I have additionally challenged myself to use what is in my stash before buying anything new. I have chosen to make the gown in the gold silk as it is just beautiful and I have 7 plus yards. I was gifted the navy blue cotton brocade, and with just a bit over two yards using it for the sleeve tops and contrasting bodice insert seems to make the most of it. I have had the red/ pinky brocade for a long time and thought it would make cool Italian bloomers, and now is that time. For the camica and socks, I have chosen to make then of home spun cotton as I feel they best recreate the cotton of the time. The ribbons, buttons, beads, and threads are all out of my stash as well. I did buy some very fine cotton to make the veil and partlet I also bought some artificial horse hair braid to puff out the hem, as they would have used real horse hair braid to keep the dress from looking flat when the silk is too fine to stuff the hem with wool felt.
This weekend I have layout my camica, hose, veil and This weekend I have layout my camica, hose, veil and partlet. I spent a bit of time on my hose to realized I made an error in my sock pattern changed which made them to small so I will have to re-start them. So to feel as though I accomplished something I started the partlet and am quiet happy with how it is coming along. I really like how the very fine cotton flows, it does make it a little difficult to stitch but I found pinning it to a pillow helps to keep me from distorting the weave. I will be attaching ribbons to the corners for ties. partlet. I spent a bit of time on my hose to realized I made an error in my sock pattern changed which made them to small so I will have to re-start them. So to feel as though I accomplished something I started the partlet and am quiet happy with how it is coming along. I really like how the very fine cotton flows, it does make it a little difficult to stitch but I found pinning it to a pillow helps to keep me from distorting the weave. I will be attaching ribbons to the corners for ties.
I love a good stash buster! A brief comment on using “homespun” textures on garb, that took me a while to learn: if you were wearing that quality of cloth, you probably couldn’t afford anything better. Most people weren’t wearing slubby linens because even their family weavers and spinners were better than that. When spinning is part of daily life, a chore done all the time like washing dishes, even if you don’t like it, you’re pretty good at it. (Also, those slubs make the cloth wear faster, as rubbing/washing the high points starts to weaken the yarn)
It’s a perspective change. The fabric you have is probably exactly right for the project in front of you, because it’s the project in front of you, this is a thought for future projects.
Great data, Sisule!
Anjuili, I salute your Stash. Nice selections.
The horsehair for wool stuffed hem is a nice touch.
Will you post links to the portraits you are referencing when you get a chance, please?
Greetings and well met, Lady Anjuili, I am Severin Festschdamacher from BBM, and am one of your judges. Love your stash, and am glad you still, with a minor set back, have gotten a good jump on things. I, too, would like to see links to the images that have inspired your works.
I love stash busting projects, and your stash is lovely. Sounds like you made an amazing amount of progress with your entry in a very short period of time. Great work!