Hello, My name is Lady Angelina Capasso. I have always purchased my garb, and making it will be very new for me. I have made T-tunics and a chemise that was an extended t-tunic. I have several WiPs in boxes, and sewing machines are not my friend. I would like to sew everything by hand, and hope I don’t run out of time.
I intend to create an ensemble as befits an upper class lady in Tudor England, including chemise, skirt, apron, and bodice. This alone is intimidating for me. If time allows, I would like to also create “pre-embroidered” pockets, a mock sweet bag, and a hat of to-be-determined style. I would love to embellish my chemise with hand-done blackwork, and purchased lace.
I am using as much period materials as I can. My chemise is cotton, instead of linen or silk. My skirt will be linen, which is period, but as upper class, would more likely have been wool or silk. My apron is velvet, which is very period as it is a highlighted clothing item. My bodice will be linen, backed with cotton canvas. An upper-class woman would have been more likely to have wool or silk. I will be using linen and silk thread. Linen thread was very commonly used, with silk where it can be seen. I have made linen twill tape, and hopefully there will be enough, in the correct colors.
My shoes were purchased, with the buckles replaced by me to be more sturdy and period. My stockings were a gift- they are knit silk, in a period style. My jewelry consists of lots of (faux) pearls, with glass rubies. Both pearls and glass jewels are super period.
I will be following the _Tudor Tailor_ book for my patterns, with advice from Lord Bartholomew Sharpe. (I would like it noted that although m’Lord and I are in a relationship, he would willingly advise anyone, and he will not work on the project itself. All work will be done by me, except where said items were bought.) Other references are _Patterns of Fashion 5_, and _Womens Dress Patterns_.
Thank you for the follow!
Greetings! I am Kay, one of the late period judging team. One’s First Tudor is always special. Take lots of pictures.
Do you have a date range in mind for this ensemble? It will help us to visualize where you are headed, if you do not have a specific portrait as inspriation.
I am a big fan of accessories. Headdresses are number one, for me, as no lady got out of bed without putting something on her head (if she was not wearing a night cap!)
You mention doing a sweet bag; that is a great idea, and if you do decide you want to do that DO use “Pre embroidered” or brocade fabric – whatever you have on hand. It will make a nice detail. But first, of course, the main items.
Be well, and stitch!
Greetings Kay! The trouble with setting a date on my ensemble is that it may end up being more of an amalgam of the Tudor period. Because I am such a poor seamstress, my mantra is “Keep this Simple,” and I’m using the plainest patterns I can find, whether they belong together ‘in period’ or not.
I think if I can find a hat I feel comfortable attempting, that would really cement the date of the ensemble. I feel as though a flat cap would be simplest, but a French hood would be more fun. This detail will depend on me completing my basic ensemble first.
The fabric photographed with flowers (there are two styles) is what I have in mind for the cheater pocket and sweet bag. They’re the perfect crewel style and colors.
Greetings and well met, Lady Angelina, I am Severin Festschdamacher from BBM. In will say, for your first late period Tudor outfit, you have picked top notch reference materials to use, Janet Arnold and the Tudor Tailor Ladies. I liked them for their ease of understanding and instructions. As Kay mentioned, prior to this missive, a time frame, portrait, or drawing always helps to visualize your work. And yes, pictures, many pictures.
Greetings, Severin! I am very privileged to have fantastic reference materials to pull from. I have looked at so many portraits. I’ll post a few in my next missive.
Good Morning!
I am rereading notes for your documentation and justification info. Am I correct that the book you cite as “Women’s Dress Patterns” is Tiramani and North’s “Seventeenth Century Women’s Dress Patterns Book 1”? Did you use a particular garment as a reference or was the book for general inspiration to create your own patterns?
Thank you!