The One-Week Tudor Kirtle

[peryn_wn]

Cross-posted from my journal.

Sooooo...I made a Tudor kirtle in a week for a high-persona SCA event. It was madness. But I'm really happy with it! First of all, here are a couple of pictures from the event (Finchcock's Court), by Cat Lennox:

Comments

[hazelstitch]

that is amazing for just a week's work !

[peryn_wn]

Thank you! =D

[tudorpot]

Stunning. Thanks for the dress diary, that is a big help. I'm about to make my first bodice, the step by step detail is a HUGE help.

[peryn_wn]

Oh, I'm so glad you found it helpful! I did as much research as I could and then just did what I thought seemed best. One thing I would change is that my straps came out a little thick; if you can pare down the layers through the shoulder it will be to your advantage (i.e., end the double-layered front just above the corner of the neckline - but end the innermost piece so it doesn't show through to the outer fabric). As always, a lining will eventually hide all sins.

[laracorsets]

Beautiful color and shape!!!!!!

[peryn_wn]

Thank you! The colour is, I think, my favourite colour in the world. I ordered it from Fabric Mart in their blitz sale without really knowing what to expect - the pink wool I used for my 14th-15thC cote was supposed to be this colour, and arrived decidedly pinker than I'd expected - and when it came it was *perfect.* Now I wish I'd bought a few yards more.

[gwacie]

A tour de force! *snap!* :) Thank you for sharing!

[peryn_wn]

Thank you so much! =D

[reynardo]

I think a large part of your success was your knowledge of good fabric to start with. When I read about the linen and wool taking the pressing so well, I felt your pleasure at it. This isn't a put down. On the contrary, it's acknowledgement that your one-week sewing was also many years of trial and practice and knowing your stuff!

Oh - and the costume? Awesome! Or whatever the Tudor equivalent of that is.

[peryn_wn]

Thank you so very much! =) In modern sewing we are taught so many extra tricks to make the fabric do what we want - understitching, serging, bagging out, and on - and while they're all useful, many of them are simply a way to deal with the fact that we're working with synthetic fibres and the limits of machine stitching. Synthetic fibres and machine stitching have their place, certainly (neoprene is one of my favourite things, and industrial machines are glorious when you need something done right there and then), but there is something so beautifully simple about using natural fibres and period sewing techniques, and letting the modern mentality of double-ensuring everything just go out the window. Instead of fighting both the fabric and the machine the entire time, you can just sew.