I added the sleeves 26×30 (30 is the length of the arm) and gusset (8.5″x8.5″). Because I started with 60″ wide linen it’s plenty roomy. No need to add gores. The sleeves are about 10 inches longer than his arms. This is on purpose. I added cuffs and gathered (knife pleated) the sleeve into the cuff. This gives the shirt…
Category: 16th Century
Last night I finished the outer band for the collar. It looks like a collar. It fits around his neck and does indeed look like it’ll close without choking him. He’s a little amused because at the moment the shirt resembles a poncho with a fancy collar. I’ll fix that tonight by adding sleeves. Progress is good.
Last night I added the inner band to the collar. I really like the way it’s looking. I cut out a strip of linen about 2 1/2 inches wide by 60 inches long. I ironed it flat and then ironed edge folds into it. I think it’s about 1″ wide once the folds were added. I cut off 23 inches…
After looking at lots and lots and lots of pictures I’ve finally started on this project. The first piece I’m making for him is the undershirt. I’m making a neckline as is seen in this woodcut. I cut out two panels of linen 60″x60″. At the center of one I cut the front neck slit. I then sewed these together…
I talked with Etaine this weekend. She said that instead of making a corset (which is probably wrong for this dress style) and then fitting a dress over that corset I should instead make the dress and bone the front opening. That makes the dress much easier. I’m thinking run bone along the front edges. Whip lacing rings directly under…
Ran off to Discount Fabrics at lunch (long hike for a lunch hour). Scored 7 5/8 yards of cotton-with-a-linen-look ($2/yd) to line his German outfit and 3 yards of brushed cotton twill ($3.75/yd) to make another attempt at a corset.
Because I’m lumpy and have more breast than the 15-year-old models that Cranach used I need more support. I’ve decided to start with a corset. I’m following the pattern on the Sempstress.org site. The instructions seem fantasticly easy to follow and it results in a corset with laces positions along the edges of the front opening. Last night I made…
Tudor: Henry VIII (1530’s)
Diary started October 21st 2005 Garb research in progress. Summary It all started so innocently. One day while gazing at my love I asked “honey, if I made you ‘Henry the 8ths’ for Twelfth Night, would you grow your hair out?’. My honey is a natural red head. I think he’d look stunning dressed like Henry VIII. After a short…
Brown and Gold Gown
Diary started October 13th 2005 Dress first worn: August 26, 2006. Saxony, Germany [Edit: After almost 2 years of calling this my “german” dress I’ve come to find out that Cranach was a court painter to Frederick the Wise of Saxony. During the time of the portraits under study (1520-1540) he had settled permanently at Wittenberg. This means that we…
Dress of the Court of Saxony
This style of dress proliferated in the Saxony region of what would be modern day Germany. Cranach the Elder was a court painter to Frederick the Wise of Saxony. During the time of the portraits under study (1520-1540) he had settled permanently at Wittenberg. Identifying details: – Wide front with laces showing below a decorated placket – Skirt pleated into…