Sewing patterns

We offer patterns from various historical eras. The largest selection selection in this direction can be found in the USA, so that we have Patterns from Truly Victorian (Victorian era) and Reconstructing History (various eras). These patterns are therefore only available in English. For the patterns from Butterick and McCall's patterns usually come with German translations. For Truly Victorian some German translations are available and others are in progress. If for translation exists for a cut, this will be indicated in the description. indicated in the description.

Important: You are welcome to send us pictures of the clothes sewn afterwards These can then of course be used under the copyright regulations of the respective article description.

Middle Ages

The historical patterns in the Middle Ages were strongly characterized by social classes, functional needs and regional traditions.

Materials and techniques:

Medieval clothing was mainly made of wool or linen, while silk and fine fabrics were reserved for the upper classes. The cuts were often rectangular or wedge-shaped in order to use the fabric as efficiently as possible. Sewing was done by hand, often with linen thread, and techniques such as the fell seam or the loop stitch were used.

Basic forms of clothing:

• Undergarments: Both men and women wore long, shirt-like undergarments.

• Outerwear: tunics or cottas (wide, knee-length or floor-length garments) were common, often with wedges for more width. Women often wore floor-length dresses with tight-fitting sleeves.

• Sleeve and collar shapes: From slim-cut, close-fitting sleeves to wide trumpet sleeves, fashion has varied over the centuries. Collars were usually round or V-shaped, occasionally decorated with embroidery.

• Coat and overgarments: Coats were usually closed with brooches. The upper classes preferred elaborate patterns with hoods or long slits for mobility.

Differences according to status:

• Peasants wore simple, loose clothing, often made of unbleached linen or wool.

• Nobles and wealthy citizens wore figure-hugging, often laced garments made of fine fabrics with elaborate cuts.

• Clerics and monks wore special, wide-cut cowls or gowns.

Development over the centuries:

While wide, simple garments with few seams were common in the early Middle Ages, more elaborate, body-hugging cuts developed in the High and Late Middle Ages. The High and Late Middle Ages saw the development of more elaborate, body-hugging cuts. Cuts, buttons and inserts became more popular to emphasize the figure.

Renaissance and Tudor

The fashion of the Renaissance and Tudor period (ca. 1485-1603) was sumptuous, structured and characterized by opulent details. Clothing was not only for protection, but was a status symbol - especially at the courts of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I in the British Isles or among the powerful families of the Italian Renaissance.

Renaissance-Patterns: Elegance and symmetry

Renaissance fashion was characterized by clear lines, opulent fabrics and a preference for geometric shapes. Women often wore wide skirts with several layers, combined with tight-fitting, laced tops, so-called corsages or bodices. The sleeves were often detachable and richly decorated with elaborate embroidery or embellishments made of velvet, brocade or silk. For men, doublets and doublets were characteristic - tight-fitting jackets with puffed shoulders, often with decorative slashing to reveal the fabric underneath. Pants, known as pluderhosen or trunk pants, were cut wide and were often combined with tights.

Tudor patterns: Strict silhouettes and opulent details

In Tudor fashion, stiffer, structured dress forms developed. Particularly striking were the strong contrasts between narrow waists and voluminous skirts. voluminous skirts. Women's dresses were shaped by reinforcements such as the Spanish farthingale (hoop skirt), and square necklines on the top, often with a stiff insert (stomacher), created a distinctive look. During this period, men wore elaborately decorated doublets with stiff collars and shoulder pads, often complemented by heavy coats trimmed with fur. The fashionable The fashionable color palette ranged from deep reds and blues to gold and black, often with contrasting embroidery or coats of arms. High, starched frilled collars became the hallmark of Tudor fashion towards the end of the era. During this period, men wore elaborately decorated doublets with stiff collars and shoulder pads, often complemented by heavy coats trimmed with fur. The fashionable color palette ranged from deep reds and blues to gold and black, often with contrasting embroidery or coats of arms.

Historical patterns for Renaissance and Tudor clothing

Today, there are numerous patterns that combine historical authenticity with modern wearability. Particularly popular are:

• Pattern for Renaissance dresses with detachable sleeves, lace-up bodices and wide skirts
• Tudor garments with stiff collars, Spanish farthingales and sumptuous fabrics
• Men's clothing such as breeches, doublets and vests with elaborate details

If you want to sew a historically inspired outfit for reenactment, LARP or cosplay, it's worth using historical sources and tried and tested patterns. Take a look around our range - we have a selection of Renaissance and Tudor patterns that will transport you to the magnificent world of this era!

