The Medieval Tailor The Medieval Tailor

Homepage of Sarah Thursfield

Sarah as a 1500's seamstress.

Welcome to the homepage for Sarah Thursfield. I'm most widely known as the author of 'The Medieval Tailor's Assistant', but I've been researching the history of dress for more than thirty years and sewing for more than fifty.

Thank you for supporting the new Medieval Tailor’s Assistant, which has now out-sold the original edition and brings in questions and comments from all over the world.

And now we bring you the online shop for patterns and other information. You’ll find the new edition of the very popular ‘Perfect Linens’ and a growing selection of children’s wear for medieval and early modern periods. For adults there are headwear patterns and accessories. From more recent centuries there are scanned books of patterns and instructions from my collection. I’ll be adding to the list and if there’s something you want, do ask me – it might be in preparation.

Why no adult-size body garment patterns?

Because you’ll get a better personal fit by drafting your own from the Medieval Tailor’s Assistant, and because I simply don’t have the energy to start on the practical problems of adult-size patterns.

Any problems? The shop has been developed and tested over many of Colin’s lunch hours in return for little more than my undying gratitude and the occasional new doublet. If you have any problems with the site, or questions, please contact us

Here's what else I do

From the earliest surviving needles to twentieth-century dressmaking manuals, my aim is to trace the development of clothing technology and the individual garments which make up the typical dress of any given time, because only by taking a long view can we make sense of the details.

I have a detailed knowledge of early cut and construction; the practical skills to interpret these for modern wearers and materials; and the ability to pass both knowledge and skills to students of all kinds.

Book a dress weekend for your group - your venue, your historical period, and the clothes you need to make.

Or come to my sewing room for a day of fitting, sewing, rifling through books and files, and studying my clothing collection.

Explore the site to find out about my work, and how I can help you get into the clothes.

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Link to information about Sarah's book,
									     'The Medieval Tailors Assistant.'

Buy the Medieval Tailor's Assistant


These images were copied by Sarah from original sources.

These images were copied by Sarah from original sources and are an important part of her research into medieval garments.


Here's what I do:

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