Feature Friday: Black Snail Patterns

It seems a universal rule of sewing is that one can never have enough patterns. Even with an overflowing stash, the right one is never there when you need it for a specific project. So if you haven’t heard of this month’s business before, it’s time to add them to your shopping list for just those moments!

Black Snail Patterns features both women’s and men’s patterns from the 1780s through to the early 1900s. Founder Roti has been fascinated with historical clothing since childhood and started a line of patterns to share this love with others. Many of the designs are based on extant garments, and each multi-sized pattern has been adapted to fit a modern figure and comes with detailed, illustrated instructions written in both English and German.

With lots of interesting and unusual designs, their line includes a range of patterns that would look incredible made up as shown on the pattern cover or could be customized to create something totally unique.

For example, this 1815 Empire Spencer and Redingote would make a beautiful winter project. Either simply tailored in wool or decorated with faux fur and soutache, it would be gorgeous against a snowy backdrop.

A bit more flamboyant, the 1790 Men’s Coat would be amazing made up in a striped silk like the pattern example, but also imagine it in a figured silk or velvet for a sumptuous look.

The 1830 Biedermeier Evening Dress is a perfect choice if you are in love with the Romantic era. Just look at those intricately pleated sleeves!  

Or you could try your hand at menswear tailoring with the 1830s Men’s Frock Coat.

For a more sporty project, the 1900 Edwardian Bicycle Skirt seems both comfortable and practical, and would even make the perfect historybounding skirt.

Since the company is based in Austria, Black Snail Patterns mostly offers PDF downloads, but each pattern includes both A4 or US Letter size files to print at home and large format copy shop files if you would rather have them professionally printed.

To supplement the pattern instructions, they also have a blog with additional information and step-by-step sewing tutorials for many of their patterns.

You can find their entire pattern catalog at www.blacksnailpatterns.com, and you can find more inspiration and customer photos on their Instagram, @black_snail_patterns.