16th & 17th Century Resources
Websites for Study
Elizabethancostume.net
One of the longest running websites for historical costume, Elizabethancostume.net has always been a fantastic place to find some of the most fascinating content related to the early-modern era and beyond. From dye-work, to sewing, lifestyle and many other topics, their site is truly top-notch.
Kostym.cz
This fantastic Czech website has images of many, many extant garments, some of which you might not find anywhere else on the web. It is run by people who have a deep and passionate interest in clothing of the past and you can really tell by the love they’ve put into the online experience.
Their site isn’t limited to only 16th century clothing either. You will find 15th Century, 16th and 17th century pieces throughout the site as well as reproductions and costume pieces based on the extant garments on the site.
I highly recommend this site, it is a joy to explore.
The Tudor Tailor
Among the best known and most loved authors of historical clothing books are Jane Malcolm-Davies and Ninya Mikhaila of The Tudor Tailor. Long before we at The Modern Maker ever thought to write books about historical dress, they were putting out some of the most inspirational and well-researched content available. With an emphasis on making, but with a strong academic bent, these two have helped countless enthusiasts make excellent and beautiful historical clothing. Their attention to details of material culture and class differences continue to invite people to think in more dynamic ways about what these clothes represent, how they should work and why they were worn.
Further Reading
Patterns of Fashion 3: 1560-1620
This book, written by Janet Arnold (of sainted memory) is one of the most beloved of 16th/17th century clothing construction books on the market. It is now published by the School of Historical Dress which is helmed by Tony award-winning costume designer, Jenny Tiramani. The books put out by The School of Historical Dress are among the best you will be able to find. The suit in the photo above is one that is covered in this book.
17th Century Men’s Dress Patterns
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. The beautiful suit above is one that is covered in this amazing book.
The Modern Maker Vol. 2
Written by Mathew Gnagy, this book offers a pattern drafting system based very closely on a system that was in use during the 16th through 18th centuries. It takes you step by step through the process of understanding the system, making the tools and drafting dozens of patterns for men and women.