Anyone used Reconstructing History patterns?

[abendgules]

I'm a longtime self-taught sempstress and have learned using measurements, and gradually moved on to fitted garments with cloth and paper blocks, with pretty good results.

I've used modern patterns a bit, for modern clothes and can follow pattern instructions.

I'm now tackling (or hoping to tackle, eventually) a couple of projects where I don't have much experienced - full hose, mens' doublets, Italian ladies' clothes - so I'm considering lashing out on patterns for guidance.

Does anyone have experience with these patterns? Are there any assumptions I should know about?

Comments

[my-stitching.livejournal.com]

In general, they are not easy patterns. But they can give wonderful results. They are intended for those who want to make something the period way and not the modern way. Sometimes experienced seamstresses disregard instructions because they already know how to put a garment together. You cannot do this with these patterns. You have to follow the instructions.

And if you run into some issues, the owner is super nice. Her name is Kass McGann and she is here on LJ (Kassrants) and on facebook. RH is also on facebook.

Good luck!

[badgersandjam.livejournal.com]

I was always told for hose to use the duct tape method. Same with doublets.

[xrian.livejournal.com]

People who love these patterns rave about them. They do, as another commenter said, require you to read, understand, and follow the directions (not a universal skill set! ;)

People who don't love them tend to focus on the size grading, I.e. the math that takes one pattern and automatically translates it into many sizes. Apparently for some garments this doesn't work very well, especially since IIUC it's a modern set of equations not designed for garments that don't always fit like modern garments.

I hasten to add that I'm passing this along as hearsay, since I haven't used any of the patterns that require close fitting. I just listen to what other costumers say.

If that's the case, it is probably worth your while to check a few pattern measurements to make sure, for instance, that edges that are supposed to be sewn to each other (and not eased) are the same length. And making at least a partial muslin first is seldom a bad idea ;)

[idaho-smith.livejournal.com]

Nearly all the stuff I've ever made is based on the RH "Cutting Instructions", but this is only the Early Mediaeval "cloth-cylinders and gores" that're only slightly beyond the SCA welcome pamphlet's basic t-tunic. It's not a pattern for the Renaissance's tailored stuff at all. Sorry.