The Pattern Project is an online resource produced by the Costume and Textiles department at LACMA which publishes free downloadable garment patterns of historic dress in the permanent collection. Each printable PDF includes a scaled pattern of an extant fashion object from the collection, a description with historic context and object-based observations, overall and detail images, and instructions for construction of the garment.
The patterns were drawn in a process of reverse engineering where a three-dimensional costume object was “de-constructed” back to its original two-dimensional flat form. Not only can these patterns be used to better understand how historic silhouettes were created, but they also offer a glimpse into the constant evolution of dress.
The cut of a garment can speak volumes about its wearer, maker, place, and time. This resource is a means to make this information freely available to enthusiasts and scholars alike, while continuing the museum’s mission for greater access and meaningful engagement to significant works of art in the collection.
LACMA’s Pattern Project is drawn from fashions originally displayed in the exhibitions Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700–1915 (2010–2011) and Reigning Men: Fashion in Menswear, 1715–2015 (2016).
Man's Suit, Italy, c. 1770, Silk plain weave with silk supplementary warp-and-weft-float patterning, Costume Council Fund, M.83.200.1a-c, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Man's Zoot Suit, United States, 1940–42, Wool plain weave and twill, purchased with funds provided by Ellen A. Michelson, M.2011.94a-b, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Man's Overcoat (Tonbi), Japan, Taisho period (1912–26) to Showa period (1926–89); 1925–35, Wool plain weave, full finish, and beaver fur, sheared and dyed, gift of B. Rich. M.2012.188.200, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Man's Frock Coat, France, c. 1815, Silk and wool twill, purchased with funds provided by Michael and Ellen Michelson, M.2010.33.7, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Man's Vest with Removable Chest Pads, England, c. 1840, Silk satin with supplementary weft-float patterning; pads: cotton twill with cotton wadding, purchased with funds provided by Suzanne A. Saperstein and Michael and Ellen Michelson, with additional funding from the Costume Council, the Edgerton Foundation, Gail and Gerald Oppenheimer, Maureen H. Shapiro, Grace Tsao, and Lenore and Richard Wayne, M.2007.211.823, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Boy's Frock, India for the Western market, c. 1855, Goat-fleece underdown (cashmere) twill with silk embroidery and silk tassels, purchased with funds provided by Suzanne A. Saperstein and Michael and Ellen Michelson, with additional funding from the Costume Council, the Edgerton Foundation, Gail and Gerald Oppenheimer, Maureen H. Shapiro, Grace Tsao, and Lenore and Richard Wayne, M.2007.211.88, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Woman's Lounging Pajamas, Callot Soeurs, Paris, active 1895–1937, Silk net (tulle) and silk satin (charmeuse) with metallic-thread passementerie and silk tassels, gift of Alexander J. and Anthony D. Cassatt, 54.97.17a-b, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Woman's Dress (Redingote), Europe, c. 1790, Silk and cotton satin and plain weave, purchased with funds provided by Robert and Mary M. Looker, M.2009.120, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Woman's Coat, England, c. 1885, Wool twill, purchased with funds provided by Suzanne A. Saperstein and Michael and Ellen Michelson, with additional funding from the Costume Council, the Edgerton Foundation, Gail and Gerald Oppenheimer, Maureen H. Shapiro, Grace Tsao, and Lenore and Richard Wayne, M.2007.211.780, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Man's At-home Robe (Banyan), Netherlands, 1750–60, Silk satin and silk plain weave (damassé), purchased with funds provided by Suzanne A. Saperstein and Michael and Ellen Michelson, with additional funding from the Costume Council, the Edgerton Foundation, Gail and Gerald Oppenheimer, Maureen H. Shapiro, Grace Tsao, and Lenore and Richard Wayne M.2007.211.797, photo © 2010 Museum Associates/LACMA
Man's Waistcoat, China for the Western market, c. 1740, Silk plain weave (faille) with silk embroidery. Purchased with funds provided by Suzanne A. Saperstein and Michael and Ellen Michelson, with additional funding from the Costume Council, the Edgerton Foundation, Gail and Gerald Oppenheimer, Maureen H. Shapiro, Grace Tsao, and Lenore and Richard Wayne M.2007.211.811, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Man's Waistcoat, France, c. 1750, Silk cut, uncut, and voided velvet (ciselé) on satin foundation. Purchased with funds provided by Suzanne A. Saperstein and Michael and Ellen Michelson, with additional funding from the Costume Council, the Edgerton Foundation, Gail and Gerald Oppenheimer, Maureen H. Shapiro, Grace Tsao, and Lenore and Richard Wayne M.2007.211.812, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Man's Coat, France, 1790–95, Silk and cotton plain weave and silk satin stripes. Purchased with funds provided by Suzanne A. Saperstein and Michael and Ellen Michelson, with additional funding from the Costume Council, the Edgerton Foundation, Gail and Gerald Oppenheimer, Maureen H. Shapiro, Grace Tsao, and Lenore and Richard Wayne M.2007.211.802, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA.