Gallery of In Progress Projects

[Rani Zemirah]

I've been wanting to start a 12th c. bliaut project for some time, now... and I think I may have finally found the right fabric for my base underdress.  I ran across this set of king size 100% cotton sheets at a yard sale for $2 last Saturday, and this set of silk (or very possibly silk/cotton blend) damask curtains that I found at a church rummage sale for $1 for the set (almost 7 yds X 60"!).  I want to use the sheet set for the underdress... but I'm not sure yet what to use the damask for.  I have been leaning toward more medieval styles recently, but I don't think the geometric tone-on-tone pattern would be correct for the period.  Maybe something Turkish, though? 



I know cotton isn't H/A... but both linen and wool generally irritate my skin... and I just haven't run across enough silk.  I really love the color of this cotton, also... so cotton it is.  Particularly when I can make the whole thing for $2! 

[gem]

A bliaut is usually just worn alone, isn't it? It doesn't need an overgown, right? So, how about a giornea? They're typically shown in artwork with larger-scale patterns (arabesques and the like), but I've seen plenty of smashing recreations with more geometric designs. I have a WIP in a small yellow harlequin/net pattern.

Your fabric actually looks a lot like this lady's gamurra (undergown):



If you want to stay earlier, there's always the sideless surcoat option.

[Rani Zemirah]

Gem... I've looked at the sidless surcoat, and it's really not a flattering silhouette for me, unfortunately.  I need to have something at least a little more fitted in order to not look like I'm wearing a square sack, because of the rather extreme difference between my waist and hip circumferences. 

This is my inspiration dress, though... and I really do love the look of it.  Of course, I don't have the contrasting colors with these two fabrics, but I think I want to do at least the under dress (that is really more reminiscent of a simple shift, except that it's laced) in the red cotton, and perhaps find a lovely linen for the outer layer, since it wouldn't irritate my skin if it's not right against it.  Who knows... I might even find more cotton in something similar to that blue at the next yard sale I run across... although I was thinking a soft saffron would be beautiful for the underdress, instead. 


Oh, my goodness!  I just took a look at your giornea link... and found THIS!!! 



Thank you, Gem... I now know what I'm using the damask for!  In fact, I can't even consider using it for anything else, now that I've seen this!  It would look wonderful with so many different colors, also...  Yay!  I think I'm finally going to have something wonderful to wear to our spring Medieval Festival that will actually fit the period!   

[Rani Zemirah]

Hmmm... after doing some exploring, I see that I was thinking of something altogether different when you mentioned "sideless surcoat", Gem.  I was picturing something more like this:



...which is absolutely not a look I could pull off.     However, the style that is open all the way to the floor, and often belted at the waist, might actually be a fun (and fairly simple) project! 

[gem]

Well, I'm generally of a mind that pretty much no one looks good in a sideless surcoat... but then you see things like this and this, and realize you can't discount anything.  So I felt obligated to mention it.

But I like the over-robe you found very much!

[isabelladangelo]

http://www.wodefordhall.com/surcote.htm  <- a free pattern for a sideless surcote that I've used several times

What you posted looks like a play on the Spanish Surcote or loose gown.  The pattern exists in Janet Arnold.  :-)

[Rani Zemirah]

That cut-away surcoat style would absolutely NOT look good on my shape, I guarantee it!  In fact, I really don't care much for the look of it, at all.  The only person I've ever seen who actually looked really good in it is the model on the pattern package, I believe.  Well... perhaps Maid Marian in Robin Hood, as well... but that's pretty much it!  lol 

The one that is open all the way to the floor on the sides, and belted in front at the waist, has definite possibilities, though!  I really do like the photo that I posted (whatever it's called), however... and I've decided that's the one I'm going with for the damask!  I love the look of it, and it appears to be fairly simple to put together. 

I think I'm going out tomorrow to look for some saffron cotton, also, so I can make a shift to go with the red bliaut.   

[isabelladangelo]

The giornea is another possibility.   Very popular in the late 15th century in Italy. 
http://www.kostym.cz/Anglicky/8_Krejcovstvi/18_Justyna/VIII_18_32A.htm]
[url]http://www.kostym.cz/Anglicky/8_Krejcovstvi/18_Justyna/VIII_18_32A.htm[/url]

[Rani Zemirah]

That style is definitely interesting.. but the empire waistline isn't very flattering to my shape, at all.  It makes my waist seem to disappear... and that's one of the few asset I possess!  Maybe if I double-belted it, with the dropped point in front, instead of the straight across empire waist... but it still appears to bunch at the waist.  With the bliaut I can have very full skirts without any gathering or bunching at the waist... and still have it fairly well fitted on top via the lacing.  And if I wear the sleeveless robe over it, it will help to soften the line between my hip and waist, and maybe even make me look a bit taller in the process (not very likely, but it surely can't hurt, right?).    LOL 

[Cofeeguru]

After numerous times NOT taking photos of what I'm working on, I finally have a couple.  This is most certainly not done yet, and they aren't the greatest photos since my subject kept moving while I was adjusting the dress, but I figured since I was fitting her, I'd snap a couple.

[Rani Zemirah]

Ooooh... I LOVE the color!  The skirt is wonderfully full, also... I love the swish of very full skirts!   


I finally found the blue cotton I want to use for the underdress for my bliaut combination.  It's the blue sateen here...



It's a 400 thread count king size 100% Indian cotton sateen top sheet in a sort of soft Aegean blue ($3.49 at the thrift store), and it has a lovely sheen to it.  The mint green is a set of Egyptian cotton sheets that I found at the same time ($4.98 for the set), and I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with those, yet. 

[Cofeeguru]

Thanks for the compliments,  and what great finds! 

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Another Fantasy ensemble for an October wedding I am working on. The Corset is now at the Shoe Repair for 52 shiny Silver plated Grommets.

There are 2 layers of Cotton Canvas underlining, along with the fashion fabric and lining, all cotton. 8 boning channels added for support. The white bias binding is made from White Kona Cotton that will be the front and back of the Underdress, with soft Blue Chiffon for the sleeves and Overskirt. Delicate white lace at the edges of the Chiffon. White satin ribbon will be used for ties in the front, back, and shoulder straps, as well as for the sleeves, and on the front of the Overskirt.

The White Muslin Petticoat is ready to finish as well. I will post a picture if that when finished.







The mockup I made of the corset fit the client perfectly, even though I had to make a minor adjustment at the front armsythe area. I used my copy of the mockup as the actual pattern.

[Toua Taru]

Lady Kathleen - that fabric is to die for. I can't wait to see the whole ensemble.

[Rani Zemirah]

(sigh)  Lovely!  Can hardly wait to see the other pieces!