Faire Garb

[jennylafleur]

I tried on my corded bodice for the first time today. Overall I’m pleased. The gap in the back is a good 3.5 inches but I’m cool with that. Maybe I’ll get to wear this one more than once this time. :> Also I wasn’t able to get it laced as tight as I wanted. I’ll need assistance for that. I decided I wasn’t hip on the sleeves after all so I’m going to cut them off entirely. I didn’t have anyone around to take pics so I tried the old, take them with a mirror trick. Worked pretty well, although the back shot is a bit blurry.

I also sewed up the gown bodice toile and tried that over the corded bodice. It fits perfectly. For those of you that have made the side lacing gowns, should I have some gap there? If so I need to cut the pattern down a bit.

I does occur to me that I am a bit crazy to be making this gown on such short notice. At least I’m not crazy enough to try and make it perfect and accurate. I did want to try the side-lacing things though. It’s something I haven’t done yet.


On the whole, I’m trying not to do anything too wild and unfamiliar – that is where I get bogged down in projects and end up stressed and finishing the gown at 3am the day of. I think I can risk the side lacing though, it seems a simple enough alteration. :>

I want something with simple decoration, few accessories and small sleeves. I also wanted to use the same pattern I used for the purple wool. That narrowed me down to the earlier Italian Ren period, the late 15th century. I always end up there so I guess it is my favorite. :>

If I can be accused of modeling my gown after anything, it would be this yellow gown. It’s so simple and pretty. I hate the cap (I’ll have to come up with something else) but I like the little partet. I don’t know that I will have time to make one though.

Now that the bodice toile is ready to go I need to decide what fabric to use. Any votes between the rusty brown linen/rayon and the khaki rayon twill? I am having a hard time deciding and I really should so I can cut the gown out. The rust makes my hair turn a gorgeous red and it looks like a period fabric even if it’s a blend. The khaki is a lighter and therefore cooler color for summer and it would drape nicely.

Any votes?