Patterns of Fashion Paperback – December 1, 1982

Lost my first copy of this book in a flood. I have the others in the set, but this one is THE book for so many reasons. Have been looking for this book for a dozen years, used - in the right condition and in the right price range. Finally found it and got it and am SO HAPPY my Janet Arnold collection is complete again. Yay!

This was in better condition than I expected from the description. It arrived quickly.

I adore Janet Arnold. She was usually the only one permitted to wear white gloves, examine the museums clothing and take careful measurements and draw full scale patterns. I have been making museum replicas for the SCA since that first Birthday party in 1966. Who would have know that they would still be so popular today. Thank you for carrying most of her work.

It's a wonderful book, full of great patterns, beautiful designs, and a lot of useful information.

I have been waiting for this book for a long time. it is every thing I hoped for, very detailed and easy to embrace. Thanks.

Great source of inspiration. Wish there were more conscise patterns.

Great tool! Excellent up close views of costumes you would not normally be able to inspect.

Valuable resource

Have been wanting this book for ages, ever since I found it (+ others in the series) in the reference section of our local library. I couldn't justify buying at the time as it was too expensive new, but I purchased a 'pre-loved' one and it arrived in excellent condition. It's brilliant for theatrical costumes and fancy dress as there are basic pattern diagrams for most of the pictures than can be drawn out on a larger scale on dressmaker's drafting paper. Lots of historical information too and much cheaper than buying commercial patterns!

I repeat the remarks I made for the 2 books above. All three are excellent. I only wish I had the money, time and energy to make all the costumes and conduct a mannequin show to show them off. I am going to a Southern Counties Costume Society AGM on Saturday, 1st March 2014 and I am looking forward to seeing the Eleanor of Teledo dress which I understand will be shown on a live model and a talk given by Sarah Bartlett. I am wondering if she used a Janet Arnold pattern or created it herself. I was fascinated with the 1920s dresses in this book. They must have looked quite stunning in the materials used. I am wondering if Janet has done anything on the 1960s?

For me this is 5 stars, if you want to recreate an historical piece, you will need a good understanding of how dressmaking and pattern making work. But it is possible. Fascinating facts about fashion evolution.

Such a great item! My husband bought me this for Christmas and it is invaluable! Can’t wait to get more of Janet Arnold’s books

I first saw a copy of this series of books back in the early 1980's studying Theatre Design. They are a fantastic source of information about period styles and lines with examples of original patterns. Put together by a costume designer, I think they are a must have for people interested in costume and history.