Adventures with Garb!
I have been sewing clothes since I was in fourth grade, so tackling a project like this Elizabethan was right up my alley...besides, I like "bling", and an Elizabethan Court Gown fit the purpose!
The main fabric is an acrylic (probably) fabric I found on the bargain shelf at Jo-Ann`s...I loved the pattern, and the colors (sort of a purplish-black/brown and gold), an amazingly there was 7 yards on the bolt!
I used Simplicity 8881 (the "Shakespeare in Love" dress)
and made a few alterations...I loved the sleeve caps on this dress and proceeded to drive myself crazy trying to reproduce them; but I think they worked out...
I could not get the partlet to lie right under the neckline, so I made a sleeveless top from a riding-shirt (equestrian) pattern to use under the bodice...the added bonus is that the white fabric of the shirt provides "coverage" for the laced back of this gown...no corset underneath because it is built-in to the bodice!
The forepart and sleeves are diamond-patterned (faux) silk drapery, with pearls sewn on at each junction (yes, even the sleeves!) A large costume-button is sewn at the bodice front, and the 9 ft pearl strand is looped over that button (sigh, the strands are crooked in this photo...)
I am holding a leather mask that I made at a class at the event...
I wanted a gown where I could dress myself, instead of back- and side-lacing ones...so I found this great painting by Bronzino and I just HAD to have one like it...
The black doublet was draped on my Uniquely You dress form, via instructions from Janet Arnold`s Patterns of Fashion (one of the costumer`s Bibles!)
The fabric contains some spandex, but looks to be embroidered in bands; I liked it, so I used it! There is an inner lacing panel at doublet front; this is what holds the thing closed...the rolls at the shoulders are decorated with pearl clusters with a red glass bead in the center...the pearly things also line the front of the skirt. The forepart is a cream-color faux silk, patterned in diamonds, pearls at the junctions..
The belt is made of mostly gold filigree beads, interspersed with smaller pearl clusters (in the painting there were gold ouches on her belt; I substituted pearls because they were more readily available to me--not to mention cheaper...
The white chemise is linen, fashioned with a high ruffled collar...another pearl-and-cluster necklace is worn, with a medievaloid pin I found at Wal-Mart--I added the pearl drop by cementing a wire loop to the back of the pin, and hanging the pearl drop from it...the same pearl drops become earrings!
I crocheted a hairnet with pearls for my hair; and my Sweete Bag was embroidered by myself.
(And WHY is it that photographers can`t give you a WARNING that your photo is being taken? I have NO idea as to what I was saying as the picture was taken!)
(See updated version of this gown on THIS page!)
Do you recognize the doublet and skirt from the above photos? This is what happens when one does not have enough time to produce another stupendous outfit in time for a gala event! I wore this costume to Aethelmearc 12th Night, 2007.
And I 'met' this elegant Tudor gent--actually, he is the husband of a friend of mine (she took this photo!) and our costume colors just co-ordinate so WELL...but, oh, all those poor oysters who donated pearls for our combined outfits!
For a close-up of my embroidered sweete bag/purse (the same one as on the cover of THIS book!) and in the photo above,, click HERE:
