Costume History Books | Reading for Sewing the Past

🍂 Since autumn is upon us. It is time to sit inside with a cosy book and a cup of something warm ☕.
Reading costume history books, or fashion history books, is a great way to learn something new or to get in the mindset for making your own creations. Whether connecting with primary sources to learn the authentic tips and techniques; or utilising the convenient compiled knowledge of secondary sources.

This video is a list of some of my favourite historical costuming books. They are a mix of primary and secondary sources. A variety of sewing instructional and reference books covering a wide range of history. Mostly covering 18th to 19th century with some Victorian reprints but with a sprinkling of Medieval Norse. Hopefully they will aid you in your journey to sewing the past.

Below are a list of the books in this video with bookshop.org links to each. Bookshop.org support local bookshops and are my preference when buying books and avoiding certain mega-corporations.

Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

How to Read a Suit: A Guide to Changing Men's Fashion from the 17th to the 20th Century - Lydia Edwards:
https://uk.bookshop.org/a/9041/9781350071209


Household Sewing with Home Dressmaking - Bertha Banner:
https://uk.bookshop.org/a/9041/9785519692151


Authentic Victorian Dressmaking Techniques - Kristina Harris:
https://uk.bookshop.org/a/9041/9780486404851


The Keystone Jacket and Dress Cutter - Charles Hecklinger:
https://uk.bookshop.org/a/9041/9785518774711


The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking: How to Hand Sew Georgian Gowns and Wear Them With Style - Lauren Stowell & Abby Cox:
https://uk.bookshop.org/a/9041/9781624144530


The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty: 40 Projects for Period-Accurate Hairstyles, Makeup and Accessories - Lauren Stowell & Abby Cox with Cheyney McKnight:
https://uk.bookshop.org/a/9041/9781624147869


Medieval Garments Reconstructed: Norse Clothing Patterns - Lilli Fransen, Anna Nørgård and Else Østergård:
https://uk.bookshop.org/a/9041/9788779342989


Patterns of Fashion 1 (reprint) - Janet Arnold:
https://shop.theschoolofhistor....icaldress.org.uk/pro


Patterns of Fashion 5 - Janet Arnold:
https://shop.theschoolofhistor....icaldress.org.uk/pro


Charles Hecklinger and Bertha Banner's books are also available on archive.org:
https://archive.org/details/keystonejacketdr00heck

https://archive.org/details/ho....useholdsewing00banng

Timestamps:
00:00 - 00:40 Welcome
00:40 - 03:50 Patterns of Fashion
03:50 - 06:10 How to Read a Suit
06:10 - 09:45 American Duchess Guide to 18th Century
09:45 - 12:43 Needlework and Cutting Out
12:43 - 13:37 Household Sewing with Home Dressmaking
13:37 - 15:25 Authentic Dressmaking Techniques
15:25 - 18:00 The Keystone Jacket and Dress Cutter
18:00 - 21:00 Medieval Garments Reconstructed: Norse Clothing
21:00 - 22:21 Closing Thoughts

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#FashionHistory #CostumeHistory #FallReading