Late Tudor and Elizabethan England
Period Patterns number 56, Late Tudor and Elizabethan Gowns, c. 1545-1610, contains patterns for 3 Late Tudor gowns and 3 Elizabethan gowns. The stomacher, underskirts and undersleeves are not sewn to the gowns (sizes 8-18 included).
This pattern goes well with Period Patterns no. 52, 90, 92 and 93.
The late Tutor period was a time of transition and uncertainty with 3 rulers in 11 years (not to mention Lady Jane Grey, who only ruled for 9 days), and the country endured violent switches from Protestant to Catholic and back to Protestant again.
Woman
Very few new elements of woman's style appeared during Edward's short reign. During Mary's reign, through her marriage to Phillip, Spanish styles (favoring dark colors) were reintroduced, but the basics of the previous styles remained the same, and men's fashions were more flamboyant than women's. The elements of women's styles, including the Spanish farthingale (Period Pattern no. 90), lasted into the 1570's. However, under Elizabeth's rule woman's fashions came to dominate the court. In the 1570's the drum farthingale (Period Patterns #90) radically changed the shape of woman's skirts. Other less sweeping changes also occurred, such as the high standing ruffs. "Elizabethan" styles lasted well after her death in 1603 - the new king saw no reason to pay for new clothes for his queen when Elizabeth had left such an extensive, ornate wardrobe.
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Mediaeval Miscellanea has created copyrighted Period Patterns for sewing authentic period clothing. The patterns, designed by professional costumers, are rigorously researched to ensure historical authenticity. Each package includes complete, full sized cutting patterns in all sizes listed on the envelope (which permits easier custom fitting; sizes are based on standard commercial pattern sizes and can easily be scaled up or down to create additional sizes). Detailed, fully illustrated, step-by-step sewing instructions are provided in addition to general instructions (seam finishes etc.), and most patterns include suggested pattern layout.
Each pattern package contains historical notes with illustrations from contemporary sources providing background information, as well as possible enhancements and variations. On the back of the package additional important information is provided including garment description (with country and approximate dates where possible), sizing, notions and yardage requirements for each size and suggested fabric type for each garment.