65) The Thursday Tudor: photo updates

Here's the kirtle (the main dress) so far, on the dress dummy:

 

It doesn't really fit the dummy, despite being set to the same measurements as mine, because I'm squishable and the dummy isn't.  In that photo, the shoulder straps have been finished and the skirt cut to length (but not yet hemmed); to contrast, here's a shot of me in the dress when I was fitting the straps:

 

It laces a bit more closed on me, eh?  That's not the shirt I plan to wear under the dress, by the way; it's just the one I happened to have hanging around...

And a back view, again when the straps were being fitted:

 

I really like this shot!  I think the fit of the bodice is pretty good, the strap placement is great, and the pleats of the skirt look fab (or will once the fabric is ironed, anyway).  The one thing I'm not enamoured of is the big, horizontal wrinkle you can see above the waist.  I *think* I've sorted that one out by shortening the straps a bit, but only time will really tell...

I'm also really proud of the waist closure on the petticoat:

The cord is just a piece of finger-braiding (learned from here), but for some reason, I think the whole thing just *works*.

And I'm sure you'll also be glad to hear that I've not been neglecting the demo itself.  I want to be able to show spinning wool, flax and silk, and I've finally got the distaff fitted to my wheel and dressed:

 

Not the neatest job in the world, perhaps, but it's done.  And I can spin from it, which is a definite bonus. 

As for my day-by-day plan?  Well, that went a bit wonky.  For a start, it didn't include the whole 'sleeves' issue (yes - the fabric arrived yesterday).  Secondly, I had an evening off yesterday, and went out for dinner and drinks with friends.  So the progress stands as follows, with items in italics being things that I forgot to account for the first time round:

Tuesday:

• Cut hem of dress to final length - done!
• Finish cone distaff, and dress it - done!
• Attach cuffs to shift - half done.

Wednesday:

• Finish partlet - nearly there - needs ironing and a hook/eye closure
• Hem shift
• Mark neckline for shift
• Wash sleeve fabric - done

Thursday:

• Hem shift neckline
• Attach ties to shift cuffs and coif
• Dye sleeve fabric

Friday:

• Hem skirt and lining
• Warp loom
• Finish getting all demo materials together
• Make sleeves
• Stockings??

Saturday:

• Anything left over...

Comments

[Cally]

Ooh, it's looking good! And I wouldn't say "just" a piece of fingerbraiding - I think it is fab. Since I learned to do this in the summer I have been meaning to replace all sorts of drawstrings with neat square cords, but I reckon I need a list like yours to keep me on track.

[Shannon B]

I've been watching in silence for all this time, and now that I have seen your gorgeous kirtle I have to say "Wow" and also "You are crazy!" What an ambitious project...but it will be so impressive finished!

[gayle]

Cheering you on! It's going to be stunning.
Thanks for the braiding link, btw. Sort of like kumihimo, without all the equipment.