I love your fabric. This might sound weird, but too often I look at the all over plaid and it makes me go cross-eyed because it is just too much, but this is very pretty.

You said you do not wear a hoop, but could you wear a corded petticoat?

The same way you feel about "camp wear" is the same way I feel about "wench wear."

The whole things looks great, I can't wait to see more.

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Heather

Founder of the *HistoricCostume
Member of ~TextilesAlliance , *MedievalCommunity and ~Elizabeths-Court

I know exactly what you mean! I often get cross eyed looking at plaid, too. I think if I stare at this dress long enough I can make it happen.

I did wear a corded petticoat with this dress but it smooshed when I sat down.

I do have to say, I don't know much about "wench wear" but if I ever need a resource.. I know where I'll check first!

Thanks again!

haha I'll save my wench wear rant.

--
Heather

Founder of the *HistoricCostume
Member of ~TextilesAlliance , *MedievalCommunity and ~Elizabeths-Court

By all means, rant away! I love reading rants especially when the subject matter involves costuming.

I preface this saying that stereotypical wench wear is what a lot of people start out with, including myself, but that most people eventually branch out into either more accurate peasant wear or other classes or cultures.

I am just so tired of seeing the two gausy skirts made from something sheer or something horribly synthetic with one hiked up to show the underskirt. Matched with that a printed bodice with princess seams that is two sizes too small and laced so tight it gives the boobs-on-a-platter look. Or even worse an underbust bodice and a chemise that isn't quite opaque enough. I've discovered that most of the commercial patterns are typically cut too high in the waist and too low in the front, especailly if someone has more than a b-cup. It's not flattering. It's great I can look at someone and ID the pattern they used, my favorite is when they recreate the picture on the front of the pattern to the letter: fabric and all.

I have no problem using commercial patterns, I started out there as well. I just wish people would change it up a little. Use natural fibers, do simple embellishments like guards or welts add shoulder wings or tabs. Don't even bother with the skirts in the pattern, just sew two rectangles together and put in on a drawstring, it's easier and looks more period.

My roommate is making a gown from a commercial pattern (one of the simplicty ones), but because we are changing up the fabric used, not using a hoop, having her wear a corset underneath and going with a more period sleeve no one will ever know it's this pattern.

I'm sure I sound like a total snob, but oh well. This fall I am going to put my money where my mouth is and finish my Flemish ensemble so I can have some fairly historically accurate peasant wear (part of it is modified from commercial patterns) to show people that is really isn't all that hard to do.

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Heather

Founder of the *HistoricCostume
Member of ~TextilesAlliance , *MedievalCommunity and ~Elizabeths-Court

YAY! I COMPLETELY agree with you! I can pick out patterns so easily... and it kills me to see people listing costumes on deviantArt that say "historically accurate" and then you view it and it's the stupid Shakespeare in Love dress or a hideous Victorian mess...

Sometimes I just want to kick people...

I will say though the S.i.L. pattern is pretty decent as commercial patterns go, but would it kill people to change up the sleeve? The cross hatching and the cap sleeve are the dead give away. Truthfully that one is my least favorite from the movie. I may look into

The thing that kills me is that people turn out a pretty historic looking piece and then I find out it's a cosplay from some anime or a move repoduction. I feel the historic costuming community is so under-represented on DA and so when I see something that looks good I get excited, and if it turns out to be a cosplay I just feel a little let down. I just don't get the whole copying an existing piece thing. Of course, I don't do portrait gowns either.

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Heather

Founder of the *HistoricCostume
Member of ~TextilesAlliance , *MedievalCommunity and ~Elizabeths-Court

There's just something about Simplicity renaissance patterns that makes me cringe.

I agree about the anime/movie reproduction thing. DA should make a separate category for historical costumes.

There are a few portrait gowns that I would consider reproducing, but purely because the trim looks challenging. Well, actually I think Mme de Pompadour gowns are the only ones I would actually try to reproduce.

I would love a "Historic" category, but I don't think there is enough of a demand for it to happen. Although, if they could fraction off the costumes section it certainly would make my browsing faster. I would love an anime/cosplay section, some sort of anthro section for the fur suits and such, a historic section and then a historic section, I think that covers the majority of the stuff I see.

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Heather

Founder of the *HistoricCostume
Member of ~TextilesAlliance , *MedievalCommunity and ~Elizabeths-Court