Two New Books with Victorian Clothing Patterns

Lavolta Press has just published _Fashions of the Gilded Age_, a
two-volume anthology edited by Frances Grimble. _Fashions of the Gilded
Age_ contains a complete wardrobe of authentic women's styles. The 343
patterns and 798 illustrations were selected from numerous scarce
original sources and meticulously edited for this anthology. One major
source is a German pattern book, translated into English for the first
time. It includes patterns to be enlarged with apportioning scales
(special rulers that enable you to produce custom sizes without doing
arithmetic). Another is 112 issues of _Harper's Bazar_ with their
pattern supplements.

Volume 1 contains patterns for corsets (one is an Aesthetic corset,
called the Japanese Corset), bustles, lingerie, skirts, day bodices,
evening bodices, overskirts, polonaises, and day dresses. Volume 2
focuses on evening dresses, ball gowns, wedding dresses, riding habits,
bathing costumes, and outerwear (one pattern is for a Worth mantle). It
also includes millinery, accessories of all types, and needlework
trimmings created by such techniques as embroidery and crochet. Each
pattern is accompanied by practical instructions, and often by an
exquisite fashion plate. Extensive quotes from numerous fashion
magazines and etiquette manuals give in-depth information on
construction, materials, trimmings, and wardrobe planning. Volume 2
includes an illustrated 87-page manual, created for this book, on 1870s
and 1880s dressmaking and millinery techniques.

Although enthusiasts will want both volumes, each can be purchased and
used independently. For even greater variety most pattern components,
such as bodices and overskirts, can be exchanged with those from other
patterns.

_Fashions of the Gilded Age_, like our other books on historic costume,
can be ordered from Lavolta Press at 20 Meadowbrook Drive, San
Francisco, CA 94132, USA. There is more information (including tables
of contents) and an order form on our web site,
http://www.lavoltapress.com.

_Fashions of the Gilded Age, Volume 1
Undergarments, Bodices, Skirts, Overskirts, Polonaises,
and Day Dresses 1877-1882_
Edited and with additional material by Frances Grimble
Publication date: Available now
8 1/2" x 11" quality paperback
469 pages
200 line illustrations
160 patterns
Glossary, bibliography, 2 indexes, apportioning scales, metric
conversion table
ISBN: 0-9636517-5-7
$49 for volume 1 only (plus sales tax for California purchasers); this
is 31 cents per pattern
$4 shipping (for book post within the US)
$6 shipping for both volumes together

_Fashions of the Gilded Age, Volume 2
Evening, Bridal, Sports, Outerwear, Accessories, and Dressmaking
1877-1882_
Edited and with additional material by Frances Grimble
Publication date: Available now
8 1/2" x 11" quality paperback
541 pages
598 line illustrations
184 patterns
Glossary, bibliography, 2 indexes, apportioning scales, metric
conversion table
ISBN: 0-9636517-6-5
$49 for volume 2 only (plus sales tax for California purchasers); this
is 27 cents per pattern
$4 shipping (for book post within the US)
$6 shipping for both volumes together