Originally Posted by
ErgoTiger
McDowell Garment system looks pretty awesome. Macybaby, did you make those jigs(the ones on the wall) your self?
Can you still get McDowell's book(s) in print?
The McDowell system was developed in the victorian era as a way to allow seemstresses to try to make even close to what Tailors were paid. (Women's clothing was SIGNIFICANTLY more complex but seamstresses were paid about 1/5th of what a tailor was)
They went out of business in the 20's as I recall. They came out with updates to the "system" as clothing styles changed.
There is a LOT of info out there.
Here are a couple of search terms to get you going: Bespoke (this is the term for properly made clothing) Dever (Devere's) McDowell, Cornwells
I have posted the manuals for all of these on our forum, check it out in the manuals section (the forum is in my signature)
also this gentleman is offering classes in historical bespoke tailoring (I have not used his services yet)
http://williamsclothiers.com/