I will be starting to make my girls their noble garb soon and I am wondering what they should wear under their skirts. Hoop skirts? Crinolines? Just a bum roll? Do their ages have bearing on your thoughts about this? They are 1, 3, and 5 and all tiny for their ages.
None of the above. :)
http://dic.academic.ru/pictures/wiki/files/80/Pieter_Bruegel_d._%C3%84._041.jpg (http://dic.academic.ru/pictures/wiki/files/80/Pieter_Bruegel_d._%C3%84._041.jpg)
The above is a link to a painting called "Childern's Games" painted by Bruegel in 1560. You can see several little girls in the painting with their skirts up over their heads (I saw a little girl doing this in Church not to long ago. She was about two or three and decided the skirt made a perfect way to play peek-a-boo!). You can see they all have smocks on, boots, and their skirts are lined. The dresses are very simple -two front pieces and a back piece with an attached skirt. Even the little ones wear aprons and coifs.
If you want them to have "princess" dresses, I'd have the sleeves made out of a fancy material, have a pretty sheer for the apron, and just make the dresses out of a good brocade or jacquard. The basic cuts and style stay the same, though.
So do you think that pleating would give them enough "oomph?" There gowns will be similar to what I am wearing in my avitar picture. It has always been my understanding that children were clothed as mini-adults and so young girls would still have the extra poof and support under their heavy skirts.
What you could do, if you really want the skirts to go "out", if add a bit of stiffened wool or some heavy fiber to encase inside the hem of the skirt. (heavy denim or duck cloth both work) This will allow the skirts to have a more a-line view but with minimal "accessories" for both them to wear and you to make.
You might be interested in http://www.larsdatter.com/children-renaissance.htm to see more kids clothing in period.
I am not a seamstress, but I am a mother (of boys, now grown). However, a mother is a mother. Don't forget, as pretty as your little girls will look, you will have to take them to the bathroom. It's hard enough for an adult wearing many layers. My suggestion: keep it simple.
LOL, Renee! Yeah, I know! The gowns I'm planning will actually be less layers than what they normally wear to Fest as fairies-layers and layers and layers of tulle, organza, ect. along with wings, pouches and whatnot.
I was thinking that I could get away with just a bum roll for each of them because I will be cartridge pleating the skirts, but should I skip the cartridge pleats and box or knife pleat them instead?
Quote from: isabelladangelo on March 31, 2011, 09:35:42 PM
What you could do, if you really want the skirts to go "out", if add a bit of stiffened wool or some heavy fiber to encase inside the hem of the skirt. (heavy denim or duck cloth both work) This will allow the skirts to have a more a-line view but with minimal "accessories" for both them to wear and you to make.
I recommend this too. I do it for my own skirts, and it makes such a difference. Adding a removable tuck or two in the hem will stiffen it further, as well as allowing the skirt to "grow" with the child. I've written about it here:
http://aneafiles.webs.com/renaissancegallery/doppia.html
You can make a small bum roll to wear under the skirt as well. It's not a must, as pleated/gathered semi stiff fabric will usually be enough for a small body. But it might give just a tad more oomph, it depends on the "class" the children are supposed to belong to.