This is a custom-made French hood commission for Lady Elizabeth de Belcaire to go with a late 16th-century English outfit made by Mistress Elena Edgar and embroidered sleeves made by Elizabeth herself. It was first worn at the SCA West Kingdom’s 12th Night in January 2015. Since the fitted gown and kirtle were inspired by
Last year, Sarah and I started a West Kingdom Largess Makers group on Facebook, with the intent of encouraging more artisans in our SCA kingdom to make largess — that is, small gifts that royalty can give out, as they often need to. There’s a very active general-SCA largess makers group on Facebook, but we
Only a few days left until my 12th Night deadline to get all these commissions done! Eeep. Christmas tried to interfere, but at least I had finished my family’s handmade holiday gifts back during my Thanksgiving break. But still, I have SO much to do, no matter how well I schedule, plan, and to-do list
For a change, I’m not making anything for myself, and instead, I’m sewing a bunch of stuff for other people. In time for the SCA’s 12th Night, I took on a bunch of commissions to sock away a little money. It’s both stressful because I’m doing this after I work 40+ hours at my office
Here is my 1590s gown made of white silk, inspired by various portraits of Queen Elizabeth I’s maids of honor. I wore it at 12th Night 2014.
Research and Theories: Linen caps and coifs are a well-known part of the Elizabethan wardrobe for women and even men. In their simplest form, plain linen caps were worn at all levels of society, often as a protective layer between the hair and a hat or even as a nightcap. Many women’s embroidered coifs survive
Or as I tend to think of it: Fancy Man Bags! Because the discerning Elizabethan gent needed a sassy little purse to carry his hankie or a few coins in. Women seemed to hide pockets & such in their voluminous skirts, while the men showed off their goods, ehem, with highly decorated purses that were
One of my favorite styles of 16th-century headgear is the tall crowned hat. It was first worn by men starting around the 1570s mostly in England, the Low Countries, & Spain. Women soon adopted the style, particularly when worn with high-necked doublet-style bodices. This fashion was hugely popular, which lead to criticism by the early
12th Night inches closer, & so do my various projects. I think my crazy wheel farthingale gown will be a go. I got the bodice & skirt attached, so it’s a real dress now. Still needs that weird tuck at the farthingale edge, plus hemming, & all the multitudes of accessories (ruff! wig! shoe rosettes!
You’d think I would have made one of these by now, given that “Elizabethan” is my One True Costuming Love & late 16th-century lowland Scots is my SCA persona. But no, I’ve yet to make the ever-practical English fitted gown. So it’s about time. You’ve seen all the period images before, but I’ve added a
So I made a new shift (for the better neckline), a wheel farthingale, a giant bum pad to bolster it up, and a corded petticoat to go over the whole thing & smooth out the lines on top plus give a nice little kick to the hem. I guess I’m committed to making the gown
Making lemonade out of lemons — since my hair fell out from chemo, this seems like a good time to go for one of those freaky-cool shaved-forehead styles that has popped up in various points of history. Go big or go home! At first, I though of Burgundian 1470s. It’s a period I don’t know
At Purgatorio 2013, we premiered Gianetta’s new outfit, a Venetian 1580s gown, to complete the obligation of my Queen’s Artisan duties. However, the outfit isn’t entirely done — I still have accessories to make (such as the partlet with ruff, camicia with Liz’s embroidery, & a jeweled cap), & I intend to pearl & bead
Breaking into the Accessory Challenge to catch up on my Queen’s Artisan project — because it’s due on August 24 at Purgatorio! While I was assigned this project at the start of May, I got a late start because I was out of town due to the France trip until early June. And right after
I’ve delivered the last largess parcels for this reign (basically, through Pennsic), and I made a bunch of little things to fill out the boxes. See, Their Royal Majesties commissioned a series of beautiful, historically accurate, hinged wood boxes to fill with gifts and give to the royalty they would be visiting or who would