Reconstruction Era Fashions contains a comprehensive selection of women's styles from the years immediately following the American Civil War. The 350 patterns and 609 illustrations are drawn from a rare complete bound volume of the first issues of Harper's Bazar, from November 1867 through December 1868. This book provides sewing patterns for day dresses, evening dresses, accessories, outerwear, lingerie, corsets, crinolines, bridal wear, and clothes for riding and bathing. Instructions for enlarging, fitting, and using the patterns are included. Patterns for garment trimmings use such techniques as heirloom sewing, embroidery, crocheting, knitting, tatting, and ribbon work. Millinery patterns include bonnets, hats, and evening headdresses. Additional articles give instructions for authentic dressmaking, corset making, millinery, hairdressing, crocheted tatting, and netting. Selections from fashion columns describe materials, colors, shoes, jewelry, trousseaux, and mourning.