Hand Sewing and GFD Update
I've never been a big fan of hand sewing. I'm probably too impatient or too lazy or whatever. Who knows. At my former barony, we wore garb at least 4 times a month... 2 business meetings, class night and dance night. And that didn't include the 1-3 events we attended most months. As a result, I think I developed certain attitudes towards my garb. Basically I made a mental division between "everyday" garb and court garb. With everyday garb, I didn't really take the time with the little details etc. Everything was machine sewn including hems and I didn't always embellish to bring it to the next level. Now that I am playing with a new group and the garb wearing opportunities are not as abundant, I really want to step up my game with regards to all of my sewing, not just court outfits.
With this in mind, I have decided to have no visible machine stitching on the linen garb I am making for David and I. I know this is no big deal for many who read this, but for me it is a big step. Caring about day garb is a step forward for me. I started the handsewing last night on the GFD undergown. It went pretty well. I watched a couple of DVDs and went to it. I managed to tack down the seam allowances (which were already overlocked) and start the eyelets. I will never win any awards on my eyelets, but they look well enough. You can't really see a lot of detail in this photo, but here is my progress so far:
I'll finish the eyelets tonight and hopefully get the sleeves sewn on and the neckline stitched. Then all I will need to do is handsew the button holes on the sleeves and attach the buttons. I found these really tiny silver buttons which I think will look cool on the sleeves. I'll do the hem after I finish the overgown.
I am also inspired to work on an old gown I did years ago. Back when I wore garb every week, I would get tired of my garb a lot. I threw together this gamurra in a day to wear to a meeting. I never bothered with trimming it or anything as it was just supposed to be kick around garb. Recently I have considered throwing it into the loaner garb. Then I found this portrait by Sofonisba Anguissola:
I think if I trim it similarly to the gowns in that portrait, it could be really pretty. The portrait is from a later period than the gamurra, but similar trimmings were used for this style. Here is the gown:
The fabric is pale gold with a stripe caused by a different texture in the fabric. The sleeves are very simple with a slit from wrist to elbow for much hanging camicia goodness. I think some black or chocolate brown velvet ribbons would be lovely. I'd also add more near the bottom of the skirt. Maybe rows of narrow for the bodice and sleeve edge similarly to the portrait and a wider one at the bottom of the skirt. Or wide and narrow combined at the bottom.
Or maybe I'll just put it in the loaner garb. ;-)