Last minute one of the court contacted me to borrow a gown. I gave her the closest thing to Tudor that I have since I have yet to make a “real” Tudor gown. I think she looks fab. This dress has enough layers that at such a hot event she can take off a few pieces here and there and still be look “somewhat” dressed. But there is no pouring water over the silk gown to cool off I wear linen peasants to this event. It isn’t uncommon to see temperature above 90 and into the 100s.

(more…)

I made it out to one weekend of Valhalla Renaissance Faire this year and got another chance to wear my red linen pair of bodies, corded petticoat, and blue & green linen loose gown. I got around to adding the lining to the top half of the back of the loose gown to the lovely white leather binding on my pair of bodies would not show though!

(more…)

I had half these bodies done up forever! I finally decided to complete them to be worn for pregnancy. With the center front opening I just left the bottom portion loosely laced over the tummy and then tightened above to get a nice firm back support and bust support.

(more…)

Except for a lining for the upper back portion the loose gown is completed (this will be required since I edged the pair of bodies in bright white leather and it is showing through!). I should have lifted the mannequin so the front wasn’t dragging and looking funny – just imagine it is over a little pregnant belly .

(more…)

I promised to eventually come back & create more diary entries for this project. So here I go:

I machine basted the shoulders on this entirely hand sewn bodice, *facepalm*. Those machine basting stitches were pulled out later but I find it ironic that I have the patience to hand sew a garment but not to hand-baste two wee, little shoulder straps to check the fit. Life is full of contradictions.

Evidence:

Here I have on all the undergarments, getting ready for the first try-on of the final bodice. I had just removed the original pleating on the camicia so it was hanging off my shoulder. After fitting the bodice straps (with the help of my housemate), I then made a new band to pleat the camicia neckline to fit. (more…)

Another linen coif in the same machine embroidery pattern but different orientation:

I’ve had this 1560s Venetian project planned for a long time but hadn’t really gotten bitten by the bug to make another Renaissance gown for a while. But now I’m bitten again.

Fasolo Family portrait
(more…)

The silk kirtle seen here is made by this lovely young Kentwell participant. She asked to pair her 16th century kirtle with my 18th century pocket hoops and matching bow. I think she might be the only person alive able to pull off this look – isn’t it too adorable. So much pink around I”m tempted to do more pink. My next Italian gown is rose pink I think.

(more…)

I finally got the Florentine gown up on the webpage.

I sent it in to Bella from Realm of Venus. She did a great job putting together the content featurning it in her Italian gown showcase – If you haven’t checked out her site it has some very drool worthy Italian outfits. A must view site in my opinion.

By the way, I sent her higher resolution images to use on her site so you can see a little more detail. I will try to eventually do a more thorough dress diary on this blog as well. But it is on the back burner as I get more involved in my fall commissions.

In the end, the gown really isn’t done either. I still need to make the sleeves based on the Pisa gown. I do have enough fabric but used the smocked stuff to quickly have ornate decoration and get it done in time for the event. Eventually I’ll complete the sleeves I intended to make for the gown.

Tonight I’ll be heading off to the Valhalla Renaissance faire, for the weekend, after a long day of sewing and errands. I’m excited, as it is one of my favorite events of the year. In addition to being generally an awesome event it will also now hold special meaning to me because I’ve been selected to join The Order of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem.

At Needle’s Eye (Royal White Eagle) encampment my Daming will happen at 2pm tomorrow, Saturday May 30th. A knighting seemed like a good event to finish my outfit for:

(more…)