Quick and not-so-dirty 16th century garb
Today I took a big step, and did what I should have done weeks ago: I went through what I own, and the layers needed for a full ladies' outfit from 1570ish (might be bumping up against 1580 by the time this is done, but I'll sort that out later) England.
I have:
-A high-necked shift, commonly miscalled a chemise
-rope farthingale
-bumroll
-two petticoats, rather shabby
-not-quite-properly constructed but still very good and comfortable fitted kirtle
-sleeveless loose gown which has been altered to better accommodate my 7 extra inches of height (it was originally made for someone who's about 5'5")
-Nearly-finished doublet
-a hat of very questionable style apropos, but it does look good
-furs. Hat, capelet, collars. Again, the styles are questionable
-jewelry, of mixed and questionable styles
I need:
-to finish the doublet
-better-looking petticoats
-mend the farthingale
-perhaps also a low-necked shift
-SLEEVES. Ye gods, I need sleeves!
-to take up the kirtle, as it's quite long
-gather, sort, designate, and possibly alter jewelry
-COIF. I've gone unforgivably long without one, and it's too cold for a little caul. Also, the caul doesn't effectively cover my short hair.
-footgear. Difficult at best
-perhaps a new loose gown, of a later (and warmer) style, made to my own dimensions
-less 'need' than 'really want': a fur-lined muff
I can do:
-make a forepart to help compensate for a sturdy-but-ugly petticoat
-fudge like mad on footgear with gray suede boots, so long as I remember the arch inserts
-definitely whip out at least one petticoat, though it may not be appropriate as a visible layer
-make sleeves
-probably everything on list above, really
Today I have:
-pulled out fabric from my tiny stash currently available, and found pieces to do all of the above
-marked designation of said fabrics with notes on post-its
-found, laundered, and dried a piece of 100% white linen for coif. Major good luck, that!
-altered a modern chain belt to make it more period-agreeable, if not fully appropriate. It will have to do for now.
-finished/fixed a beaded cross which will probably go quite well with the whole ensemble
Difficulties:
-camera is not with me (in storage), and phone camera flash is busted. Therefore, documenting the process will have to be text-heavy for now.
-not enough time for anywhere near the appropriate level of embellishment on anything.
-budget of effectively zero
Strong points:
-creativity!
-internet immediately available for research and inspiration
-a tiny bit of stash fabrics and costume jewelry
-motivation--an upcoming event where I'll see people whose opinions about such things I really respect. Also, I want to look fabulous, and I love a creative challenge.
-You, the audience. Your feedback and encouragement (and constructive criticism) is incredibly valuable.
-I have the tools I need to work with the materials I have
-if everything fails, I can still show up in what I have, and be okay. Except for the lack of sleeves; that'd be problematic.
With all that in mind, current prioritization is:
-SLEEVES! At least one pair, with at least a little trim
-COIF! Really gotta quit putting that off. No way it'll be embroidered for this event, but I can at least construct one properly, removable lining and all, and practice wearing it properly
-Forepart. It'll be stupid-easy, to be honest, and then I can use it even if I don't make new petticoats.
-Muff. I really, really want the muff. It should be embroidered,but I don't have time, so I'll sew on pretty trim, and construct it in such a way that if I want to put a different external layer on, the whole thing doesn't have to be pulled apart.
-mend the farthingale
-take up the kirtle. It's already pinned, and just needs stitching.
-low-necked shift
-Petticoats
-Jewelry
-Loose outer gown
-More sleeves
-footgear
-better hat
-embellishments on extant pieces
-new pair of bodies (corset)
I will be aiming for at least one update per day as I work on this over the next six days. Pictures will come when I can reasonably make that happen. Feedback is always appreciated; even so, just the daily documentation will probably be very helpful in keeping creative momentum.
This entry was originally posted at hirtzenocker.dreamwidth.org. Please comment there using OpenID if you can.
I have:
-A high-necked shift, commonly miscalled a chemise
-rope farthingale
-bumroll
-two petticoats, rather shabby
-not-quite-properly constructed but still very good and comfortable fitted kirtle
-sleeveless loose gown which has been altered to better accommodate my 7 extra inches of height (it was originally made for someone who's about 5'5")
-Nearly-finished doublet
-a hat of very questionable style apropos, but it does look good
-furs. Hat, capelet, collars. Again, the styles are questionable
-jewelry, of mixed and questionable styles
I need:
-to finish the doublet
-better-looking petticoats
-mend the farthingale
-perhaps also a low-necked shift
-SLEEVES. Ye gods, I need sleeves!
-to take up the kirtle, as it's quite long
-gather, sort, designate, and possibly alter jewelry
-COIF. I've gone unforgivably long without one, and it's too cold for a little caul. Also, the caul doesn't effectively cover my short hair.
-footgear. Difficult at best
-perhaps a new loose gown, of a later (and warmer) style, made to my own dimensions
-less 'need' than 'really want': a fur-lined muff
I can do:
-make a forepart to help compensate for a sturdy-but-ugly petticoat
-fudge like mad on footgear with gray suede boots, so long as I remember the arch inserts
-definitely whip out at least one petticoat, though it may not be appropriate as a visible layer
-make sleeves
-probably everything on list above, really
Today I have:
-pulled out fabric from my tiny stash currently available, and found pieces to do all of the above
-marked designation of said fabrics with notes on post-its
-found, laundered, and dried a piece of 100% white linen for coif. Major good luck, that!
-altered a modern chain belt to make it more period-agreeable, if not fully appropriate. It will have to do for now.
-finished/fixed a beaded cross which will probably go quite well with the whole ensemble
Difficulties:
-camera is not with me (in storage), and phone camera flash is busted. Therefore, documenting the process will have to be text-heavy for now.
-not enough time for anywhere near the appropriate level of embellishment on anything.
-budget of effectively zero
Strong points:
-creativity!
-internet immediately available for research and inspiration
-a tiny bit of stash fabrics and costume jewelry
-motivation--an upcoming event where I'll see people whose opinions about such things I really respect. Also, I want to look fabulous, and I love a creative challenge.
-You, the audience. Your feedback and encouragement (and constructive criticism) is incredibly valuable.
-I have the tools I need to work with the materials I have
-if everything fails, I can still show up in what I have, and be okay. Except for the lack of sleeves; that'd be problematic.
With all that in mind, current prioritization is:
-SLEEVES! At least one pair, with at least a little trim
-COIF! Really gotta quit putting that off. No way it'll be embroidered for this event, but I can at least construct one properly, removable lining and all, and practice wearing it properly
-Forepart. It'll be stupid-easy, to be honest, and then I can use it even if I don't make new petticoats.
-Muff. I really, really want the muff. It should be embroidered,but I don't have time, so I'll sew on pretty trim, and construct it in such a way that if I want to put a different external layer on, the whole thing doesn't have to be pulled apart.
-mend the farthingale
-take up the kirtle. It's already pinned, and just needs stitching.
-low-necked shift
-Petticoats
-Jewelry
-Loose outer gown
-More sleeves
-footgear
-better hat
-embellishments on extant pieces
-new pair of bodies (corset)
I will be aiming for at least one update per day as I work on this over the next six days. Pictures will come when I can reasonably make that happen. Feedback is always appreciated; even so, just the daily documentation will probably be very helpful in keeping creative momentum.
This entry was originally posted at hirtzenocker.dreamwidth.org. Please comment there using OpenID if you can.