The planning is done; now for the execution!
My entry in the Margo's List Portrait Contest will be a Tudor gown based on Holbein's "Miniature of an Unknown Lady (sometimes called Catherine Howard)", circa 1541.
Here it is
I wasn't able to find fabric in the tawny/russet color of the portrait, but did find some scrumptious rose cotton velvet that will do quite nicely! I have two vintage mouton lamb pieces -- a cape and a coat -- that will make the turnback sleeve linings, and some absolutely gorgeous gold-passamentarie-braid-embroidered white silk for the forepart and undersleeves. I've redacted the embroidery pattern for the neckline (and I'm going to do guards, too), which I will couch onto separate strips of fabric using gold (and maybe rose gold) metallic floss, and then add garnet and jet rhinestones in rimsets. The strips will be appliqued or blind-hemmed onto the gown.
Wish me luck, and good luck as well to all of the other contest entrants!