I made a mantua a few years back, before the Reconstructing History pattern came out. I had 3 books that featured a mantua and had a layout of the dress, showing the fold lines. I used a regular dress pattern that fit me and overlaid the mantua layout on that. Since it's all draped, pinned, and sewn, rather than cut, I actually had all 3 books laid out next to one another on my ironing board while I did the pinning and fitting. It turned out beautifully, but it was the hardest garment I've ever made.
I recently bought the RC pattern and took out the pattern to made another mantua. Frankly, I couldn't figure the pattern out; the layout made no sense to me; and the instructions didn't help. So, I think what works best for me might not work for others, but I couldn't visualize how the pattern worked, but I COULD look at the diagrams in the books and figure out how those worked. And I work from patterns, and don't drape. PS. Since I'm at work answering this, I don't have the books on hand, but if you want the information, I can look them up later today. I believe one was "The Cut of Women's Clothes." Kathleen Norvell -----Original Message----- From: Deb Salisbury, the Mantua-Maker <[email protected]> To: h-costume <[email protected]> Sent: Mon, May 23, 2011 11:35 pm Subject: [h-cost] seeking help on constructing a mantua I'm passing this request on for Kerry. If you can help her, please contact er at [email protected] --------------------------------------------------------------------- am desperately seeking help on constructing a mantua (1680's). Have you ny experience or know of anyone who has made this type of garment? I have ried Reconstructing History's pattern but it hasn't been very user riendly (to me) and I am getting very discouraged. Yes, we have talked to the pattern makers at Reconstructing History but hey, too, have realized some discrepancies in pattern irections/instructions. I just thought I'd see if I could find someone lse who might have created this kind of garment so as to get a different erspective or learn from their experience. I would appreciate your offer of furthering my email onto your costume list o see what we might be able to find out. ny assistance you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Kerry _______________________________________________ -costume mailing list [email protected] ttp://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
