Where is a good place to find renaissance women's dress patterns? I am going to be trying my hand at making garb but uncertain where to start looking.
The answer will depend on what you want to make and how historically accurate you want to be, but you should probably check out these recent threads on the same topic (including one started earlier today):
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=12497.0
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=11417.0
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=12019.0
Athena told me about Simplicity 5582, and I am a non-sew-er, and it's easy to work with. Makes skirts, chemise, & bodice. But I'm not good enough to make the bodice - yet!
Depending on your level and your field of interest, try:
LINKS:
Butterick: http://butterick.mccall.com/historical-pages-385.php
McCalls: http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/costumes-pages-105.php
Burda: http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns?garment_type=4&most_recent=1
Margot Anderson: http://www.margospatterns.com/
Jennifer Thompson: http://www.festiveattyre.com/research/index.html (try dress diaries for patterns, as well as the tutorials)
BOOKS:
"Patterns of Fashion", Janet Arnold
"Period Costume for Stage & Screen", Jean Hunnisett
"Tudor Tailor", Ninya Mikhaila
"Queen Elizabeth's Wardrobe Unlock'd", Janet Arnold