3 reviews for Margo Anderson The Elizabethan Lady’s Wardrobe
Rated 4 out of 5
Christine Gorman –
This set, like the underpinnings, is VERY well-researched, and historically accurate. The variations included are enough to make gowns for an entire entourage of Queen Elizabeth and her ladies-in-waiting, as well as at least half an SCA court. For instance, there are four different skirt “views”: one gored, one five-panel (the one I made), and two trained skirts. There are three main bodices, and several attachments for the bodices, such as wings, shoulder-rolls, and skirting. Last but not least, there are many different sleeve-types. The patterns are meant for a fairly experienced seamstress, but with less than a year of sewing under my belt, I was able to make myself an entire outfit in two weeks- and it turned out very well! Another plus is that if you join the creator’s Yahoo group, you’ll be privy to updates, self-confidence boosters, and plenty of help and advice when you need it.
Rated 5 out of 5
Heather Murray –
Overall, a well though-out set of patterns for sizes 2 – 30. Every set comes with a manual with clear directions and pictures. My early version of the manual has a few snafus, but simple use of common sense solved them, and I understand that Ms. Anderson’s Second Edition corrects these. Included are suggestions for fabric, notions, purchased yardage, layout, and ornamentation, as well as basic stitchery. Ms. Anderson also includes short basic discussions of period methods, and provides a solid bibliography at the end of the manual. She discusses the process of construction well, advises a toile, and provides directions for adjusting to acheive a proper fit and silhouette. I highly recommend a toile for any bodice, ESPECIALLY the first time! In addition, read the manual before you start work on the item you’re after. There is some required hand sewing work, but the final product is easily worth the effort. Not recommended for the beginning sewer, unless she learns very fast. Intermediate sewers and up will find her patterns easy to use, and may learn some pointers. An Intermediate sewer is someone who is familiar with their machine or other method of clothing construction, has used it to make clothing, who can’t necessarily draft their own patterns, but understands how to take measurements. This pattern set makes clothing, not a costume, and the finished product is nicely tailored if the sewer takes the time to follow directions.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jana Keeler –
This is an expensive pattern, however, for me it was well drafted and contained easy to follow instructions. You have numerous options how to put this together. I chose the hooked front bodice closure and I used the big coat hook closures, alternating the hook and the eye down the front of the bodice. It is a simple shaped bodice and should work well for even the novice sewer–just be sure to make a muslin to test for fit and the length of the shoulder straps to make sure of a comfortable fit. The beauty of this pattern is that you can embellish as little or as much as you like.
The sleeves are equally as easy and you have about eight different styles to choose from. The skirt is made up of panels of fabrics and then cartridge-pleated into a waistband. I made my own ruff and headdress to complete the outfit and used an existing shirt/blouse I had.
One of the easier patterns I have ever used and if you are more experienced you can have a field day experimenting on your own.
Christine Gorman –
This set, like the underpinnings, is VERY well-researched, and historically accurate. The variations included are enough to make gowns for an entire entourage of Queen Elizabeth and her ladies-in-waiting, as well as at least half an SCA court. For instance, there are four different skirt “views”: one gored, one five-panel (the one I made), and two trained skirts. There are three main bodices, and several attachments for the bodices, such as wings, shoulder-rolls, and skirting. Last but not least, there are many different sleeve-types. The patterns are meant for a fairly experienced seamstress, but with less than a year of sewing under my belt, I was able to make myself an entire outfit in two weeks- and it turned out very well! Another plus is that if you join the creator’s Yahoo group, you’ll be privy to updates, self-confidence boosters, and plenty of help and advice when you need it.
Heather Murray –
Overall, a well though-out set of patterns for sizes 2 – 30. Every set comes with a manual with clear directions and pictures. My early version of the manual has a few snafus, but simple use of common sense solved them, and I understand that Ms. Anderson’s Second Edition corrects these. Included are suggestions for fabric, notions, purchased yardage, layout, and ornamentation, as well as basic stitchery. Ms. Anderson also includes short basic discussions of period methods, and provides a solid bibliography at the end of the manual. She discusses the process of construction well, advises a toile, and provides directions for adjusting to acheive a proper fit and silhouette. I highly recommend a toile for any bodice, ESPECIALLY the first time! In addition, read the manual before you start work on the item you’re after. There is some required hand sewing work, but the final product is easily worth the effort. Not recommended for the beginning sewer, unless she learns very fast. Intermediate sewers and up will find her patterns easy to use, and may learn some pointers. An Intermediate sewer is someone who is familiar with their machine or other method of clothing construction, has used it to make clothing, who can’t necessarily draft their own patterns, but understands how to take measurements. This pattern set makes clothing, not a costume, and the finished product is nicely tailored if the sewer takes the time to follow directions.
Jana Keeler –
This is an expensive pattern, however, for me it was well drafted and contained easy to follow instructions. You have numerous options how to put this together. I chose the hooked front bodice closure and I used the big coat hook closures, alternating the hook and the eye down the front of the bodice. It is a simple shaped bodice and should work well for even the novice sewer–just be sure to make a muslin to test for fit and the length of the shoulder straps to make sure of a comfortable fit. The beauty of this pattern is that you can embellish as little or as much as you like.
The sleeves are equally as easy and you have about eight different styles to choose from. The skirt is made up of panels of fabrics and then cartridge-pleated into a waistband. I made my own ruff and headdress to complete the outfit and used an existing shirt/blouse I had.
One of the easier patterns I have ever used and if you are more experienced you can have a field day experimenting on your own.