WOMEN'S FRONTIER
CLOTHES PATTERNS

The ever growing time of Eagle's View frontier life clothing patterns features complete, easy-to-follow instructions that are clear, concise and well illustrated. Hints on sewing with leather and fur have been included in appropriate patterns, and all of the terns used are defined so that anyone from the novice to the experienced seamstress will be comfortable using them.

All of the items in this pattern were used by the Indians and fur traders. Included are an awl case, fringed bag, knife sheath, mirror pouch, ration card bag, scissors pouch, side fringed pouch and tobacco pouch.

This three-hide dress is typical of the Plains Indian dress worn by the women of many tribes. It may be decorated with beadwork, quillwork, shells, coins, fur, fringing, ribbon, metal cones and/or trade cloth; for everyday use, it was worn without adornment. Included are instructions for a "natural style" that has the legs and natural edges intact, and a 'Tailored style" with long sleeve fringe and cut edges. The pattern features an extensive section on Working with leather. Sizes available from the Pattern are 8 through 20.

The women's cloth accessories pattern includes pockets, kerchief, mob cap and bonnet. Eighteenth century women wore one or two pockets under their apron or skirt for carrying things. These oval bags are tied around the waist with a tape, the slit opening is accessible through openings in the skirt. The pocket is sometimes decorated with embroidery. Kerchiefs come in several sizes and can be worn in a variety of ways: small tied around the neck, medium over the shoulders and tucked in the bodice and large used a shawl. A  mob cap is a simple circular hat that ties with a drawstring around the head.

The under-most garment that was basic to women of the colonial and fur trade eras was the woman's chemise. This could serve as both an undergarment and nightgown and was also called a shift or smock. Traditionally made of fine linen, silk or cotton, the chemise has a gathered scooped neckline and gussets above or below the elbow sleeves.

The woman's bodice or vest was worn over the chemise. The bodice is styled similar to a corset and if made of heavy firm wool, lined and tied snugly, gives much the same effect. Fabrics can match the skirt, be of similar weight, but a contrasting color, or of a stripe or calico in a lighter weight fabric. This fine pattern offers a hip length or a waist length bodice with a pointed front variation so that it may be tailored to individual desires or needs. The bodice is lined for more strength and warmth. Three front closing variations are: ties sewn on both sides of the front, lacing through eyelets on the front or buttons with loop.