Patterns of the 17th Century – Baroque fashion full of elegance and pomp

The 17th century was characterized by opulent fashion that flaunted wealth and power. The clothing of the Baroque period (ca. 1600-1700) was characterized by elaborate embellishments, sumptuous fabrics and dramatic silhouettes. While fashion in the early period was still influenced by the stiff elegance of the Renaissance, softer, more flowing forms with elaborate draping and ornate details developed over the course of the century.

Baroque women's fashion - volume and sophistication

Women's fashion was characterized by opulent gowns with richly decorated fabrics. Characteristic of this period were:

• The manteau - a long, openly worn overskirt draped with a train and lavish pleats
• Wide skirts with hooped skirts (early period) or underframe made of stiffened fabric panels
• Long, close-fitting sleeves with lace cuffs
• Deep, often heart-shaped or square necklines, frequently decorated with fine embroidery or lace
• Lace-up bodices (corsets) that supported an upright posture

Under Louis XIV in particular, women's fashion became increasingly elaborate, with embroidered fabrics, golden brocades and ornate pearl decorations.

Menswear - sumptuous fabrics and voluptuous silhouettes

Men's clothing in this era was also extravagant and characterized by rich details. Typical items of clothing were:

• The doublet - a fitted top with accentuated shoulders and often decorated with silk ribbons and lace
• Rhine trousers (hose à la rhéne) - wide-cut, often knee-length trousers with ruffles, reminiscent of a skirt
• Die Justaucorps (späte Barockzeit) – ein langer, knielanger Gehrock mit schmaler Taille, der die späteren Fräcke beeinflusste
• Justaucorps (late Baroque period) - a long, knee-length frock coat with a narrow waist that influenced later tailcoats
• Boots with wide cuffs or buckled shoes

The colors of the clothing ranged from deep jewel tones to gold, silver and luxurious pastel shades - always combined with high-quality fabrics such as brocade, velvet and silk.

Baroque patterns for historical garments

For all those who want to sew an authentic outfit for reenactment, theater, LARP or historical festivals, there are numerous patterns that recreate the style of the 17th century. Particularly popular are:

• Manteau patterns for women that recreate the elegant draping and baroque sweep
• Lace-up bodices and crinolines that emphasize the silhouette of the era
• Justaucorps and Rheingrafen pants for men to create the elegant court style of the Baroque era
• Accessories such as baroque lace collars or jabots to complete the look

Baroque fashion was an expression of power, elegance and splendor - with the right patterns, you can incorporate this impressive era into your sewing projects. Men's fashion during the Thirty Years' War was referred to as was called soldier's fashion, as the Dutch officer was considered the model for a fashionable gentleman. Later, fashion was based on the court of the French King Louis XIV. At the beginning of the Baroque period, women still wore pleated dresses with tight sleeves and lace cuffs. Later, fashion here was also inspired by the French royal court and the royal court and developed, for example, the manteau, a dress with a puffed back and a train dress with a train that was low-cut at the waist.

Rococo patterns - elegance and opulence of the 18th century

The 18th century was a time of opulence and refined elegance, especially in fashion. Inspired by the sumptuous courts of Europe, above all Versailles, the clothing of this era was characterized by elaborate silhouettes, rich embellishments and elaborate draping. Typical of the Rococo period was the robe à la française with its characteristic cotton pleats at the back, which fell gracefully over the crinoline (panier). These gowns were adorned with embroidery, ruffles and lace, while precious fabrics such as silk, brocade and taffeta dominated. Another iconic garment was the robe à l'Anglaise, a somewhat simpler version with a closer-fitting back.

Men's fashion in the 18th century was also characterized by elegance: The justaucorps, a long jacket with rich trimming, was combined with a vest and breeches.

Would you like to immerse yourself in the world of rococo? Our historical patterns will help you to create authentic costumes for historical re-enactments, LARP or special occasions. Be inspired by 18th century fashion and sew your own piece of history!

Empire & Regency patterns - elegance of the early 1800s

The fashion of the late 18th and early 19th centuries was characterized by a return to the natural silhouette and inspired by antiquity. In contrast to the sweeping Rococo gowns, the clothing of the Empire and Regency periods focused on simple elegance, flowing fabrics and high waistlines.

The typical dress of this era, often referred to as an Empire gown, had a high waist just below the bust and was usually made of light fabrics such as muslin or fine cotton. Long, narrow skirts with subtle gathers and delicate embroidery were particularly popular. During the day, the dresses were combined with spencer jackets or scarves, while richly decorated styles with short puffed sleeves and elegant gloves dominated in the evening.

Men's fashion also changed: the tailored tailcoat with a stand-up collar, combined with a vest and narrow pants, was the stylish trademark of the Regency gentleman.

