Gallery of Finished Projects

[isabelladangelo]

Thanks Rani and Stuben!   

Rani, Turkish is pretty simple.  In my full write up I have links to an extant example in Italy as well as my "old" research.  I'm still using the same pattern as I did 6 or so years ago.  It's not perfect but it will give the correct look.   The fun thing about Turkish is that you find you move normally.   When I wear a gown, I know I have to move differently in order to pick up things, walk and not trip, get up steep inclines, ect.  With the Italian Turkish outfits, it's like wearing the Renaissance equivalent to jeans and a t-shirt.   

[Rani Zemirah]

Sounds lovely!  That's the most difficult thing about being in garb, for me... trying to do those everyday things that are so much more complex when you're laced up tight. with several layers on! 

[Rowan MacD]

Wow, so many lovely garments! So I embarked on a huge undertaking for only my second renaissance garment. Thankfully I have a mother who's an excellent sewer and gave me may great pointers along the way (like why do they always tell you to put the arms in after you sew up the sides!!! So much easier to do it before!) Anyways, here's my attempt at Henry VIII based on the simplicity pattern (out of print) and the Holbein portrait. I also made the chain of office I'm wearing and the hat.  I'm not 100% there yet but darn close.



(Also, the codpiece is just a place saver. I purchased The Tudor Tailor and will make a more...ahem...authentic version)

That is a fantastic outfit...You used strips of patterned fabric in place of embroidery?  Great idea!
  Thanks for adding the explanation about he codpiece; I just about sprayed coffee on the screen when I saw that  ^_^!

[CenturiesSewing]

I finally finished something.

Bright! red wool kirtle 100% hand sewn with linen thread. Wool half sleeves lined in linen/cotton blend, pinned on with hand made pins (jewelry findings I hit with a hammer..) hand sewn linen apron. Hand bound eyelets, fingerlooped lacing. Worn over my hand sewn linen/cotton shirt. No boning, just canvas.

[Lady Rosalind]

I finally finished something.

Bright! red wool kirtle 100% hand sewn with linen thread. Wool half sleeves lined in linen/cotton blend, pinned on with hand made pins (jewelry findings I hit with a hammer..) hand sewn linen apron. Hand bound eyelets, fingerlooped lacing. Worn over my hand sewn linen/cotton shirt. No boning, just canvas.

LOVE!!!!

Beautiful work as always!

[bookwench]

I just love this thread - so many beautiful things

[Rowan MacD]

  Love that color (I'm gaga over red!) the grey is a perfect contrast fabric.
Is this for a competition?

[Rani Zemirah]

Centuries, you always have such an amazing fit... I am always in awe. 

Do you have a close-up of the pins you mentioned?  I'm curious as to what type of findings you used, and how you modified them. 

[Rowan MacD]

  I've been wanting to try cap sleeves for my green gown for a while.   The first set was bust, but these turned out pretty good, I think .

side view...they are just pinned on for now..

and with the paned sleeves...

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Well done, Rowan!

Looks great.

[CenturiesSewing]

Thanks Rosalind!


Rowan, the sleeves are a lovely sage-y green, almost the last of the scraps from the "unicorn" gown I did a while back. But I can see how they read as grey. The apron is just a touch darker than them but the texture between the two gives it a nice contrast. And nope not for a competition, just my own personal whim of wanting to improve.

Rani, I wrote a little about it here- http://centuries-sewing.com/2014/05/12/dress-pins-made-from-jewelry-findings/ and linked to the tutorial on pin making. Headpins are very light in gauge and even after work hardening they are softer than I like.

[Rani Zemirah]

Ahh, I see.  I wasn't picturing them as being straight pins.  I guess I've never really looked into period pins.  I make some hammered pins that are curved, sort of like a safety pin without the circle at the spring end, and with a spiral for the catch.  I'll try to dig one out and post a photo.  I use either copper or brass wire in 18-21 gauge, depending on what I'm using them for.  I make some much larger ones, as well, in 14-16 gauge, that will work to hold a kilt or even a cloak.  I know they're not at all historically accurate, but I like them.   

[Rowan MacD]

  Thanks everyone! 
  I'll be wearing the under sleeves only if it's cool enough (which doesn't happen often).  I think this is all I will do with the green gown for now.
  I have nebulous plans to do some beading on the guard.  Any suggestions?

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

How about 5 bead clusters like I did on my recent gown? You can design a pattern in which to use a cluster to add more dimension to your gown.

[Rowan MacD]

  I The 5 bead cluster defeats me-I have never been able to get those to look right. 
  How do you make them?