Customer Rating:
List Price: $39.95
Best Price: $30.27 (new), $31.88 (used)
Availability: New (11), Used (4)
Author: Sarah Thursfield
ISBN: 0896762394
Number of Pages: 224
Publication Date: 2001-10
Publisher: Costume & Fashion Press

Customer Review

The best book on pattern-drafting I've found
by Customer AYGG87WHFA8OI at September 16th, 2007
I love this book, and not just because it's a great primer on medieval clothing. It's also the best book on basic pattern-drafting I've found yet. You'll need a friend for pinning the block (a patient, non-grouchy friend, preferably), but the instructions are incredibly clear and simple. With almost no drafting experience, I was able to draft a very closely-fitting kirtle and cotehardie. The sleeves still need tweaking to fit perfectly, but sleeves are difficult and mine are totally wearable. For a first attempt at sleeve drafting, I'm quite happy (and the fit problems are all in the arm and wrist, not the armscye).

While this book is not comprehensive and I'd recommend supplementing it with other sources (no mention of fur tippets, only tippet style included is a straight band, doesn't include bliauts or much instruction on headwear, no eight-panel cotehardie, no two-piece sleeves, etc.), it's an indispensable primer for patterning and sewing medieval clothing that is suitable for the advanced beginner to intermediate sewer. The book does an admirable job providing an introduction to the clothing of a very broad time period.

To supplement "The Medieval Tailor's Assistant," I'd recommend the Excavations in London series, particularly "Textiles and Clothing" and "Dress Accessories," "Medieval Military Costume," by Gerry Embleton (does include some women's clothing; no patterns), and the annual journal "Medieval Clothing and Textiles," ed. Robin Netherton (volume 1 has an excellent article on fur tippets). A book or two on tablet-weaving might also be of interest for making your own belts and girdles.

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