Elizabethan Court Gown (2004)
This was my first attempt at serious, accurate historical costuming. Ironically, I made it for Dragon*Con, years after I stopped being involved in the SCA.
I started out using Simplicity 8881, the "Shakespeare in Love dress." I can confidently recommend the farthingale and skirt patterns, though you should definitely make separate over- and under-skirts, and not try to cram them all into one waistband as the pattern does. The bodice pattern needs a little tweaking to give it a period shape, but it's solidly boned across the front, so you can get away without a corset. Do not, under any circumstances, use the sleeve and chemise patterns--they're full of shortcuts that are not only non-period but downright stupid in how complex they make the sewing and ease of wear of the finished garment. Make a chemise off one of the myriad drawstring patterns available on the net, and make an actual partlet. You're on your own for sleeves--I extended the existing pattern, added slashing along the inner seam, and tacked the shoulder rolls on last, but there are many options, and mine isn't really among the best. The hat pattern came from Lynn McMasters, and I'm not sure I recommend it--it came out way too big and I had to make a lot of adjustments. On the other hand, for a complete newbie at millinery, the instructions were easy to follow. |
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