would a fancy embroidered fabric belt look OK with a Tudor-ish outfit? It will have a bodice, forepart, overskirt, no partlet or sleeves, and being Moreasa, won't be slavishly period.
I realized I have tons of leather belts but no fancy belts or jeweled girdles from which to suspend a pouch or fan. I will have to make something in a hurry; if not, then Plan B is to buy an embroidered cloth belt from Likely Lotus.
I think it would look very nice! I recently wore a fabric belt over a bog dress; also recently made a single-ring "pleather" fabric belt for Milord. They looked good, although there was some slight buckling under the load of flask, pouch, &c.
If/when I make a fabric belt again, I'll need to use an interfacing that's on par with half-inch plywood. Good luck! Pics please! :-)
A very period option is a fabric sash:
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1081/903817371_e2aab0c718.jpg) (Holbein/Tudor sketch)
(http://www.needlewoman.org/wp-content/uploads/festiveattyre.com/research/florentine/images/floren11.jpg) (Florentine)
Neither of these actually have pouches suspended from them, but you don't often see pouches in portraits of women, anyway.
I suggest taking a look at http://www.kimiko1.com/research-16th/TudorWomen/index.html (http://www.kimiko1.com/research-16th/TudorWomen/index.html) to see actual paintings and miniatures of the time period. It should help you to figure out what style you'd like to go with.
Thanks! I never thought of using one of my pirate sashes for a belt.
I just bought a few yards of black velveteen to use on my Lairds' frock coat cuffs, lapels and pockets. He hasn't decided on a fabric for the body of the coat yet, so I figure could liberate a small amount to make a base for an embroidered belt and then just sew some fancy trim onto it. I have D rings around here somewhere for the end....Yeah.
*tosses back last of wine* Gotta hit the sack now and start on it in the morning.
Can't wait to see the broaches Sapphire and Sage is making for me.