Ruff Questions

[Prima]

So the next accessories that my husband and I are looking to add to our outfits are lace neck ruffs and wrist cuffs.  I am having issues finding a reputable place to buy them as I dont dare make them myself (too many failures).  Also, should they be of a certain length and should both neck and wrist be out of the same lace?

Apologies if I have posted this in the wrong section!

[isabelladangelo]

Yes, the lace of the ruff and the cuff should be the same.  How big the ruff should be depends on the decade you are portraying as well as the region.  I'd say go to etsy but all the ruffs I own were donated to me.  ;-) 

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Here is a good place to look for Ruffs....http://www.renaissancetailor.com/store/index.php



They are both beautiful in their simplicity or level of fanciness. Drooling over them enabled me to make my own for Shirts, Chemises, as well as added accessories.

A neck and Wrist ruffs I made out of Silk Organza for a replication of QEI Pelican Portrait gown. Lace is the same for both...http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathy0552/8406554602/#in/set-72157632554647663

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Lady Kathleen does custom work and everything is beautiful.  I'd check with her first.  Many, many forum members have had garb made by her, myself included, and it is drop-dead gorgeous.  Plus it will last.

[Prima]

Here is our garb from last year.  As of 2013 we have added a girdle for me and hats for both of us (waiting on pictures).  I am in the process of "removing" the lacing from the front of my jacket, after getting a long lecture from Lady Tess at ARF.  The big questions are what style, length, types of ruffs would be appropriate for what we have.  Also, what "necessities" are we missing?

[DonaCatalina]

I'm not so sure you want ruffs.
Your dress has Henrician sleeves and a Medici collar.



Your husband's doublet looks Italian with the correct standing collar.

[isabelladangelo]

http://aneafiles.webs.com/renaissancegallery/tuscany.html

The above is a link to some of the Northern Italian styles.  Go down to the "mixed 1560-1580" to see some portraits from that period that have a collar similar to yours. 

Although your gown is pretty, just taking the lacing off won't make it more accurate, unfortunately.  Grommets weren't used and it would be a pain to even attempt to cover those up.  Also, if the skirt is open in the front, then the open skirt matches the doublet.   

If you want to go with the accurate - ruffs as we think of them weren't really used for the most part in Italian garb- I'd suggest using this dress as a pattern template and make a new one  - minus the sleeves as Dona Catalina already pointed out.   

[gem]

The Renaissance Tailor Lady K mentioned is the only source I know of for purchased ruffs.

If you're interested in the "proper" collar & cuff accessories to match your current neckline & sleeves, I've heard good things about Thistlebees on etsy. It's all machine embroidery and blackwork, but still very nice. They could do you some blackwork cuffs (very Tudor) and an embroidered partlet to match the high collar on your gown, like this one. A little blackwork would be period for your DH's garb, as well. (Any of those pieces done plain would be lovely, as well!)

I haven't personally dealt with Thistlebees, and I don't see any new historical pieces on their site at the moment, but that link takes you to their gallery. I would inquire as to whether they're taking new orders.

Good luck!

[Prima]

Thank you all for the great information!  We fell in love with the costumes before we wanted to get serious with the accuracy of them   Sounds like we ended up with Northern Italian (ish) garb....funny side note- I am actually 1/2 northern italian.  I've actually figured out a way to hide the grommets 

[Lady Catharine]

Thank you all for the great information!  We fell in love with the costumes before we wanted to get serious with the accuracy of them   Sounds like we ended up with Northern Italian (ish) garb....funny side note- I am actually 1/2 northern italian.  I've actually figured out a way to hide the grommets 

Prima, that's the garb Im looking for!!
Did you make it,or someone else?
Those sleeves are it, I can do,the beading...

I want, I need..that's the one,!!!
Gramercy!!

[Lady Catharine]

Can you pm me?
Gramercy!

[Prima]

(Prima's Husband) I was browsing around the site and saw your post from the Garbing thread.   I'll make sure to get her over here when she gets off work today.

We have made 3 total dresses, spent countless $$ on fabrics, hours and hours and hours of sewing, arguing over how to do things, cuts, bruises, hurt feelings, etc.  I wish we would have learned the following information 5 years ago.

