Gallery - Click on images for a larger view

Custom wedding gown & veil,
deep violet satin with silver lining.

Decidedly middle class bodice & skirt, with forepart and underskirt. Bodice is a detailed brocade in earthy greens, the skirt is box pleated cotton velvet overskirt with sage jacquard forepart. (golden yarn dyed underskirt not shown.  MiLady in her new garb, (with alternate sleeves).

Late period Italian gown with wine silk beaded pintuck and deep blue cartridge pleated twill, 100% Italian linen camicia.

(left) Late Italian green silk taffeta gown, pintuck sleeves, full silk chemise, corded corset.

Inspired by Robin Netherton's, the Gothic Fitted Dress seminar. (left) Laced front green 100% wool with linen lining. (middle) Blue wool, buttons. (right) Violet silk/linen blend with 100% linen lining  Both dresses used "curved front" lacing with hand sewn eyelets.

Four panel pattern using the "pinch" fitting method.  A four piece pattern block was fitted by pinching it into the desired fit while on the body and then basted.  The seam lines are then marked and the block removed.  The pattern is then "averaged" and used to cut the dress panels.  Gores are added at the front and back center seams at belly button level. Once worn for a few minutes the wool and linen warm to body temperature.  A properly fitted Gothic dress is one of the most comfortable gowns to wear, with or without foundation garments.  Its a favorite at GotGarb.com and we've made many!

Gothic fitted dress, approximately 1350's.  Shot wool (warp thread black, weft thread burgundy)  Tan linen lining. The elbow close up is closest to the real color.  Button closures and "hinged sleeves".

(Left) NOT SO FITTED Gothic dress with "hinged elbows" and hand made buttons, based on patterns from Cotte Simple. 100% dyed wool twill with linen lining. This dress has been well worn, but the over-dyed wool color did not last. The color has continued to fade with each laudering. For future reference, start with the fabiric in a color you really like...

Teal mohair wool bodice & skirt, black linen sleeves, full Italian chemise with blackwork neckline.

12th night 2007 12th Century Bliaut, shot silk with 100 year old trim.

T tunic (left) Young man's doublet (right) 12th night 2007

M'Lady on her way to church. Period Patterns #41

Simple Italian gown, box pleated green twill. (shown with linen full sleeved Italian camicia)

Italian Camicia (Camicie or Chemise)

Based on these extant garments.

A first attempt at a reasonable facsimilie of an Italian camicie based on extant garments. Using gores on the sides only, gathering at the top of the sleeve and an under arm gusset. Also, the neckline has gartering only at the horizontal edges (front and back) so that the top of the shoulder is smooth. This is really a mock-up in soft cotton muslin with machine blackwork and modern lace. The cuff is smocked to gather it. The next one will be in fine linen and embellished more.

(Thanks to Realm of Venus for the images)

Short Hand Smocked Chemise (may be known as shirring) Romani style, with hand embroidered silk shawl

Italian Chemise with Blackwork or Redwork in cotton.

1870's Couple

(yes, its out of period, but life is more fun in costume!)

Linen Lawn Chemise

Hand sewn, with simple tapered sleeves, meant to fit under a tight fitting gothic style dress. Smocked neckline with black and white edged cuffs.  This is beautiful shear linen lawn fabric.

Piratey Doublets

(guess who really needs a tricorn hat?)  

Market Umbrella Conversion. Make your umbrella into a periodoid pavilion.  This is an 8 spoke (54") wooden umbrella.  Add walls and dagging and you're good to go!  This one ended up 13' across at the bottom from point to point.  It took less than 18 yards of 60" wide fabric. (using the existing cover saves fabric, but may not be water repellent).  All the seams are reinforced with nylon mason twine, which helps transfer the stress down to the stakes, so NO ROPES!  There are loops at the point of each spoke for tie downs in case of high winds. Beware! Your tent is only as strong as the frame.

Canvas is no match for Grandma's old Singer sewing machine! (electrified treadle) Period Pavilion, based on patterns from:
Dafydd ap Gwystl
House Greydragon
Max &
Mickel's
Don't miss the pavilions page!