Our historical patterns allow you to recreate the timeless beauty of this era yourself - perfect for historical events, Jane Austen balls or LARP.

Patterns from the Victorian and Biedermeier eras - romance, elegance and opulent silhouettes

The 19th century was a time of great fashion changes. Clothing not only reflected social change, but also emphasized the female silhouette in ever new ways through sophisticated cuts and elaborate details. While the Biedermeier period (ca. 1815-1848) was known for its delicate, romantic designs, the various phases of Victorian fashion (1837-1901) were characterized by dramatic and opulent styles with increasingly complex shapes.

The fashion of the Biedermeier period (1815-1848)

After the simple, classically inspired Empire dresses, the Biedermeier period brought a return to playful femininity and voluminous shapes. Characteristic was the high, narrow waist, which was emphasized by wide, puffed sleeves (so-called “gigot sleeves” or club sleeves). The skirt was bell-shaped and was reinforced by several underskirts.

Fabrics were often richly patterned, with floral designs, embroidery or fine lace trimmings. Day dresses had high collars and long sleeves, while lower necklines and transparent sleeves were popular for the evening. Women also wore shawl collars, small jackets or the fashionable “pelerines” - wide shoulder collars made of fabric or lace.

Victorian fashion (1837-1901)

With Queen Victoria's accession to the throne in 1837, fashion gradually changed. While the early years were still characterized by the Biedermeier style, various distinctive silhouettes developed over the coming decades:

• 1840s & 1850s: the waist became even more emphasized, skirts became wider and reached their maximum width in the 1850s through the use of the crinoline (a hoop-reinforced petticoat). Bodices were often laced to create a narrow hourglass figure.
• 1860s: Skirts became flatter at the sides and more voluminous at the back. Lush draping, trimmings and lace decorations added elegant accents.
• 1870s & 1880s – the bustle era: The crinoline gave way to the bustle, a padded substructure that shifted the volume to the back. Dresses took on an almost sculptural appearance with sophisticated draping, peplums and trains.
• 1890s:Fashion became simpler again and sleeves became extremely voluminous again (“mutton sleeves”). The skirt fell smoother and tighter around the hips, making the look more modern.

Men's fashion in the 19th century

Men's fashion also changed from the colorful, figure-hugging tailcoats of the early century to a simpler, more austere elegance. The frock coat and later the cutaway (a frock coat with a curved front) dominated the scene, with high-necked vests and ties being worn. In the late phase of the Victorian era, the classic three-piece suit finally prevailed.

Sew yourself a piece of history!

Our historical patterns allow you to sew authentic clothing from the Biedermeier and Victorian eras. Whether for historical presentations, re-enactments, Victorian tea parties or steampunk events - with the right patterns, you can bring the elegance of the 19th century back to life.

Modern / 20th Century

The 20th century brought with it a multitude of fashion changes that were influenced by social developments, wars and technological advances. Cuts changed radically from decadent dresses of the 1900s to minimalist fashion at the end of the century.

1900-1919: Edwardian Fashion & Wartime

• At the beginning of the century, lace-up S-corset silhouettes with narrow waists and flared skirts dominated.
• Around 1910, Empire cuts with high waists became fashionable, inspired by antique fashion.
• During the First World War (1914-1918), more practical, simpler cuts were preferred, with shorter skirts and less ornate dresses.

Celtic

Celtic fashion is characterized by a fascinating mixture of historical finds and artistic interpretations. Anyone interested in authentic Celtic garments or wanting to create a fantasy costume in Celtic style will find a selection of high-quality patterns at Reconstructing History. The company is known for its detailed research and accurate reconstructions of historical clothing - including for the Celtic era.

What is Celtic clothing?

The Celts lived in different regions of Europe for centuries, which is why there was no uniform “Celtic fashion”. However, some characteristics appear again and again in depictions and archaeological finds:

• Long tunics and robes: both men and women often wore long, loose tunics made of wool or linen.
• Bracae (pants): Celtic men in particular wore narrow, often patterned pants that were very characteristic of their time.
• Plaids und and cloaks: Large, checked or plain-colored woolen cloths served as a warming cloak and were fastened with brooches.
• Elaborate embellishments: Knot and spiral patterns, embroidery and borders were popular decorations.

Oriental

Oriental includes styles from Eastern Europe to East Asia. Reconstructing History offers styles with historical clothing from:

• Poland
• Ottoman Empire
• Persia
• Japan
• India

Cosplay

Cosplay was a series from McCall's with patterns for fantasy role-playing games or freely interpreted historical costumes. The series has now been discontinued and the remaining stock is being sold off.