All posts tagged: pattern draping

Ninon’s dress: draping and fitting the bodice

I used three main sources to drape and bone the under-bodice for my 1660’s gown: the patterns for the 1660’s bodice in the downloadable book on 17th fashion (in German, which I don’t read, but ‘pattern’ is a universal language!), Janet Arnold’s 1660 bodice pattern, and the under-bodice pattern in Corsets and Crinolines. The German bodice was the most helpful, as it is almost exactly like the bodice I want to make, and it has the boning patterns.  If you do download the book for yourself, I believe the pattern is on page 232. Janet Arnold’s pattern was also helpful in the initial drafting, because her scale is so easy to use. Unfortunately, it’s only easy in some ways – Arnold notes that the bodice pattern drapes over a fully boned foundation, but doesn’t provide a boning layout or tell you if the under-bodice has the same seams as the over bodice.  Grrrr! Anyway, using a combination of Arnold and the German pattern, I draped a pattern.  I was very daring and did it straight …