Goals & Improvements

Well I received my new corset in the mail.  Tried it on and fit perfectly, was unsure of the sizing by measurement would be right for me. Luckily my guess was correct. I took some more photos while wearing the corset to show how it looks under gowns as well as what it looks like with my other renaissance undergarments.

I want to thank my wonderful readers for all the page views. This blog has reached over 20,000 views this week, thank you! As a gift here are a selection of photos I took with the new under garments.

Humbled,

Mairin

Compare Contrast

 Wanted to give a side by side comparison, I think that even with my few changes it turned out really nice and a good tribute to the outfit in the painting. I like making gowns from paintings but this was a real challenge finding a suitable fabric, which was a find when I found it locally. This dress is very comfortable and I like the colors even more now that I have worn it. When I get my new corset I know that the profile will work better even than seen here in the photos.

 

  Actually both gowns are very nice and turned out gorgeous. I also made a gown out of the cream with gold brocade fabric that was a gift from Duchess Ilish O'Donovan.  The hood, foresleeves and foreskirt being the same fabric, I used the gold lozenge fabric, which I bought for $1, to make a matching trim on the gown. Which the result turned out beautifully. I like these shades than than I thought I would. They work well with my hair and skintone. Guess when you know you know, trust in instinct.

 I finally posted a collection on the previous post of new gown photos, as featured in this post. Couldn't get my phone to take good pictures without the photos eating up all my memory on that device. So still tried and true old Sony digital camera came through. Will have to see what I can do about this, the camera will stop working eventually and I will have to find a reasonable replacement.

Anyway I hope to post more photos soon, will depend on my work schedule and free time. Need to get picture of the brocade rose accent gowns. Which one is leaf green with white trim and the other is gold with red trim.  I have hats for these too, they are more of a general Renaissance style gowns, than from a particular European country. Specifically, I will see if I can 'style' them with accessories to make them more versatile from wearing to wearing. For now got to get back to chores and laundry.

Always a Busy Bee,

Mairin

Teal Pink and White Gown Gallery

Foresleeves, Foreskirts and Hoods, Oh My!

    Over the past day I did finish the velvet salmon colored foresleeves, they look gorgeous! Now on to to the foreskirt/underskirt. I make my underskirts versatile, I along with the Tudors, are big mix and match fans. Since the skirts I make are double faced, which is a non-period technique. Basically instead of using just one facing fancy fabric with a cheaper alternative fabric on the back side of the skirt. I use two fancier fabrics, one on the front and one on the back. Now this would be considered a modern costuming convention to save from making many individual foreskirts. This way I can get twice the use out of one skirt, it also saves space in crowded garb trunks as well.

    Drawbacks, if I decided to sell underskirts I have to sell ether two gowns that match the foreskirt and foresleeves or two foresleeves sets to got with the one skirt. Though this situation is resolved with my reduced selling of premade gowns and more emphasis on custom gowns.

     I do on occasion find that my thinking is inline with period techniques, which alot of methods are common sense. Others such as, meanings of words and other terminology; as well as translating old english language are a bit confusing, with the 500 year time gap and all. Though I surprise myself, with my similar Tudor thought process. In some respects, more than folks really give credit, we are closer to the Tudors than one thinks. My use of foreskirts is not a huge stretch from what they did in period. Everyone back then wanted to look as close to a higher class as they could get away with, which meant buying expensive fabrics and adornment. Though some lesser nobles had to choose carefully with the restrictions of sumptuary laws put out by the crown and the church. So today we can go and wear as we like, which is really a freedom they did not have in the 16th Century. I guess making gowns that have a similar color palate to back then is fun. Though modern reenactors/recreationists get to stretch the envelope so much more than Tudors ever could with our 500 year time advantage. Then there is accuracy and debates on technique, which I will leave for a another post.

    Formulating a plan of attack on making the French hood just like one in the painting for the teal gown. Though I am not going to use colored stones if I can help it on the biliment, the back edge of the hood. If I use just pearls and gold accents I can wear it with more sets of jewels than if I match it with specific colored gems. I have some beads that match the foresleeve beads and plan on using them to tie the French hood together with the foresleeves and foreskirt as a complete set.

