c.1500s Working Woman's Kirtle webpage

[sstormwatch]

Well, being low on energy to get up and sew, I decided to work on computer stuff instead.

Having found The Project Archive, I've added a few projects to the db, and that helped me to find that I had started the page for my web site, but never finished it! So...

Comments

[myladyswardrobe]

*puts hand up* - fitting and fitting and fitting and a couple of references to breast binding!!

I've been mooching around on the medieval self supporting cotehardie and thats what I have discovered!

Buckram CAN work on its own - I did it with Nickys blue side laced gown which was intended to be worn over a boned underkirtle but she can and has worn it without the kirtle, all on its own.

[myladyswardrobe]

Breast binding - no stiffening. Only lengths of firmly woven linen.

How its done? No idea!

[myladyswardrobe]

Nice kirtle. Though I've replied to gailsedote about stiffening et al, I would be interested in how it works in practice?

[sstormwatch]

Thank you. I've posted what I used, which was cotton drill which is lighter than canvas.

As to how it works in practice, it is really rather comfortable and yet decently supportive. My breasts don't go up and salute a person, like they would with a fully boned bodice, but they are supported in a more natural position I think. At least I look a little more like the portraits where the upper breast mounds are not really seen.

I am thinking I want to take it in on the sides 1" more (1/2" each side), because it loosens a bit more than expected when the fabrics warm up. I originally only took in 2" less my actual measurements.