 1730-1930 (sketches, one of my favourite books), by Nancy Bradfield, Costume & Fashion Press, 1997, ISBN 978-0896762176.
The Cut of Woman’s Clothes 1600-1930 (a lot of detail and complicated sometimes, some patterns), by Norah Waugh, Faber & Faber, 1994, ISBN 978-0571085941.
The Cut of Men’s Clothes (the same for men) by Norah Waugh, Faber & Faber, Reprint 2015, ISBN 978-1138870550.
–
Ancient World
–
Vikings and other Medieval
Ausgrabungsberichte von Haithabu (German, sold), Costume information in these volumes:
–Gräber
–Hafen
–Lederfunde
–
18th Century Rococo
Die Kostümsammlung der Familie von Bassermann-Jordan (German, description and patterns), by Heidede Biegler-Sander, Verlag Regionalkultur, 1992, ISBN 978-3897350816.
Costume Close-up (I love this book, lots of information and patterns I often use), by Linda Baumgarten, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 1999, ISBN 978-0896762268.
Costume in Detail: Women’s Dress 1730-1930 (sketches, one of my favourite books), by Nancy Bradfield, Costume & Fashion Press, 1997, ISBN 978-0896762176.
Fitting and Proper (reprint available, great book, I often use it), by Sharon Ann Burnston, Scurlock Pub Co, 2000, ISBN 978-1880655108.
Patterns of Fashion 1 (one of my first fashion books, sketches and patterns), by Janet Arnold, Drama Publishers, 2005 (Neuauflage), ISBN 978-0896760264.
17th and 18th Century Fashion in Detail (detailed photos, no overview), by Avril Hart und Susan North, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1998 (Neuauflage), ISBN 978-1851775729.
What Clothes Reveal (all about 18th century American fashion), by Linda Baumgarten, Yale University Press, 2012, ???.
18th Century Costume in the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside (some extra photos, but not one you have to buy at all costs), by Pauline Rushton, National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside, 1999, ISBN 978-1902700014.
The Cut of Woman’s Clothes 1600-1930 (a lot of detail and complicated sometimes, some patterns), by Norah Waugh, Faber & Faber, 1994, ISBN 978-0571085941.
The Cut of Men’s Clothes (the same for men) by Norah Waugh, Faber & Faber, Reprint 2015, ISBN 978-1138870550.
Gazette des atours de Marie Antoinette (photos of fabric pieces the queens dresses were made of), RMN, 2006, ISBN 978-2711851102.
A Lady of Fashion: Barbara Johnson’s Album of Styles and Fabrics (very expensive, but includes photos of fabrics), by Natalie Rothstein, Thames and Hudson Ltd, 1987, ISBN 978-0500014196.
–
19th Century (Empire, Crinoline, Tournure, Edwardian)
Die Kostümsammlung der Familie von Bassermann-Jordan (German, description and patterns), by Heidede Biegler-Sander, Verlag Regionalkultur, 1992, ISBN 978-3897350816.
Costume in Detail: Women’s Dress 1730-1930 (sketches, one of my favourite books), by Nancy Bradfield, Costume & Fashion Press, 1997, ISBN 978-0896762176.
Patterns of Fashion 2: Englishwomen’s Clothes and their Construction 1860-1940 (sketches and patterns), by Janet Arnold, Drama Publishers, 1982, ISBN 978-0333136072.
A Lady of Fashion: Barbara Johnson’s Album of Styles and Fabrics (very expensive, but includes photos of fabrics), by Natalie Rothstein, Thames and Hudson Ltd, 1987, ISBN 978-0500014196.
19th Century Fashion in Detail (photos showing details, no overview), by Lucy Johnston, Victoria and Albert Museum, 2009, ISBN 978-1851775729.
The Cut of Woman’s Clothes 1600-1930 (a lot of detail and complicated sometimes, some patterns), by Norah Waugh, Faber & Faber, 1994, ISBN 978-0571085941.
The Cut of Men’s Clothes (the same for men) by Norah Waugh, Faber & Faber, Reprint 2015, ISBN 978-1138870550.
Victorian Costume (some extra information, not necessary), by Anne Buck, Ruth Bean Publishers, 1984, ISBN 978-0903585170.
60 Civil War-Era Fashion Patterns (some original patterns in a new layout), by Kristina Harris, Dover Pubn Inc, 2007, ISBN 978-0486461762.
–
Fantasy and Movie Costumes
Period Costume for Stage and Screen, not historically accurate, but good as a base, unfortunately very expensive, different order in the various editions
— Period Costume for Stage & Screen: Patterns for Women’s Dress, Medieval – 1500, by Jean Hunnisett, Players Press, 1996, ISBN 978-0887346538.
— Period Costume for Stage & Screen: Patterns for Women’s Dress 1500-1800, by Jean Hunnisett, Players Press, 1991, ISBN 978-0887346101.
— Period Costume for Stage & Screen: Patterns for Women’s Dress, 1800-1909, by Jean Hunnisett, Players Press, 1991, ISBN 978-0887346095.
there are some additional volumes I did not read yet.
–
Online Recources and -shops
Historical
Fantasy and Movie Costumes
How-To’s
Shops**
Groups
German group for sewing: Kostümgeschichten
German group for readers of the Outlander Saga and the Tv Series: German Sassenachs
under construction…
*(I do not have any influence on the pages and books listed on this page. Therfore, I am not responsible for anything written or shown there. In addition, I often want to show you only one aspect, which does not mean that I believe everything written there.)
**(I am not paid by the shops, museums or groups shown here. I do only post them for giving you a starting point.)