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Created
in 1976 as a means to provide accurate period costume for The Wisconsin
Historical Society’s historic site guides,
Patterns of History is a series of 12 patterns--10 women’s
dresses, one men’s suit, and a bustle--precision drafted from
original nineteenth-century garments in the Society’s costume
collection.
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Guides
wearing reproduction costumes at two of the
Wisconsin Historical Society's sites: Pendarvis
(left), an 1840s site, and Villa Louis (right),
an 1890s mansion. |
In
1992 Patterns of History improved its pattern format. Now
step-by-step instructions are well illustrated with
easy-to-follow drawings. The instruction guides lucidly describe
historically-accurate sewing techniques, though modern
alternatives are offered on some steps. The envelopes list
appropriate fabrics, colors, and color combinations culled from
nineteenth-century magazines. Modern fabric suggestions are also
made. Information on the garment’s fashion era, as well as
suggestions about appropriate hair and hat styles, accessories,
and underclothing are made in the illustrated “Period Notes”
that follow the instructions.
Seven
of the patterns are now in this new format. The remaining five
original patterns will be discontinued or reprinted in the new
format eventually.
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1896
Walking Suit pattern in the new format |
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