Catarina Shift ca. 1665

This a digital PDF download.  See 'About Your PDF' below for more details.

US$12

Sizes 30-52 

Difficulty: Intermediate    

The Catarina Shift is an in-depth guide to making period-accurate shifts to wear under low-necked 17th century ensembles.  The shift style protects your fashionable outer layers from sweat and dirt, while allowing glimpses of beautiful construction and trims at the décolletage and arms. Make a simple version for everyday wear, or decorate it with ruffles, lace, and ribbons.

The Catarina is a paperless pattern.  There is no pattern file to print: instead, dimensions are given for the pattern pieces (all rectangles or triangles) in the detailed instructions.

All views feature a rectangular body with moderate ease at the bust, extra hem fullness created through side gores, and full sleeves gathered at the shoulders.

View A has a scooped neckline which sits smoothly across the chest, with no front slit, and loose full length sleeves that are intended to be worn folded up and pinned, as seen in many extant portraits.

View B feature a wide, low off-the-shoulder neckline with a slit that closes with ties, and full-length sleeves gathered in to cuffs.

View C has the same scooped neckline as View A with a front slit and attached neckline ruffle, and 3/4 length sleeves with single or double puffs. Mix and match necklines, sleeves and trim.

Recommended Fabrics:

Lightweight plain weave plant-fibre fabrics.  Historically accurate options are linen or ramie (as a stand-in for European nettle linen). Modern options are cottons such as lawn, batiste, voile etc, or lightweight viscose/rayon.

Rebekah is wearing View A in Large (42-44) in 100gsm voile weight ivory Italian linen from Drapers Fabrics NZ and View C in Large (42-44) in 150gsm light-medium weight bright white linen from The Fabric Store NZ.

Hayley is wearing View C in Medium (38-40) in 150gsm light-medium weight pure linen under her gold, silver & black Ninon bodice and Anne Skirt

Dani is wearing View C in Large (42-44) in 100gsm looser-weave linen under her pink Ninon Bodice & Anne Skirt.

About your PDF:

This pattern is a digital download. Once you complete your purchase you’ll be sent an email with a link to download a zip file containing your printable files. You’ll need to open it on a computer: the zip file will not open on phones and tablets.

The Catarina Shift zip contains the following file:

• Instructions: 36 pages
  
  

Tutorials & Pattern Hacks  

• Coming soon!

Additional Historical Information:

• Coming soon!
  

Social Media: