Multi Tasking

It looks as though I will have 3 projects going on simultaneously. Today I got 3 bodice slopers done for 3 different dresses. The first one was for the Italian working class dress, the second was for an Eleanor of Toledo style dress and the third one was for a doublet similiar to the blue one Isabella di Cosimo is wearing in her portrait.

Eleanor of Toledo Isabella di Cosimo

First I took the original Margo Anderson Pattern and traced my size with tracing paper. This way I don't ever cut up the original pattern and I can use and resue the traced patterns over and over thus preserving the originals. I then cut out slopers from muslin. This is what I will use to adjust the fit. My daughter, Heather, is a costume design major at Webster University and will be helping me with fittings. I'm so glad she is home for the summer!!!!

Sloper for the Eleanor of Toledo style dress. This shows the back where the back side lacing is.

Doublet sloper

Sloper for the working class dress.

Italian Working Class Dress

The inspiration for this dress are the paintings of painter Vincenzo Campi. These are from the 1580's.

This dress is very simple, yet pretty. I wanted something Italian, but something cool and comfortable to wear in the daytime during the hot summer months of Meridies events. This dress closes in the front, which is how I will make mine for ease of getting in and out of. I purchased 10 yards of a linen/cotton blend from fabric.com for $2.95/yard!! Its very pretty and soft. I think I will do yellow guards on it...I thought about doing red...I'm not sure yet. Notice the ribbons on the shoulders that were used to tie up their sleeves and chemises when working. I will do the high necked smock in linen as well.

Here is another example of a working class dress. Notice the wrinkling on the bodice in front...that means no corset! Yay! I will probably put a little light boning in the very front to support the lacing. Other than that I will use a heavy duty canvas for the interlining. Since I have 10 yards, I may line it with the blue linen. If not I'll get some cotton or more linen to line it with. This dress has different color sleeves, so I may make some in yellow and blue, or line the sleeves in yellow and make them reversable.

Another Campi...this one is great because is shows many different styles. You can see examples the side back lacing and side lacing. Also the woman in the back has her sleeves pulled back and pinned or tied so they won't get in the way.

In my next post I'll have pictures of the patterns and fabric I will be using.

Getting Back in the Swing of Things

Well after a year and a half of family stuff...my youngest daughter is graduated from HS and my oldest daughter is now married!!! Now I can get back to my life.



I had forgotten that I started this blog and discovered it when I attempted to start another one.



I pledge that I will try and keep this one updated a little bit better.



Projects I am beginning this weekend:

1) A linen Italian working class dress to wear to events during the day.



2) I think I am going to attempt Margo Anderson's Iron Dress the Third Competition. Even if I don't finish, its good incentive to get started on a new Italian. Using her patterns, I am going to attempt to make a 16th Century Florentine Dress in the style of Eleanor Toledo. I have some beautiful red and gold in my stash that will be perfect.
http://margospatterns.com/Extras/gallery/ID2009rules.html