New Costume Pattern: THe Elizabethan Working Woman! (2025 Update)

Apr 30, 2005 Last reply: 8 months ago 5 Replies

Margo Anderson's Historic Costume Patterns is proud to announce the release of yet another historically accurate, highly detailed Elizabethan Pattern!



The Elizabethan Working Woman's Wardrobe Pattern is our first pattern for the lower orders. Who needs this pattern? The thousands of Renaissance women who do NOT portray nobles, and have NOT acquired our original Elizabethan Lady's Ensemble. The ale wenches, shop-women, herbalists, blacksmith's wives, midwives, chambermaids, farmers' wives, and thousands of others. Until now they've been left without a high-standard, historically accurate option. No more -- now there's a more authentic option.



IMPORTANT: THIS IS NOT FINE PRINT! MOST OF THE PIECES IN THE WORKING WOMAN'S WARDROBE ARE ADAPTED FROM SELECTED PIECES IN THE ELIZABETHAN LADY'S ENSEMBLE. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE THE ENSEMBLE -- THE UNDERPINNINGS, WARDROBE, AND ACCESSORIES -- YOU DO NOT NEED THIS NEW PACKAGE.



I'm putting the finishing touches on a set of instructions to adapt the Lady's Ensemble patterns to create the same costumes as the Working Woman's Wardrobe. These instructions will be added to the website in a downloadable form within a few days. The Working Woman's Wardrobe has been created for those who have not chosen to recreate the dress of the upper classes, but want to enjoy the same quality of patterns and documentation as our existing customers.



The pattern has our usual high standards. It's well researched, and comes with a 120 page instruction manual! It includes patterns for a smock, partlet, bodice with lacing and shoulder and wasitline variations, a skirt, two sleeves, three hats, a pouch, and instructions for making an apron and neckcloth. The size range is women's 2-30, and all the sizes are included in each package.



To see it and order, go to

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Thanks!



Margo Anderson


Tut! Margo! NOT alt.sewing - we eat spammers alive here, darling!

I would be inclined to include this more under "information" than under "advertising." How many spam have you ever seen that included anything remotely like "IF YOU ALREADY HAVE THE ENSEMBLE -- THE UNDERPINNINGS, WARDROBE, AND ACCESSORIES -- YOU DO NOT NEED THIS NEW PACKAGE"?

Margo's a sweetie - we probably got it as part of a bulk mail-out put together for her, as it went to other groups that DO permit advertising. She's very helpful with problems and generous with advice. She has a Yahoo group for people using the patterns If anyone wants details, they can get them through her web site, or just ask me.

Kate Dicey wrote in news:4275e2b9$0$83057$ snipped-for-privacy@ptn-nntp-reader01.plus.net:

i *do* have a question... is it possible to make a set of Nobles that *won't* kill one from heat exhaustion in 90F heat with high 90% humidity? or should i stick with lower middle class Irish or Scottish? (not that a wool arisaid is cool & comfy...) i'm *so* not a wench type, even a corset won't give me a figure ;) even

*nursing* didn't. lee

In higher temps even the nobles dressed more simply...

Try a lighter weight corset with less boning, a short sleeved chemise, and sheer sleeves. Couple it with a light weight farthingale and use lighter fabrics for the gown and underskirt. You can weight the hems with chain (as did Coco Chanel!) or curtain weights to make it hang better. Try glazed cottons rather than silks (which can be very tight woven, and windproof!), linens and other light stuffs rather than the heavy velvets and brocades usually used.

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