Portrait of Katheryn of Berain, “The Mother of Wales,” 1568, by Adriaen van Cronenburgh, Wikimedia Commons.
In one of my insomniac moments last night, I fantasized about making a new black 1570s gown to wear to Much Ado About Sebastapol. *sigh* There are many things stacked against that happening, the biggest being I’m critically low on time, and second, I’d need a new pattern draft, ideally fitted by someone better than me (eyes Sarah). Of course, I do have 6 yards of suitable black wool in The Stash, & while it’s earmarked for another project, well, it’s not like black wool is irreplaceable.
Perhaps a more reasonable option is to retrofit my existing black 16th-c. doublet. It’s a little snug, but not at all unwearable. I’d have to make new sleeves of black wool. Then I could wear it with the black wool skirt in my closet, & the ensemble would look like a black wool gown quite satisfactorily. I’d also like to make a partlet to wear with it — I started one this summer with faux blackwork and ruffs using Mom’s sewing machine. Would also need a new hat, as my current black hat is a few decades later than MAAS, & I don’t want to look *too* fashion-forward.
Is that doable? Well, more so than making an entirely new gown, certainly.
However, what I really need to work on is all the merchandise for Fockett & Cox‘s storefront (for display purposes only; our storefront is for educational purposes, not vending). We need purses, coifs, & ruffs. I designed some embroidered cuffs for Mom to make that I’ll tack onto vintage gloves, but I still have to draw out the second set of patterns for her.
So there’s much work to be done before Sept. 17th on that account before I consider a new gown…