B uilding on one basic bodice pattern Ambrose suggests different trim that will change the attitude, style and period of the garment. A Victorian Bodice is achieved by adding a high neck and leg o’ mutton sleeve. Rococo bodices from the 1770s are created for different events: dinner, garden, travel or party. Adaptations for Restoration 1650s create different classes: peasant, upper class, court, travel. The 1600 Elizabethan looks include court, merchant, upper class, and peasant. Additional sleeve treatments for the 15th-16th centuries are also included.

Pages
48
Size
4 x 6 in.
ISBN-13
9780896761315
ISBN-10
0-89676-131-2
$8.95
Amazon Reviews:
“A concise reference for the Theatrical Costumer. This book is great for the person limited on time and space for costumes. It shows how to transform a basic shape into several different looks depending on the details. Elizabethan, Rococo, Restoration and some Victorian are all covered briefly. Don’t be shocked about how small it is. There is a lot compacted into this little reference guide.”
“The Little Bodice Book shows how to take a mid-20th century bodice pattern with bust darts and decorate it to give the impression of historical style. This is a fine book for school and community theater.”
“Excellent for amateur costumers. Covers basic bodice construction thoroughly with enough detail in the instruction to support basic theater or festival-type needs. Shows in black/white, hand-drawn diagrams how to modify the basic pattern to depict different classes of bodices, in the eras of 1600 (Elizabethan), 1650 (Restoration), 1770 (Rococo), and Victorian.”