    Sets are nice since you can match a hood, foresleeves and foreskirt and use them with more than one gown. The set I am making is also going to also be use with my Cream with Gold Brocade Tudor Gown, that I am working on simultaneously. The Cream with Gold Brocade Tudor gown does have pinkish with gold stones on it and will work great with the foreskirt set.


     Normally am not a huge color pink fan but I find that it suits my skin coloring well. If I go with more salmon, mauve, and shades of peach it really looks good on me. If I go to pale in shades it really washes me out, so I do pay attention to the shades I choose.  Its been fun to work with more unusual colorings in my wardrobe. If variety is the spice of life, bring on the spice!

     I am almost up to 20,000 views, thanks so much for the support over the years. If you are new consider following my blog, to get updated on the latest topics and pictures of my gown making adventures. Will post more pictures of my progress, plan on making a Tudor Garb Gallery with these two new gowns soon.

Sew Crazy,

Maureen

German Saxony Gowns

Wanted to show some German Saxony Renaissance Portraits that inspire me, they may not being exactly the time and coutry my SCA persona is located, this was her adopted home. Though I love well tailored gowns, hats and hairstyles of the 1540-1550 German. I wanted to share these jewels of clothing mastery with my readers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bon Anniversare On Oui!

 Is for Birthday! It is yet again that time of year where on turns a year older. Though every year is significant, we can only be an numerical age once in our lives. The emotional and physical are all together a different cup of tea ;o)  I am turing 30 this year, enter epic music here.Found out I share my birthday with another artist, the Dutch painter and etcher Rembrandt. One of my favorite comedians, Gabriel Inglesias, and many more artists, actors, and musicians!  Hey, creative greatness was made on this day it seems.

Though my 20's were alot of fun and a rollercoaster ride, I am glad to say things ironed out nicely. I feel full and ready to start the next decade ready to make changes in finanical obligations, career, and family in this next 10 years. I want to have a reasonably good new job for Justin and I, reasonable priced cozy moderately roomy house with a good size yard and large shed, and a would like to start a family after the first two are established. Let see if life goes according to plan, I think I heard the Lord laughing. ; -)

I did recieve some early birthday gifts, recieved season 1 and 2 of The Borgias from Justin, and bookshelves for the house that has opened up so much room in our crowded little home. We can walk through so much easier, and alot of things are up off the floor. I am happy with it all. There is still some space yet to fill on the shelves, which no doubt Justin will find ways of using. With the additional space made I was able to rearrange a few things in the sewing room. I am going to do more summer cleaning this week. Did finally get my smocking machine from Ebay. Now I can work on some aprons, smocks, and neck ruffs and wrist cuffs. So very neat little machine, can't wait to see how it all works out.  I did have a source for an overlock/serger for $25 but would have to pick it up from about an hour or so away.

Finished one of the gowns I was working on, the gold and red gown with rose accents. I also have the green and white one donet too. I have to put boneing and laceing rings in both but so far so good. Have to locate the bunch of boning I had but has seem to disappear for some reason. I have to work on the teal and coral creation starting this week. Also have some repair work for my father in law to complete too. Completed many beaded hair coverings made from lacy dresser scarves, will post pics with the gown details are done, they all sort of match which is neat.

This last month has been rough for me, family wise. I have been learning to cope with my mom's diagnosis with cancer. She has been in good spirits, but is concerned with how its all going to work out. I have been keeping touch with her via text message more than usual. She and I have been doing this for a while, and is a great way for us to touch base. I have been trying to keep her in good spirits and keep her mind off the obivous. Despite the prognosis, it was caught early and she recieved her operation to remove the areas affected. Visited yesterday, depsite being tired and tender she is doing well. Was nice to see my 3 sisters, Father, and to get in touch with them too.

So the family bit has taken wind out of my sails, some enthuisasim with some things. Though I want to be strong for my Mom and won't let it get me down. Things look good for her now, all we can do is wait and pray and hope it doesn't come back. Her type is aggressive but was caught early so the best prognosis all things considering.


Thoughtful Reflection,

Maureen

English Tudor Gowns

Wanted to show some Tudor Renaissance Portraits that inspire me, they may not being exactly the time and coutry my SCA persona is located, this was her adopted home. Though I love well tailored gowns, hats and hairstyles of the 1540-1550 English. I wanted to share these jewels of clothing mastery with my readers.