Here at Prairie Flower Historical, our main goal and focus is the furtherment of mid 19th century living history and providing much needed resources to living historians. This means we are pleased to not only recommend our own patterns, but also patterns from other pattern makers, even when their work covers the same aspects of our own. We have curated lists of appropriate patterns on ThreadLoop for your pursual. Please email prairie.flower.historical@gmail.com if you know of any patterns you think ought to be added to these lists! LISTS ARE A WORK IN PROGRESS. LINKS MAY NOT WORK AT THIS TIME. JUST KNOW I AM GETTING TO IT.
Women
Excellent
This group of patterns is designed specifically for living history 1855-1865 that are in the “excellent” category-meaning they are drafted or traced from original garments and/or dressmaking manuals and therefore have accurate shapes and styles. Sewing instructions are authentic to the time period without modern “short cuts”.
Great
This group of patterns is designed specifically for living history 1855-1865 that are in the “great” category-meaning they are drafted or traced from original sources such as patents or they are drafted with authentic lines in mind by pattern makers who know the era quite well. These patterns have accurate shapes and styles. Sewing instructions are authentic to the time period without modern “short cuts”.
Good
This group of patterns is designed specifically for living history 1855-1865 that are in the “good” category-meaning they have period lines and may be initially designed by a person who has knowledge in the time period but the instructions have been modified for the modern seamstress, contain modern “short cuts”, or otherwise do not share original sewing techniques. These patterns are usable if the seamstress or tailor knows period techniques and is able to discard the instructions and make up the patterns correctly.
Fair
This group of patterns is designed specifically for living history 1855-1865 that are in the “fair” category-meaning they have some semblance of period lines but the original drafter/pattern maker may not have extensive knowledge in the period therefore some lines may be off, grainlines may differ from period norms, etc. Sewing instructions may be period authentic or may contain modern “short cuts” or techniques from other eras. These patterns may be salvageable if the seamstress or tailor knows period lines and techniques and is able to discard instructions and also redraft or adapt the pattern pieces to more accurate lines.
Children
Because historic children’s patterns are so rare, it isn’t possible to split them up into excellent, great, etc. Therefore, we have picked patterns that are in the excellent to great categories and compiled them by age group and gender. Patterns range from 1800-1899 so be sure to be extra diligent in checking the appropriate time frame for each pattern.