Century Patterns make patterns of fashions past for modern people. Our historical dressmaking patterns are copied from rare, antique originals, which are then adjusted to standard modern pattern proportions and graded from Misses’ size 6 to 26 (Bust 30, Waist 22, Hips 32 inches to Bust 48, Waist 40, Hips 50 inches).

One of the highlights of Century Patterns is the printed booklet accompanying each paper pattern. These include:

• Complete step-by-step instructions for cutting, fitting and assembling the garment
• Extensive historical notes documenting each garment and putting them into period context
• Copious technical drawings, period illustrations and diagrams
• Options for personalising and adapting your garment
• Cutting layouts and yardages
• Suggested fabrics, trimmings, haberdashery and acceptable alternatives for period choices where necessary

Instructions and historical notes from Century Patterns’ CP9003 1905 Edwardian Petticoat with Gathered Circular Flounce, available for purchase from Pink Domino on Etsy and Ebay

If you love to learn about the nitty-gritty of period dress, we have you covered! Our research is is first hand and has all sorts of unusual period sewing information and pictures you won’t easily find elsewhere. For the period costume enthusiast, the booklets are a sheer joy to read. We believe they alone are worth the money.

We take care to retain as much of the period fit and silhouette as possible. We recommend the use of corsetry to achieve the correct line for those eras which require it, but we also understand that wearers today may have different proportions, ideals and lifestyles than many women of the past. Our instruction booklets show period techniques for sewing by machine and sewing by hand. If you prefer, you can use the contents page of each pattern as a checklist and substitute your own favourite sewing techniques – we promise not to tell! Historical sewing should be fun.

Pattern and historical notes from Century Patterns’ CP9002 Edwardian Camisole with Straps c1904-1908, available for purchase from Pink Domino on Etsy and Ebay

It is often the little details that really make a garment stand out, both today and in the past. At Century Patterns we delight in discovering and sharing those details with you, the different trimming and styling options, period sewing techniques and nifty tricks to really make your garment sing. Whether you want to sew costumes that are pretty and historically inspired, or reproductions that are completely correct and true to period practice inside and out, our patterns are designed to help you make and wear garments that are beautiful and comfortable, not just a costume but clothing you will love and want to sew and to wear again and again.