The Great Pattern Review
Fantasy Fashions
#001 - Renaissance Maiden
Denisen Hartlove - Highly Recommended
I made the chemise and bodice using Children's size 1-3. I can't say enough about how easy this pattern is to put together. It was almost embarrassingly simple to create a chemise and bodice for my daughter, Katie, in about 3 hours time total (including time for cutting down one of my own skirts and adding trim to same). Two pattern pieces, total, to cut for the bodice: one for the one-piece bodice and another for the 2 straps; and two for the chemise: body and sleeves. The outfit fit nicely, if running a little short in the body which I could have easily remedied if I'd been paying enough attention. Really, fitting a 2-year old is something akin to feeding a cat a pill. The trick, I've found, is to get 'em when they're brushing their teeth and thus relatively immobile. A note for sewers re: skirts and bodices. Young children have NO HIPS with which to hold up a skirt. Accordingly, safety pins or a couple of quick stitches do nicely to keep the skirt from falling, by simply attaching it to either the bodice or the chemise. Photo at right.
Janet Canning - Highly Recommended
Good for beginners. I wanted the sleeves of the chemise to be much blousier so I cut them wider and got exactly the result I wanted. The bodice is easy to adjust; the side seams allow it to be taken in or let out easily.
Tracey Miller - Recommended
I've used Renaissance Maiden pattern to make several bodices in different sizes and I was very happy with the way they turned out. The pattern includes a chemise, skirt, and cap.
#002 - Headwear Extraordinaire
Frannie Germeshausen - Highly Recommended
I made "Cindy's Bonnet." It was very easy. Two pattern pieces. The brim is stiffened with iron-on heavy interfacing. (This did affect the texture of my fabric.) Most of the seams curve gently, but if a beginner goes slowly, there shouldn't be a problem. The bonnet has a deeper brim than the picture suggests, and is very sweet.
Janet Canning - Highly Recommended, especially for beginners.
Very easy. All of these patterns work well.
#003 - Dashing Doublets
Sheri Jurnecka - Highly Recommended
Simple pattern to fit. Results look very much like the illustration. Doug Williams is wearing the doublet made by Sheri in the photo on the right.
Sue Toorans - Recommended
Very easy. The Doublet construction has a moment of magic when, with a flick of the wrist, it goes from a jumbled wad of fabric to a Doublet with all the seams enclosed. I believe tailors call it "bagging the lining".
#004 - Paned Slops & Breeches
Sue Toorans - Recommended
Very easy. The Paned Slops go together well. When done in grey, the codpiece looks much like a mouse. I actually added ears and button eyes -- too cute. The combined patterns (Doublet and Slops) called for more fabric than was needed; a disturbing amount more, when using expensive fabric.
Tracy Benton - Recommended, but not for beginners.
I made the Easy Breeches option from this pattern. Step One was to make your own pattern out of one the other pattern pieces. There were not particular directions other than to do it. Sadly, this is where I made my big mistake. The pattern shows you how to adjust for waist size on the breeches but, does not show you how to measure or adjust for the rise. Having never made pants before, I didn't know how to do it and viola! Hip hugger breeches! I think this pattern is a fine set of guidelines for an experienced sewer but, it is a little on scanty size for anyone else.