Year Three - Patterns of Fashion

The Filmer Collection Stitched Stomacher and Stays

In the first module of year three, we entered The Costume Society of Great Britain’s Patterns of Fashion competition. I decided to recreate the Filmer Collection Stitched Stomacher and Stays from 1660. I used Janet Arnold’s Patterns of Fashion 5 to scale up the pattern, aiming to make the piece as close to the original as possible. I worked in crimson silk, hand-sewing everything with blue silk thread and using 2.8mm reed for the boning. I avoided shortcuts and modern changes, focusing on historical accuracy throughout.

This project made me slow down and pay close attention to each step. It helped me connect with the past through the process of making. It was one of the most challenging and rewarding projects I have worked on.