Thursday, March 28, 2024
Rocking Horse Gallery
Sunday, February 25, 2024
New Gowns
Sleeves could either be tie on, which was the most common method. They could be hooked on to the bodice, which is what the method I prefer to use. They could be sewed in which didn’t happen all that often, although is not out of the realm possibility. When they are sewn in, they normally are only tacked in so they could be changed out with just snipping threads.
With most Tudor clothing, the ability to mix, a match was important. So being able to change out sleeves or wear a different partlet, could make a gown look completely different. In the terms of Henrician court clothing changing out the fore sleeves, and the under kirtle could make you look like that you have more clothing too. Yet again, separate pieces gives the appearance the owner look like they had more clothing than what they actually did.
Spirit of this, I actually was able to purchase a new Henrician Tudor Court gown from UK reenactor Izabel of Prior Attire. This is a well worn piece that has been to many historical royal places including Hampton court. I am super pleased with this set, it’s made exactly how I want to make my gowns going forward. Since now owning it, as I am able to use it for patterning. It’s made with various kinds of silk, cotton brocade, upholstery velvet, and much stiffening of the bodies.
So you may see me wearing this set with jewelry in a SCA event. Excited to wear it and I also have a purchased dark red Henrician Tudor gown to mix and match this with so should be interesting.
Here is to 1530-1540 Tudor Goodness,
Mairin
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Kingdom 12th Night
Inspiration for velvet gown |
For myself, I was installed as the Deputy Minister of Arts and Sciences. My boss being THL Rue, took our oath and received our baldrics of office. I have a lot more paperwork that I need to work on for this position. Along with familiarizing myself with other materials.
In the meantime, I have secured a new costuming book. The Cut of Women’s Clothes, 1600-1930 by Nora Waugh. This is a book that I’ve been meaning to get for quite some time. I also have a couple other ones that I’ve gotten off my Amazon book list. And to be honest, it’s about all that I use Amazon for is getting costuming books and some minor sewing supplies.
My bedroom bookshelf is a combination of Pattern books for Renaissance clothing, books about Dolls, books about Automatons, books about the History of Fabric, and books on important royals during the Renaissance period. I have also been working on a more period inspired jewelry, been looking at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Replica jewelry. So placed several orders with Armor and Castings for replica pieces that they make. And are keeping those in dedicated jewelry boxes. The more inexpensive costume jewelry has been relegated to a different box. Those costume pieces have been very useful with doll, so that is what will happen with the remainder of the costume jewelry that I have on hand.
Better get back to it,
Mairin
Monday, December 25, 2023
Happy Holidays 2023
Hi Tudorosities Reader,
May you and yours have the happiest of Holiday Seasons and a Happy New Year! May all the
blessings be abundant in 2024!
Monday, December 18, 2023
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Claudia-Fashion Doll
So more to come just need to figure out the kirtle layer. Although it may not be necessary in this case, since all of the shaping is being done by padding, and the gown itself is not a far off fit. The sleeves on this gown is just amazing and this was a great way of showing off the beating plus the amazing sleeves. I do think a skirt at minimum is going to be needed to help fluff out the bottom but other than that I don’t think I will need the kirtle layer like I originally thought.
Sunday, December 3, 2023
New Gowns for Me
Picture by Elska A Fjarfelli |
This gown I made a few years ago but never worn, it fits just so. This gown features full coverage over my linen/hemp stays. It can be worn with coordinating sleeves, I kept the bodice separate and found that, when it's snug fitted nothing moves from the separate layers. I wore my black-worked pocket, black-worked chatelaine, and coif with partlet made a nice contrast against the gold fabric. Received many compliments and am pleased with how it all coordinated into a cohesive outfit. Besides being comfortably snug which is how these garments worked, I was good all day wearing. Even doing some mild lifting as needed. I need to hem the skirt higher but that is an easy fix.
Picture by Elena De La Palma |
I was able to get some tips from a dear friend on fit on the next gown to make a smoother bodice. The pictures of the blue gown are over my gold one. So it's a snug fit but will be better with one less layer underneath. I added white silk to the puffs on the sleeves and bodice for more contrast. The silk was a gift from my oldest sister Melissa when she was living in Saudia Arabia. The last detail for the blue gown is making the eyelets a little easier to see and just a bit bigger.
For the holidays, I splurged and bought a purple and gold brocade 100% silk from Sartor Fabrics. My order arrived the other day from the Czech Republic. It's the bomb! and am thinking of a gown for this as well but trying to figure out which style of gown I want for this fabric. It's wonderfully heavy and full-bodied, just as period silk fabrics would have been. So working on some ideas for this in my head.Dancing Sugar Plums in gowns,
Mairin
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
More Friends
After |
Before |
Before their doll dresses |
Friday, November 3, 2023
Finished New Friend
This is Charlotte. She is dressed in 1550s Florence Italian. She has a linen camisa with lace collar and cuffs. The under dress is made of a faux silk that has embroidered flowers and leaves, the flowers have a velvet texture.
Down the front of the under dressed, and on the sleeves, there is a soutache decorated velvet ribbon that matches. The overgrown is an orchid purple with gold shot silk which also has a few of the velvet flowers from the fabric underneath to tie in the design.
