Purple Kirtle, all finished and on

[sohewasall]

Finally got to wear the damn thing on saturday at my Shire's event. I have got to say, I freakin' love this kirtle. So comfy compared to my gowns. Didn't overheat or get cold all day long. Nothing came apart all day long. In terms of construction and sewing, this is the best outfit I've made so far. It makes me hopeful for my skills to improve more

Comments

[vitriolpoisoned]

You, madam, look FABULOUS! I can't believe how awesome you look! (I mean, you *always* look stunning, but seriously...this gown is lovely!)

I am SO proud of how far you've come, you're are a force to be reckoned with!!!

RE:
1. I quite agree - Cartridge pleating is my BEST friend. I don't use any thing else if I can help it!!
2. Linen IS totally the shit.
3. Guards - not a lot of people do 'em, and they look FAB. Yours are especially lovely.
4. Non-court garb: teh bomb. I need moar myself....you've inspired me!!!

[sohewasall]

Thank you!!! Your compliments help reassure me that I should keep doing this hobby, and that I dont suck :)

Everyone needs guards! SO AWESOME! I think they give a fun and kinda crazy look to outfits.

KIRTLE PARTAAAYYYYYY!!! Screw the basic camp crap. Just because we're playing in the dirt doesn't mean we have to look like ren faire idiots who don't make any effort. Even the rich had simple clothes in period!

I think what separates the good kirtles from the bad is sleeves, proper undergarments, and period-accurate decoration. Most people don't make the effort to get the details right, and it makes all the difference.

As I told some gals in my group on saturday, women look better in period-accurate garb! It's just the truth! The farther we stray from documentable, usually we look less attractive.

[sarcasticmuppet]

Beautiful!

I've become entranced by the idea of guards lately -- how did you end up doing yours? I keep thinking that guards would be easier to line up on a rectangle skirt but if there's a fairly easy way to do it around a curve I'm all over it (I really like my A-line skirts). Did you cut the black on the bias or on the straight?

[sohewasall]

Thanks!

I LOOOOOOOVE guards. For mine, I did a rectangle skirt (too stupid to do a-line). I did the bottom guard first so the top guard would be even. I cut the black on the straight. For the upper row, I made a long tube of black, sewed it shut, turned it rightside out, then ironed and starched it, then sewed it on. For the bottom guard, I just sewed it about 5 inches above the hem, then folded it over so it hung down with the top seam hidden under the fold. Does that make sense?

[dragonfly_sidhe]

When I do guards, I sew it on the inside of the skirt, and flip it up and hand tack the top, making the skirt hem hidden inside the guard (pre-press the seam allowances prior to starting this).

I also find that the guards add some weight to the bottom of the skirt, which makes the skirts drape just beautifully. Well done, Jane. Gorgeous work!

[sarcasticmuppet]

yup! thanks.

[bellamissella]

Pretty!! I love the color! And the guards! :) Such a simple way to add decoration. For the guards on my green kirtle I cut strips, folded the top and bottom in about an inch (around a cardstock template) and ironed them, then just topstitched them on just eyeballing the placement. Luckily they didn't shift too dramatically. :P

I need to make sleeves for mine now (and perhaps re-do the bodice stiffening as previously mentioned). I like how it makes yours look like a whole dress!

Also, cartridge pleating is awesome and so simple, I was scared to try it at first as well but now I love it.