Using Digital Technology for the Sustainable Preservation of Clothing Heritage: A Virtual Reconstruction of the 1848/49 Uniform

This work deals with the sustainable reconstruction of the uniform of the National Guard of Maribor from 1848/49 with the aim of developing the pattern design of the jacket and trousers of which it consists of and making a virtual replica of it. The original uniform of the Maribor National Guard, which can no longer be restored and/or conserved, is kept in the Maribor Regional Museum, Slovenia. The reconstruction of the pattern design of the jacket and trousers was based on historical sources, analyses, measurements and the decomposition of the uniform. The virtual reconstruction of the uniform pattern design was carried out using the Optitex PDS 3D V11 programme. The construction proportions of the uniform’s basic pattern design were analysed to determine the basic body dimensions of the wearer of the jacket and trousers and to create 3D body models of the wearers using the standard 3D body model of the software used. This made it possible to create an accurate “3D body model–clothing” system that realistically represents the virtual replica of the uniform. The results of this research help to preserve, understand and explore the cultural heritage of clothing in a sustainable way and make it accessible to the public.