Kirtle Meltdown

[insidiousraven]

So, I've been finishing the bodice of my kirtle tonight so I can attach the skirt at sewing class in the morning.  Long story short: I've cut myself, broken two needles, and worst of all I think after everything is said and done the bodice is a little too small! The gap in the lacing seems to be 2-3 inches or so when I try to hold it shut. Maybe more, I haven't gotten the eyelets sewn in yet.

Aaaaaaaah.  I'm not going to undo it though, I'm too short on time.  I guess I'll have to lace it a bit tight, loose some weight, or take comfort in the fact that my character is of a lower class and is more than likely wearing a hand-me-down that doesn't fit all the way.

Just need to vent, to keep myself from crying.  Someone tell me this sewing stuff gets easier.

[CenturiesSewing]

Raven  I think that kirtle bodice needs to go in the time out corner. Bad bodice no cookie! 

A 2 to 3 gap isn't too bad at all. Keep in mind once you wear it your body heat will let the fabric relax and stretch a little. After an hour you will be able to lace it down a bit more.

Do you have a strip of test eyelets? You can baste that to the kirtle and lace it up to test the fit. Measure how big the gap is, take some scrap fabric make a little placket to sit behind the lacing. It can be nothing more then a rectangle or V shape. That will give you a bit more wiggle room in terms of comfort.

Sewing stuff gets easier but we all have projects that throw us for a loop.

[gem]

Measure how big the gap is, take some scrap fabric make a little placket to sit behind the lacing. It can be nothing more then a rectangle or V shape. That will give you a bit more wiggle room in terms of comfort.

I am comforting myself with this EXACT plan, as I am terrified that my purple kirtle won't fit this season. 

[insidiousraven]

A placket is an excellent idea!  I will probably do that.  I feel much better about the stupid dress after sleeping, but it is definitely going in the time out chair!

I think it looks excellent, it's just that damn stomach fat that is getting in the way!

[insidiousraven]

So I just got done sewing eyelets  (my fingers are going to fall off) and was able to try the kirtle on for the first time.  IT FITS!!!!  It closes all the way, and is roomy enough that I can get a good breath to play flute.  I'm so happy!

I'll get pictures up as soon as possible of the finished product.  I still have to hem it and add the guards on the skirt.

[CenturiesSewing]

Yay!

[operafantomet]

So, I've been finishing the bodice of my kirtle tonight so I can attach the skirt at sewing class in the morning.  Long story short: I've cut myself, broken two needles, and worst of all I think after everything is said and done the bodice is a little too small! The gap in the lacing seems to be 2-3 inches or so when I try to hold it shut. Maybe more, I haven't gotten the eyelets sewn in yet.

Aaaaaaaah.  I'm not going to undo it though, I'm too short on time.  I guess I'll have to lace it a bit tight, loose some weight, or take comfort in the fact that my character is of a lower class and is more than likely wearing a hand-me-down that doesn't fit all the way.

Just need to vent, to keep myself from crying.  Someone tell me this sewing stuff gets easier.

Ya think gap in the lacing isn't period?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/firenze3/vasari1559b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/firenze3/zuccari1579villa.jpg

OK, so they're Italian. But common for European kirtles is that despite their tight-fitting nature they were made to be worn halfway through pregnancy. The lacing made them able to adjust the size quite a bit, either all the way, or just in the bottom. Only towards the end of the pregnancy did the woman wear especially made maternity clothes, and this was often because she was confined to her bed the last month or so before the birth.

Considering how often the average woman was pregnant I'm not surprised gaps in kirtles are documented in paintings. It was probably a common sight.

If you also take into account that a bodice will stretch and shape a bit, like CenturiesSewing said, it's probably wise to make it just a tiny bit smaller than you think you need. As you experienced, once everything is in place and you lace it up, it moulds itself. Or the body moulds itself, hahaha!