It is an interesting mix of period
construction (wool fabric; more or less straight panels for the front and back
with all shaping in the side and back seams; width given by set in gores; hand
stitching; hand made eyelets; felled seams) and not so period elements (a
combination of cotton and linen thread; embroidery on a dress style that
usually had none, with the embroidery design inspired from the margin of a
manuscript – and made in linen, and, what irks me most; cross lacing at the
back) that reflects the stage I was at then, having gained some knowledge, but
still letting myself be way too influenced by make believe. Still, it’s a very
pretty dress I think, worthy of a bit of recognition.
Even when the dress was new the sleeves were a bit too tight, making bending
the arms uncomfortable. Several years ago I took them of intending to make them
wider, but never got round to it. Now, finally, I made the changes by putting
in a gusset in each sleeve seam – luckily I had some of the dress fabric left. Thus,
this UFO/Make Do and Mend-dress was done in good time for the Fairytale
challenge of the Historical Sew Fortnightly.
The dress is still too small for me (my figure has changed quite a bit since
becoming a mother) so I plan to sell the dress to someone who might give it a
proper life – there are some very high quality LARPs and LARPers here in
Sweden, and this dress might be perfect in a fantasy lady’s wardrobe.
It is
modelled by my cousin M, for whose help I’m very grateful, as I never had
decent pictures of the dress before.
We were both pleased with how her hair
came out as well (especially the fact that her fringe did not show at all) –
not very medieval to be sure, but good for the “1911-goes-medieval-Sleeping-Beauty”or pre-Raphaelite look I had in
mind.
The Challenge: #6 Fairytale
Fabric: Wool
Pattern: none, draped my own
Year: “1911 goes medieval”
Notions: Cotton and linen thread
How historically accurate is it? As a medieval-ish dress – not very much as
it’s a blend of period and fantasy. As a 1911 try at medieval – too period
correct; it would probably have been constructed differently at that time.
Hours to complete: For the changes I made, maybe two or three?
First worn: Since changed - for the pictures
Total cost: none at this time as everything was in my
stash