Making guides
Tudor Tailor printing tool
Ninya demonstrates how to use our specially commissioned handmade tools for carrying out the period technique of embossing permanent designs onto fabric
Tudor hair lacing
Learn how to style a modern haircut for wearing under Tudor headwear.
The full library of Tudor Tailor video tutorials is available on our YouTube channel.
The Tudor Tailor
Since there wasn’t enough room to put everything into The Tudor Tailor that the authors would have ideally liked, it is hoped that this resource will provide useful information to support that which has already been published.
Useful measurements
Currency
A farthing = a quarter penny
1 shilling (1s) = 12 pence (12d)
1 pound (1l, 1li, £1) = 240 pence or 20 shillings
A mark ('money of account') = 13s 4d (2/3 of a £)
Half a mark = 6s 8d (1/3 of a £)
ob = obulu or 1/2 d
d = dimidium or 1/4 d
c16th numerals
1 i
8 viij
60 lx
2 ij
9 ix
70 lxx
3 iij
10 x
80 lxxx
4 iiij
20 xx
90 xc
5 v
30 xxx
100 C
6 vj
40 xl
500 D
7 vij
50 l
1000 M
c16th measurements
A yard = 36 inches
An English cloth yard - 37 inches
A nail - two and a quarter inches or 1/16 yard
English ell - 45 inches (1 1/4 yards)
Scots ell - 37 inches
Flemish ell - 27 inches
di, dim, dimidium = a half
Imperial Female Body Measurements (inches)
| Size | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bust | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 |
| Waist | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 |
| Hip | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 |
| Neck to waist | 15 ¾ | 16 | 16 ¼ | 16 ½ | 16 ¾ | 17 | 17 ¼ | 17 ½ | 17 ¾ | 18 | 18 ½ |