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French hood decoration

Started by Rowan MacD, February 22, 2011, 12:39:52 PM

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Rowan MacD

  My hood is finished except for decoration. 
  The pattern calls for a hand pleated ribbon to be attached to the hood base just forward of the crown section, covering the approx. 1" band of base that curves around to frame the face.  Per the picture in the instructions, the ribbon should overlap just a little bit past the edge of the base towards the front of the head, with the back edge of the ribbon slightly overlapping the seam where the crown potion was hand stitched to the base, effectively hiding the crown-to-base seam and curving all the way around to frame the face.  My concern is that it seems all that ribbon would be overwhelming on the hood; the crown itself is only about 1.5"-2" wide at the top of the curve.  Is there a substitute I could use here?
  I used Simplicity 2589.
http://www.simplicity.com/p-1547-costumes.aspx

I made mine of black velveteen and will trim with pearls and cobalt or red jewels. The ribbon will be either black or gold to match the gown sleeves. 
 
What doesn't kill me-had better run.
IWG wench #3139 
19.7% FaireFolk pure-80.3% FaireFolk corrupt

DonaCatalina

I used one row of metallic gimp similar to this one.

on top of that I sewed a row of 4mm pearls.
Aurum peccamenes multifariam texit
Marquesa de Trives
Portrait Goddess

gem

#2
I agree with you. I don't care for how they look on the Simplicity version (part of it might be how stiff the ribbon they used is; part is the accordion pleats).  Maybe seeing how they looked in period would help?

According to Drea Leeds' page on French hoods,
QuoteThe golden-colored, pleated band showing at the front of her veil remained an integral part of the french hood of the next two decades [after 1520]
And if you look at the pictures on her page, there is just a tiny bit of the edge peeking out from underneath the hood. Like this or this.

But this portrait shows a band of ribbon nearly as wide as the hood itself! Here's another.

So I think you can definitely experiment to find whatever you like best.

The ones in Tudor Tailor are made of 1" wide metallic silk organza that's been cartridge pleated (there's a neat image of it on page 150), and in the finished versions they show, you hardly see any of it. Here's a good pic from Ninya Mikhaila's site.

(And I think the reason for using white or gold ribbon, instead of black, is so the hood itself looks brighter and stands out more.)

Rowan MacD

#3
  Fantastic.  I love the hood on The Tudor tailors' site.  I noticed the crown is much wider than the pattern I used.
 I will look for trim similar to what Dona Catalina suggests.  I think that may be closer to what I want for the finished product.   Another idea may be to cover the band on the front of the base with a gathered bit of the veil fabric to suggest tiny pleats....
  While I love the simplicity gown, I don't like the hood they show at all. I only used the pattern because I had it already, and I can't figure out how they made the crown on theirs look like it's 3-4" wide when the pattern is no more than 2" at best.   The actual crown is on the small side, if I can't get this to work I may just recut a wider crescent and try that.
 Thanks!
What doesn't kill me-had better run.
IWG wench #3139 
19.7% FaireFolk pure-80.3% FaireFolk corrupt

Lady Kathleen of Olmsted

#4
Trims, Large Buttons, metal coated plastic Vermiel beads, and 6mm and 8mm Pearls add a nice touch.

Elizabeth modeling a French Hood for Lady de Laney. Jewels from www.sapphireandsage.com bought ala carte.

2 Tiered French Hood before Drape was sewn on for Lady de Laney.

Using large buttons and Pearls for Lady de la Waar.

Decorating a French Hood has endless possibilities.
"As with Art as in Life, nothing succeeds like excess.".....Oscar Wilde

Rowan MacD

#5
   Thanks!  The hood I'm working on is closer to the two-tiered hood you have a picture of.
   I think I'll use the jewels I already have (bought ala carte) on hand from Sapphire and Sage, I can order more for Milords chain, since they were the wrong size anyway. I have 15 of them right now in cobalt blue and emerald.  I have plenty of pearls in most sizes, including some lovely teardrops in Ivory.
  I am having an beast of a time finding blue pinch tuck satin for my other gown.  Joann's has it in every color but the one I want.
What doesn't kill me-had better run.
IWG wench #3139 
19.7% FaireFolk pure-80.3% FaireFolk corrupt

Lady Isabella


Rowan MacD

Quote from: Lady Isabella on February 22, 2011, 03:59:11 PM
Did you try ebay?
No, but I'm a touchy-feely kind of buyer.  It's hard to tell what color you will end up with, just by a photo of the swatch.  I use the snot out of Ebay for everything else.
;D
What doesn't kill me-had better run.
IWG wench #3139 
19.7% FaireFolk pure-80.3% FaireFolk corrupt

gem

Can you sew the pintucks yourself? (And are you doing Lady Mary Guildford?)

Rowan MacD

 I may have to.   It would certainly save money and aggravation.  The stuff goes for $15 yd on average. 
  I have literally found this in red, brown, black, silver, gold and peach.
  No blue.
What doesn't kill me-had better run.
IWG wench #3139 
19.7% FaireFolk pure-80.3% FaireFolk corrupt

Lady Isabella

Well all I found was taffeta not satin. But two pretty blue colors and cheap! item#360243392434.

Rowan MacD

Quote from: Lady Isabella on February 22, 2011, 05:40:19 PM
Well all I found was taffeta not satin. But two pretty blue colors and cheap! item#360243392434.
I like the royal blue, thanks for the link.  Have you ordered form them before?
What doesn't kill me-had better run.
IWG wench #3139 
19.7% FaireFolk pure-80.3% FaireFolk corrupt

Lady Isabella