Florentine gown dilemma - need your opinions.

[Artemisia]

I've sketched out an orange florentine gown with blue sleeves. I've started the project and am most happy.

Until I pulled out the linen fabric. It's not orange. It's red-orange.
The color is a little darker and a little redder than shown below.

I can't decide whether to:

A. Go ahead with the original design with the red-orange linen.
B. Table the sketch and attempt the gown on the left instead:

(As you can see, the original sketch was of the gown on the right)
C. Go really nuts and try to dye the yellow linen to orange. Please note I've never tried this type of dyeing process before.

This dress has to be completed by January 10th. I need all the time I can get. I'm at a point in construction where I can change the design but don't have enough time to find and order orange linen. Besides, the only orange linen I've found is retina-burning.

I lack focus, I'm a perfectionist and am trying not to be both. All in that order.

Halp!

[isabelladangelo]

Plan A.  :-)   The red orange is a good period color as well so I wouldn't think twice about using it with the blue.  Of course, you could hold on to the blue, and do the dress in the red-orange and have black sleeves instead.  That was really popular in the early 1500's.   If you look through you'll see a lot of red/red-orange dresses with dark black sleeves.

[Artemisia]

*scratches head some more*

[renren]

The one on the right!
I would think dyeing is too risky,if you're pressed for time!

[gem]

Continue with your original plan.

Here's what will happen:

1. You will have a complete gown and a new set of sleeves.
2. You will be able to wear them together.
3. You will be able to mix them with other pieces in your wardrobe.
4. You will be finished on time.

Those are all good things, yes?!  Then, when you have more time, you can start hunting for a lighter shade of orange linen (or wool), or play with dyeing.

Orange and blue are opposites on the color wheel, and going one shade off of pure orange and pure blue will actually help "calm down" the color scheme.  I know you want it to look exactly like the picture, but given your time constraints and the fact that you already have enough fabric to proceed, why not go with the original plan?  If you decide you don't like the blue sleeves with the darker orange, *then* go ahead and make the larger matching sleeves (do you have enough fabric?  Those sleeves are *huge!*).  The two gowns are very similar--except for the guards and the color and the sleeves, they could be interchangeable. 

I think you're fine.  Make the gown, then decide about the sleeves.

But maybe have some wine first. 

[gypsylakat]

well.... maybe the paint has changed color slightly so you're actually being REALLY historically accurate by choosing the colors you have selected?

[operafantomet]

I agree with others, don't experience with fabric dyeing if you haven't done it before and only have a couple of weeks to finish the project.

Your original plan was orange dress with black guards, yes?

Go ahead and make that. Because you can combine so many colours to that combo later on, if you're not "feeling" the blue/orangered combination.

I would also suggest sleeves than can be worn on both sides. I made that for both my Raphael dresses, and I know many other has as well. It's *almost* like having two different dresses.

[operafantomet]

PS - that yellow linen would make a great "Donna Gravida" dress ( http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/firenze1/raphael1506b.jpg ) or sidelaced-with-black-trims outfit ( http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/firenze3/vasari1559b.jpg )...

Just sayin'!!

[Artemisia]

::listens to voices of reason::

You guys are all right. I don't have time to be picky and panicked about colors.
I start to lose focus when things don't go as planned.
Such as typing "right" when I should've typed "left" in my original post. 

The original plan was the orange dress with black guards with blue sleeves (right).
The color of the linen almost changed my mind to make the gown on the left.
Now that you mention it Gem, I have 5 yards of the linen. Those sleeves are huge.

Mantra:
"No dyeing.
All colors are H/A.
Remember your time constraint.
Don't panic."

Okay, design with black guards, blue silk sleeves and new red-orange linen gown back on the table!

Then I'll make some black sleeves and the orange linen gown. And maybe try that sidelaced, black trim outfit...

*stops daydreaming, deep breath*

Each one of you have put me back on track.
Lurves ewe guys.