my DD wants to make herself a 17th dress for a sch project. help

[notanothercheesesandwich]

obviously we cant find a pattern. how do we start?

Do you mean 17th century?
Some of the pattern manufactures do costume patterns or try get some large sheets of square paper and google and draft one to suit her measurements

Try googling cosplay sewing patterns.

You can buy historical dress patterns here

www.neheleniapatterns.com/english/englishsite.html

Here you are: bfy.tw/4MMz

look here for free patterns

There are some paid for ones here

And this: www.amazon.co.uk/Patterns-Fashion-1660-1860-Vol-1/dp/0333136063

wow thanks. loads of great help. (yes it was meant to say 17th centuary)

Thank you i have looked through the links and their is lots of great inspiration. I maybe should have clarified that unsurprisingly we have googled it (thanks Ohbugger - genius suggestion) the problem we have is that she is 9 and has just used a sewing machine for the first time. I was hoping for some advice on how to mock up a pattern based on the wide variety of images that are available that would give the look but withough some of the technicality - and considerable expense.

OK post a picture of what she thinks a 17th C dress looks like & we will adapt & tweak

I have made this before

www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/visit-us/top-things-to-see-and-do/a-living-tudor-world/fun-and-games/make-your-own-girls-tudor-kirtle/

A century earlier though! Came up a little bit small but a lovely well thought out pattern. Fitted my daughter at 8-9 rather than 9-11 but she is tall and wearing aged 12 clothes at 9.9.

Maybe you could adapt it?

Must add that I made it for about £6 from an eBay remnant but you could use an old cotton sheet and some Dylon to get the colour you wanted.

Simplify it by making just an outer bodice (unlined) and hemming the edges or leaving them raw, omitting the curved bottom on the bodice and just attaching a simple gathered rectangle for a skirt would make it easy.