Sunday, September 29, 2013

Upcoming Additions to my Medieval Wardrobe!

It's been a while, I know. Most of my spare time is spent on furthering my art business, which does actually include sewing new garments for the faire at which I work in the late winter/early spring! Since last year, I have made quite a few new additions, mostly medieval in design. I should just photograph them and post, and not worry about grand photoshoots. Ah well.

My wonderful Grandmother has given me over 20 bolts of fabric in the last few months (after giving me a fantastic stock of trims/cords/tassels and FABULOUS LACE). She was cleaning out her house. She used to be an interior decorator and liturgical designer for the Catholic clergy, so her taste is impeccable! I have had some designs in mind for a year now, and her fabrics have come in handy in bringing me closer to completing those designs! I am eternally thankful for not having to shop and spend the money on the yardage I need :P

Today I have decided to begin on these three garments, all will be fairly quick to construct, except for the one which will require trim and a belt to be made. So far, none will be lined, though collars and edges will of course have a facing. I do not choose to line these because I live in Texas, and the weather is wishy-washy. I have things already that I can layer with these costumes if I need warmth.


This maroon gabardine will be used for this design, which I have seen featured in many renderings from medieval costuming books. Well, the skirt and bodice, at least. The dress I have seen similar to this usually has long, fitted sleeves, and not the flowy. The trims I purchased last fall at the International Quilt Show. The shop owners don't have a website, and got miffed when I inquired about a website or online shop. They only do shows, so you just have to happen up on them, and shop when you happen to find them. They also tried to overcharge me for the trim, so you need to be on top of them when making a purchase. The man that owned the business was a Grumperstiltskin.


This is a polyester shantung-look I had purchased a couple years back, because the price was so good. It looks like silk, is a little more substantial, has good texture, and was $2/yard. Don't judge me. I purchased it with the intent of making a sideless surcote to go with a white gown with gold trim I already have. Because I have a larger bust, it is very difficult for sideless surcote designs to sit well on the bust, in my opinion. I love them, but they make me self-conscious. A's would make medieval costuming so much easier. 
This design I saw Maid Marian wearing in the Robin Hood film with Patrick Bergin and Uma Thurman. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend! Great costuming! It came out at the same time as the Kevin Costner film, and was made in Europe I believe. Anyhow, the dress slid over Uma Thurman perfectly, and then tied, but because of her chest size that was easy. For myself, I will make the gown fitted to my bust and a few inches below the bust, and then have the diamond cut-outs tie at my waist to my hips in 3 sets. I'm long-waisted, so I expect this to work as it is drawn.
Now, the color in the image is not accurate to the real life color. For some reason, now that I look at the real fabric, it is more of a warm dark gold.... >.> Sneaky cameras on phones are sneaky.

I have a Mirkwood Elf costume in progress. In July, I finished sewing a sleeveless doublet that laces up the front, and has petal-shaped hemline, knee length in front, tea length in back. It was made with navy blue velvet, velveteen, and a dark green velvet. I wore it with boots, tights and tunic that I already owned, but I'd like to make a new tunic and tights, and a gown to go under for a more feminine look. So, this fabric is a poly/cotton mix of AMAZING WEIGHT AND DRAPE, (it's a light fabric, but hangs deliciously, perfect for Texas!) and the color is much darker forest green than this image. I will first make a gown of the design pictured to go with the Mirkwood Elf costume, and this can also be worn alone on hot days at Sherwood Forest Faire, or layered with a fairy costume design which will be put to fabric in future... After I make the gown, I'll make a tunic with the leftovers. I believe I have 7.5 yards.
The lacing on the dress will be made of the same fabric, because I want a more texutral feel with this design, as opposed to making the lacing detail on center back and sleeves stick out.

Okay...I'm off to sew, now.