*WARNING: NEXT BIT MAY BE HARD ON YOUR POCKET BOOK* 
The only bit i know is that the dress was purchased from Pendragon Costumes http://www.pendragoncostumes.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=pendragon&Product_Code=anne_outfit&Category_Code=anne_boleyn and is their "Anne Boleyn" style.  We purchased it on site at one of the faires they attend which allowed us to see their different styles and which fit her form the best. Their online $$ For that dress is $685 w/o any fancy additions, fabrics, etc.  Their garb is AMAZING quality, way better than anything we ever could have made.  This did not include the white "shirt", I don't know the proper name but it's not really a shirt.

[Lady Catharine]

A friend ,new vendor from my hometown Faire did the exact garb,in black/gold
I am familiar with pendragon,I have two,of their bodices plus a skirt,I agree the quality is excellent!

Last year  the Very Merry Seamstress replicated a gown,my colors are the same as your wife's, rust/gold
Hanging sleeves, appliqués, along with a rebato well made ,,1K,
Let me ask you was it off the rack or was it made?
I just love those Ann Bolyn sleeves.

Thank you for responding.
You both are gorgeous,

[Prima]

It was an off the rack gown that was purchased at the Arizona Ren Fest last year.  There are some things I would change about it to make it a bit more period accurate....I've found a way to hide the grommets which are the worst offence in my opinion.  We're heading to the BARF in 2 wks so we should have some updated pictures ready for opinions!

[Lady Catharine]

Are you covering the grommets with fabric?
Gramercy

[Prima]

I decided that buttons would look the best.  With some help from my husband, here's what we came up with. 

Using a thinner elastic and pulling it tight and tying it off. It allows it to still be laced (with a smaller string as well) and still cover the grommets.

[Lady Catharine]

Well done MLady!
Indeed well done!
I do love your buttons
LC

[DonaCatalina]

very well done.

[Kate XXXXXX]

Oh, very neat cheat!  I shall pinch that idea...  Ta!

[Lady Catharine]

Good morrow PRIMA
May I ask couple of questions?
1-are you wearing a farthingale ,my hoops are way to full for me,like your look
2- where did you buy the buttons?
3- the trim did you add or was it on already?

Gramercy!
LC

[Prima]

OK....answers to questions!

1-are you wearing a farthingale ,my hoops are way to full for me,like your look:  I am wearing a farthingale.  I ended up purchasing it from Pendragon with the dress since it fit so well.

2- where did you buy the buttons?  I purchased the buttons on a seller from eBay (very reasonable prices and goot quality metal buttons) http://myworld.ebay.com/wishmerchant2/&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2754

3- the trim did you add or was it on already?  The trim was already a part of the dress.  I know that they are very open to customizing the dresses to your wishes!

[Lady Catharine]

I surmised it was a farthingale,I like that umbrella look, rather then the poofy hoopy
Everything looks perfect
Gramercy ,again!

[Lady Catharine]

If you can remember off the rack from Pendragons what other colors were there?

We have emailed back and forth.
Gramercy!
LC

[Prima]

Oye... we saw them at ARF this year but I dont know if they had more than two or three off the rack dresses.  I believe they had a seafoam and gold one and a black and brown one, I cannot remember the third color    I looked through their fabric selection and I'm afraid I cannot find any samples to show you. Many apologies...

[Orphena]

Prima - I just wanted to post this - as I recognized you from your picture - a lovely portrait of yourself and your lord are featured on this blog: www.epbot.com   the post made on April 8th! I immediately recognized your gown with the buttons (Super idea) and thought you should know!

Gem was kind enough to direct me here!

[Prima]

OMG I'm blushing!  Thank you for passing on the information

[Lady Catharine]

How lovely,,,sorry I had to peruse,this is getting me in the Faire frame of mind!

[Lady Catharine]

Well PRIMA,

I ordered from Pendragon!

I decided on black/ gold..I should get it by end of June!
gramercy

[Prima]

Wonderful!  Allow me to unofficially welcome you to the Pendragon Family    Be prepared for many many pictures taken of you.  We traveled to Utah's ren fest this past weekend and I think 90% of our 4 hr visit there was photographed with and without my knowledge  My husband just received his pants from them (earlier than their estimate) prior to us leaving so he was able to debut them there as well    If you have a chance to stop in to their shop if you're at a faire and meet your garb's creators, they are so welcoming!  We are currently making some minor alterations to our garb with our grommets.  I'll post some pictures of my lord's doublet with his new buttons in place of grommets.