Help

[Maggie Ann]

I want to modify a standard thicker cardigan into a bodice that will go over my corset. Any creative ideas of how to cut it or make it so it doesn't fray.... I need it by next Saturday.

[gem]

Wow. Hmmm. Pictures?

I'd probably start with fusible interfacing so it survives the cutting intact, without shifting out of shape, and then some kind of sturdy interlining like canvas.

[Maggie Ann]

I will get some up in a bit. I've thought about once I make the cuts to "bind" it with felt and yarn. It really only needs to hold up one day at the faire.
The cuts I thought about making was the sleeves, and using black ribbon or lacing to attatch them like one would to a normal bodice, then the sides and again lacing up the sides, and the back to again lace up. The front is buttons so I was hoping to maintain that look.

[isabelladangelo]

I'm not sure what you are trying to do.  Cardigans themselves were worn over a pair of bodies in the Renaissance.  Here are some extant examples:

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O10383/jacket/

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O108312/jacket/

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O139884/jacket/

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O107796/jacket/

I wouldn't alter a sweater -just wear one like you normally would!

[Maggie Ann]

It's for day of wrong at the minnesota faire, I am making a poodle skirt, to go over my farthingale, for the bottom but I am trying to figure out the "right" way to do the top. Suggestions?

[Lady Rebecca]

How long is the cardigan on you? What about wearing your corset with a slightly cropped version of the cardigan on top, buttoned only at the second button. I think it could be really cute, if the sweater just about hit your natural waist, and you pair it with a high ponytail and a scarf around your neck.

[Maggie Ann]

Ooooo I like that, it may be an option. First I have to complete the poodle skirt, long enough and wide enough to fit my farthingale.

[gem]

I'm not sure what you are trying to do.  Cardigans themselves were worn over a pair of bodies in the Renaissance.  Here are some extant examples:

Why don't we ever see images (portraits) or recreations of this?! They're wonderful!!

And also:

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O107796/jacket/


WANT!! 

It actually looks quite a bit like those glorious Dale of Norway sweaters. I have two of them that I hardly ever get to wear in mundane life. Last year we had several VERY cold days at Fair, and a wool sweater would not have gone amiss, but I think it would have looked odd, since I have never seen an image of one of these sweaters being worn.

[isabelladangelo]

There are actually several extant knit jackets (more here: http://www.larsdatter.com/knit.htm ) but the reason you probably don't see them in portraits is the same reason you most likely won't see a lady getting her portrait done today in anything less then her best suit or gown with heels and pearls.  (Granted, there are excepts but in general...)  The sweaters were an everyday type garment that you wore over your pair of bodies.   I know there is one painting that does show a donor wearing a green jacket -it looks to be material but the jacket style is shown again and again in paintings of the period.

[ladyharrogate]

I'm one of two costume advisers for our festival and this little tidbit made my day!  Now I know what I can put on my kids for those chilly Carolina mornings!

[Cilean]

Because they are out of the time range for the Renaissance, Which pretty much ended with Elizabeth's death in 1603.  However there are some jackets that are pretty nifty in the Italian City States.  I think they are called Zimmara or  you can look for Turkish Coat.  Here is some information about this:
http://webspace.webring.com/people/lo/oonaghsown/turkish_coat_for_venetian_dress_doco.htm

And A Dress Diary for making a lovely Coat from Oonagh:
http://webspace.webring.com/people/lo/oonaghsown/turkish_coat_for_venice.htm








So these are my suggestions for in period coverings!


Cilean

[isabelladangelo]

The cardigans and the Turkish coats are two very different, very separate garments. 

An example of a jacket in 1573 courtesy of our own Operafantomet's website:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/venezia2/veroneseplus1573ven.jpg

There are several examples of extant embroidered jackets from about the same time period as the knit cardigans.  The embroidered jackets look to appear around 1570/1580.   I'm pretty sure the knit sweaters appear around then too.

[ladyharrogate]

that explains why I haven't seen it in my research of the 14-1500's.  Although, it might be worth fudging a bit for the kids. 

[isabelladangelo]

Although the cardigans are later, sweaters themselves are not.   On the larsdatter link I posted above, there are several examples of tunic shaped sweaters from about the 14th c on.

[gem]

Isabella, then do you think that the cardigans fit the same way as the jacket shown in the Veronese portrait?

That's gonna be a little tougher to fake unless I really step up my knitting!