This is a summary of the work with my 1520's court gown. It's been a long project. I wrote in my HSM costuming plans for 2016 that I wanted to make this gown, and now it's almost 5 years later. The years really developed my skills as a seamstress, so I'm happy that I waited until now to make it. The work on this project can be found with the tags 1520's or 1520's court gown. I've worked on the project so long that I haven't had a consistent tagging for it.
Anyway the theme for August was Celebration:
Make something for a specific historical celebration, make something generally celebration worthy, make something that celebrates a historical hero, or just make something that celebrates some new skills you’ve learned.
This ticks all the boxes. It is a gown that was made to be something that could have been worn at the coronation of Christian II in Sweden in 1520. The guests definitely thought it was something to celebrate, before the coronation was turned into the Bloodbath of Stockholm. It is also a gown that is based on something that Christina Gyllenstierna could have worn. She is definitely one of my heroes, and she has a wiki article here if you want to read a short summary of her life. It leaves out a lot, especially in her later life, but it's enough to show what a fascinating character she is. Thirdly this project made learn goldwork, so it celebrates those skills. I still have a long way to go until I master it, but it is definitely a new skill for me.
The kirtle when worn as an outer gown |
The embroidered cap has its own tag here. It is made of fine linen, with an interlining of cotton canvas and a lining of heavier linen. The embroidery is mostly japanese gold thread and pearl purl in different sizes and colours. It is covered by a silk gauze veil that has been tied around the head with the ends tucked in under the cap.
I'm also wearing a reproduction of a necklace worn by Catherine of Aragon, dated to the 1520's, from the etsy seller TudorJewels and a 15th century ring from Historiska Fynd.
So just the facts, and this is for the gown only
The Challenge: August - CelebrationMaterial: 9 meters of silk velvet, 9 meters of unbleached linen, 1,5 m wool broacloth, 1m poly brocade
Pattern: My own, with inspiration from the cut of the skirt from Maria von Habsburgs gown
Year: 1516-1520
Notions: 3 m silk ribbons, silk sewing thread, linen sewing thread, silk buttonhole threads, a ball of wool yarn (for the braided lacing cord)
How historically accurate is it? I've tried my best, but I've had to take more modern short cuts, for example with the poly brocade, so I would say 80%
Hours to complete: I've worked on it on and off for 8 months
First worn: A photo session on October 24th
Total cost: $500
This is amazing!! Great job!
ReplyDelete