A few things to consider before you purchase one of our patterns
***All Revival Clothing Patterns, both digital and print book formats, are FINAL SALE and not eligible for exchange or refunds***
Please note: our patterns are adapted from our original, industrial grade production patterns so they contain only the minimal markings used by professional production sewers and are intended for intermediate and advanced sewers. The instructions are a basic guide and written with the intent that the user understands patterns and clothing construction terminology and techniques. That said, we have used these patterns for many years in actual production, so they are vetted in terms of sizing and accuracy.
For the Printed Version:
This comes in the form of a spiral bound book with instructions followed by the pattern pages. To use, you cut out the pattern pages and tape them together for a full size pattern. For the sized patterns, all sizes are nested together. If you want use more than one size, you will need to trace the individual size onto semi transparent paper, like tracing paper, and use that to cut out the fabric.
For the Digital Version:
You will need access to Adobe Acrobat Reader version X or later in order to open the file and a printer.
In addition, in order to make large format patterns available to the home sewer, the patterns have been converted to a ’tiled’ .pdf which means, you will print many individual 8.5″ x 11″ pages and tape them together to make the full sized pattern.
- After you purchase the pattern, you will receive an confirmation email with a link to download an encrypted .PDF, that includes instructions and the pattern itself. Thefiles may only be downloaded once. Please make sure we have the correct email with your order and we are on your spam whitelist – we cannot resend the email as it contains a unique link for you to use.
- Within a business day(M-F) we will send you a confirmation email with the password to open the document
- All Revival Clothing Patterns, both digital and print book formats, are FINAL SALE and not eligible for exchange or refunds
A note about sharing – PLEASE DON’T SHARE THESE FILES, copy the pattern or use it to produce items for sale. We are a small company, hoping to share our experience and ideas with you, in order to help you make beautiful, authentic, well-fitting medieval clothing. This pattern is intended for personal use by a single customer and we have priced it accordingly. Abuse of the user agreement will negatively affect our ability to continue to provide this service. We have spent a couple decades researching and perfecting our patterns and we are trusting you to use them in the spirit they are intended. So please, honor our single user policy and help us continue to serve the greater re-enactment community.
Size Chart
Note: In our women’s clothes we’ve abandoned ‘standard’, modern sizing because it is far from standard, and tends to cause more confusion than provide accurate information. So, please judge your size by your chest and waist measurements. We do not give waist and hip measurements because the kirtle  is an ‘A’ line style and flares out from the bust so that fit at the hip is generally not an issue.
| Size | Bust Measurement | |
| 2 | 36 | |
| 3 | 40 | |
| 4 | 46 | |
| 5 | 50 | |
| 6 | 56 |
We are pleased to offer our medieval kirtle, a simple, elegant linen gown that pulls on without lacing. Medieval artwork of the 10th – 14th centuries often depicts simple, smooth gowns with tapered sleeves and full skirts. In the 12th and 13th century, this gown is often worn as a simple overdress by common women and wealthy ladies as well being used as an under gown with apron dresses, bliauts and pendant sleeved gowns. In the later 14th and 15th centuries the kirtle remains an overdress for commoners, while being depicted beneath the cotehardies, sideless surcoats, and houppelandes of the high born. Very often these images show under gowns of widely contrasting colors so use your imagination when choosing yours!
This versatility and long period of use makes our kirtle perfect for many different periods and portrayals. Wear it as an undergown with our popular Apron Dress, bliaut, scoop-sleeve dress , half-sleeve gown, or our new houppelande, to look the part of a well-born lady, or on its own, perhaps with a hood, thin belt and linen chemise for the simpler fashions of the 13th century. Finally, whatever your period of choice, the kirtle is the perfect solution on hot, summer days, where you keep cool while still maintaining the proprieties of a lady!
The kirtle’s neckline is shaped to peek out from the neckline of your gown so that it can be seen beneath the overdress. The sleeves are slightly fitted to avoid bunching when worn with an overdress and provide a slight flare at the wrist for that distinctly medieval flare. As with our plain, white linen underdress our kirtle is fitted to the bust and then flares outward, ending just above the floor so that it fits smoothly under your gown without interfering with your train.
Drawing after a detail of the Romance of Alexander, MS. Bodley 264, circa 1340 in the Bodeleian Library, Oxford, England
Drawing after Le Tres Riches Heures of Jean Duc de Berry circa 1413 in the Bibliotheque du Musee Conde, Chantilly, France
Drawing after Le Tres Riches Heures of Jean Duc de Berry circa 1413 in the Bibliotheque du Musee Conde, Chantilly, France
Drawing after Le Tres Riches Heures of Jean Duc de Berry circa 1413 in the Bibliotheque du Musee Conde, Chantilly, France
Drawing after an illuminated manuscript Cod. ser. nov. 2644, folio 34r
Drawing after Book of Hours for Rome Use, MS M.287, fol.64v, circa 1445 in The Free Library of Philadelphia, Rare Book Department, Pennsylvania, USA
Drawing after the Maciejowski Bible circa 1250 in the Pierpont Morgan Libary, New York, USA
Drawing after the Maciejowski Bible circa 1250 in the Pierpont Morgan Libary, New York, USA
Three views of our Linen Kirtle in Soft Gold
Our Linen Kirtle in purple worn as an overdress with a Turret Hat or Short Tailed Hood and Decorated Belt
Our Linen Kirtle in burgundy worn under our Linen Surcoat and with our Linen Fillet, Barbette and Turret Hat“>Linen Tasseled Pouch
Two views of our Linen Kirtle in dark green worn as an overdress with a reversible silk hood and Thin Medieval Belt
Two views of our Linen Kirtle in Black worn with a blue Linen Frontlaced Gown, Decorated Belt, and Flemish Hood (on left) and Turban (on right)
Our Linen Kirtle with Rectangle Veil and Market Bag
From Left:
-our linen Viking tunic in burgundy worn with linen Viking Pants in  sage, wool Leg Wraps in brown tweed and Viking turn boots
-our linen Viking tunic in sage worn with linen Viking Pants in slate blue, wool Leg Wraps in olive and Viking turn boots
-our linen Viking Apron Dress in burgundy worn with linen Kirtle in dark brown, Viking hood in white and Viking turn boots
-our linen Viking Apron Dress in oatmeal worn with linen Kirtle in dark green and Viking turn boots
-our linen Viking Apron Dress in sage worn with linen Kirtle in gold and Viking turn boots
LoisAnn S. (verified owner) –
Can’t wait to get started!!