Color Combo Help for Tudor Dress

[Raelyn Fey]

I have a hoop skirt already, so that part is done thankfully. I will look for a chemise of some kind. The first seller I'm still looking into offers one with the package, so that will cut costs. If I went with the Very Merry Seamstress, I'd have to buy one and figure out how to fit it under the gown. It has fake inner sleeves not a full chemise.

[Toua Taru]

Irish - not sure how H/A you are trying to make your chemise, but I have these tutorials from Pinterest that may help and can be on the cheaper side if you're thrifty. 

http://sewing.wonderhowto.com/how-to/sew-peasant-blouse-for-renaissance-costume-419197/
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/dramatic-blouse - This one is made out of a men's XL shirt. I'm actually going to be trying this over the weekend. I was able to find two men's dress shirts at the Goodwill - one is made from linen material and the other is broadcloth.

So if you don't want to shell out the money, because I know some chemises can be pricey you can try this route. Happy hunting!!

[isabelladangelo]

Honestly, if you are being thrifty, just spend the $5 for cotton muslin (with 50% off joanns coupon that you get every other week) and make one that is actually somewhat accurate.  The Italians had cotton.  This is the pattern most people use:
http://www.festiveattyre.com/p/how-to-make-easy-italian-chemise.html

I've hand sewn up -ie, completely h/a - an entire chemise in 8 hours.  I've done an embroidered smock in 2 weeks - okay so that one was filled with many curse words because I was trying to keep it to a deadline- but I did it.  So it's not a super time consuming process to do it all by hand.  I typically do them by machine in under an hour though.  :-)

All you need is a 1 1/2 for the front, another 1 1/2 for the back (3 yards for the body), a little less than a yard each for sleeves, and 8" for two 8" squares (gussets for the under arm) plus two 8" by 3" cuffs and some 3" wide strips for the casing of the neckline.  Basically, 5 yards of fabric.   

[Raelyn Fey]

Thank you both very much! Muslin and a basic pattern sounds like a good choice =)

[Rowan MacD]

  I use the festive attyre pattern too; it's very simple.  I think Isabella provided the link last time. 

  I made 3 muslin chemises in an afternoon for my nieces, using a machine for seams, and ribbon for the neck/wrist gathers.   I paired them with gored, drawstring waisted cotton skirts for simple kids' peasant outfits.   All 3 outfits, cost under $30.00 to make.
 
When making chemises for myself, I don't bother making them full length, more like a long blouse.  Most of the faires I go to are in hot weather; I don't need the extra fabric flapping around my legs. 
  If you are concerned about excess fabric under sleeves and bodice, you can always make the body and sleeves narrower to use less cotton.  I only make full sleeves if they are going to show outside the dress, like when you aren't wearing paned sleeves.
   I prefer linen or a cotton/linen blend for comfort.