Historic pattern shapes and details can inspire current fashion design. The Library has purchased many reprints of historical pattern manuals. In addition, recent research has made many more extant garment available for study.
For a more detailed listing of historical pattern layouts, divided by century, see the Fashion and Clothing History guide.
EMc/MS 11/2021, Icon made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com
Dresses and their construction from 1660 to 1860.