For jewelry she has a pearl necklace with a Bee, with matching earrings. There is a collar that has purple cabochons, and a chain girl about finishing off in a pearl drop with a crown brooch centered at the waist. And Charlotte here there’s a written Rose wreath around a loosely curled bun.Charlotte really came together quite easily, and I thought I was going to have a difficult time with her outfit. I do have a nice stamps silk velvet in purple that I’m considering using for her and possibly one other doll. I just have to decide if I wanna make a layer the girls over all of this finery.
She is next to the other dolls that I have created, and I am getting quite the little courtly courtiers in my room. It’s been past time to find a curio cabinet but it’s going to be a challenge finding one big enough for all of these.
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
More Doll Goodness
Well, this weekend was quite productive. I was able to assemble the clothing for these two dolls. What I found to be the most challenging was making the paned slashed pants. I decided to add stuffing in the puffs and they really do look like pumpkin pants now. The next step is to work on a belt the one you see here is a bit big. As far as width is concerned, and I do want to be able to attach a sword to this belt. Luckily, this is a faux leather and I can cut it with a pair of scissors, but it still has that nice hand feel like it is a leather and not some sort of shiny vinyl. Currently I’m waiting for the sword and scabbard to arrive in the mail. It’s actually a 10 inch letter opener that looks like a Spanish sword.
For our little lady friend, went through my stash of costume jewelry and had this nice large chain from when I wore a German court gown. Also happen to have a Pomander that doesn’t have any sort of opening hinge to it that is full of potpourri. So I added those together and was able to have this nice belt with pomander. She also happens to be wearing a pearl necklace with a seashell pendant and then I also have an additional necklace with a small costume jewelry brooch with a faux ruby. This I’ll coordinate with the young gentleman who happens to have a larger faux ruby cabochon broach along with his chain. The outfits look so good I am kind of debating if I wanna create an over doublet for our young gentleman. I would definitely be that orange/pink changeable faux silk fabric. Also, looking at some additional hat decoration for the young gentleman, I want to avoid feathers because the cats would eat them.
There has been progress also with the porcelain dolls that have been sitting around for quite some time. The challenging part is to let inspiration, strike, and then create while the motivation moves me. As you can see, Jace wants to lay on the fabrics and take a nap. I’ll sort it out which fabrics and going to use on which doll. And it’s going to be one of those situations where I will be crafting a wonderful dress for each and I’m excited to see how they turn out. Really love the face sculpts on these they’re just adorable. It has dolls are completed. Of course you will have a post for each on here. So stay tuned for more doll goodness.Replica 1560's Venetian Italian Fashion Doll
Replica 1560 French Fashion Doll
Tudor Q and A
A mashed combination of the words Tudor and Curiosity to create the word Tudorosity. Tudorosities is the plural form and the deffinition is as follows.
Tudorosity- an desire to learn or know anything about the Tudor dynasty associated with years 1405 through 1603.
Most people ask my why I make the Tudor garb ?
I find the clothing of this era not only beautiful but also challenging to sew. There is much more care and purpose put into making garments and wearing garments in the Tudor Era. I love the look of Tudor so much I wanted to explore the way clothes were made back then and the subtle changes in fashion and styles of time.
How did you get started in this interesting hobby?
I started with art first, I love to draw, paint, and sculpt all the traditional fine arts. So being able to draw helps me visualize the looks I want to create in my garb. History has always been a huge interest of mine and I've had a knack for sewing since I was 7 years old. It all started with doll clothes and I learned cross stitch embroidery from my grandmother when I was little. I am self taught sewer, crochet, knitting, embroidery and tatting. My methods are learned from books mainly and there is still so much more to learn.
What is my favorite outfit and why?
It would be like picking a favorite out of one of my future children, its impossible. I love all my gown creations and really like the distinct differences in all the styles clothing I make for the Tudor Era.
Do you make the whole outfit including hat, shoes, and undergarments?
I do have a goal of making a complete Tudor from the skin out. As of right now I make 90% of my gowns and accessories. The shoes and stockings, are bought online and the petticoats are a close reproduction but not made by me. .
How long does it take to make a gown?
It all depends on the type of gown. The making relies on the time period and class of the design. Generally if I work on it 8 hours a day on a sewing machine it will take 3 days to get the basics and another 5 days to do finish hand-sewing details and beading. So a week to a week and a half if working on it steady for that amount of time. I work a full-time job so it does take longer than a week to complete. I put over 40-100 hours per outfit depending on its complexity, its like its own full time job of sorts.
Do you make renaissance clothing for sale or custom orders?
No, due to new employment and changes in my lifestyle. Unfortunately, I have no time to support sewing for others. Though I recommend sewing lessons for those adventurous few. There are many fine folks who make and sell historical clothing. I suggest guidance with sew from many fine historical enthusiastic costumers out on the internet.
How long have you been making these elaborate costumes?
I have been in the Society of Creative Anachronism coming up on my 18th year. Active since 2004 working at demonstrations and volunteering when I could between working and other life's distractions. I really concentrated on Tudor sewing in 2007 and worked with patterns to learn proper fabrics, techniques, fit, and silhouette. I really enjoy the eras transition from a medieval form fitting layered cotterdie to the boned Tudor kirtle and then to structured Elizabethan clothing.