Costuming
I spend time doing some light costuming in support of my historical re-enactment activities. I don't have a huge or fancy wardrobe, but I like to look nice and well put together. I'm getting a bit more of a taste for it from my friend Saragrace, we have some great pieces planned for the upcoming year. As our participation in SCA increases, I need to develop more of a wardrobe for extended events. I get a lot of ideas from books and artwork, Jennifer Thompson's Festive Attyre, and browsing through the hilarious and now reactivated Am I Period or Not site.
Flemish Gown
I constructed the Flemish Gown ensemble as part of a class that my friend Saragrace taught for our local SCA group. We had a lot of fun! The pieces I have finished so far are a smock, reversible kirtle, head scarf, outer gown, and a square-backed white partlet. Everything is made out of linen of various weights, from Fabric Store.com. Still to do: possibly a jacket (I know SG will be talking me into it, besides hers is too cool), a black partlet and some lengthening of the smock sleeves. Pictures can be seen here. Next outfit, I'll keep a journal. Here's the journal of the remaining pieces, at least. I've also done a little gallery of how I pin up my kerchief for this outfit, I get a lot of questions on that.
The Nuremberg Dress
Well, while I still have a few pieces I need to work on for the Flemish gown, I figured I would go ahead and start the creative process on my next gown. I have always loved Myra's "1490's Dürer" on the now de-activated Am I Period or Not? website and wanted to try my hand at one myself. So here I go, wish me luck!
Elizabethan Accessories for
A Suitable Gown for Her
Majesty
As costume diary fans may be aware, my friend Saragrace is currently building a Queen Elizabeth I gown based on the farthingale style of the Ditchley Portrait. The gown is being made for presentation as part of the traveling Newberry library exhibit Elizabeth I: Ruler and Legend. The exhibit comes here to the Scottsdale Public library December 18, 2004, and we are all very excited! SG talked me into playing QE1 by playing up the costume, which is thus being made to fit me. I'm so excited to have a fancy dress, made with SG's usual exacting flair! I swear I think I will get some dress forms to keep the finished gown on display here at my house after the exhibit. Anyway, since Saragrace is putting in all the work on making the gorgeous gown, I volunteered to put together the accessories for it. Here's my exploration of that work.