Comments on: Bringing a Fashion Plate to Life

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 00:30:31 +0000

In reply to Bernice Chong. I recommend either drafting a pattern to match what you see in the fashion plate or finding a published pattern that is similar to start with and tweak to the plate design from there.

By: Bernice Chong

Bernice Chong — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 22:06:19 +0000

Jennifer, when you bring a fashion illustration/plate into real life, do we have to make the pattern of the garment first, and copy the dress

By: Regency Corded Corset

Regency Corded Corset — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 23:17:24 +0000

[…] that my figure is SO not like those we see in the early 1800 fashion plates. (But none of us look like a fashion plate so we just need to concentrate on emphasizing the assets we do […]

By: Tracey Meeten

Tracey Meeten — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 00:13:57 +0000

My friend and I challenged each other to make a dress from a single fashion plate with 2 dresses on it. We chose the plate and have made the dresses. It was the first time I draped and drafted an 1880’s pattern. Worked out a dream and was a fun challenge. I am now more adventurous in my dressmaking as I have learnt not to follow the pattern but make my own way to the end.

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 14:23:01 +0000

In reply to Sara. Yay! Best of luck as you start making your dream costumes! :-D

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 02:31:33 +0000

Thank you for this excellent article! I have always wanted to try this (all of my historical dresses have been made from patterns and only altered to fit my height and corsetted shape). There are so many details, particularly the one about figuring out the dimensions of neck to waist, waist to knees etc.) There is so much good material in this article that I feel I have a real jumping off point for making a dress from a fashion plate that I have been drooling over for years!

By: Michaela

Michaela — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 16:52:25 +0000

In reply to Jennifer Rosbrugh. Christin C., there is a website called Hathitrust.org that is packed with fashion magazines! Search for Godeys or Petersons, and you can often find the description that goes with the plate as well.

By: 1875 Scotch & Soda Dinner Dress

1875 Scotch & Soda Dinner Dress — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 17:17:46 +0000

[…] sure which came first – finding the silk tartan fabric or happening upon the fashion plate that I copied. I want to say the plate as I fell in love immediately and knew THAT was the design for my […]