Elizabethan Costume |
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This is my first try at an Elizabethan gown. All things considered, I don't think it turned out too badly. There are some historical inaccuracies, which I won't go into right now, but most of them are invisible to the casual observer. (Except, of course, that the neckline of my bodice is too high and that the shoulders are having a hard time staying on my shoulders . . .) The sleeves--I got the pendant sleeves (those are the long oversleeves that are hanging down my back) from a picture of Queen Elizabeth. Granted, I didn't stuff my other sleeves, but the idea is similar. The French hood--I got my pattern and directions for making the French hood from Constructing a French Hood. Normally, I wear my hair tucked back under the hood, but I had forgotten to bring bobby pins to this event. There is a billiment (a decoration of gold and pearl bead across the top of the hood) which is not very visible in the picture. The bum roll--I am wearing one over my farthingale. You can see the roll supporting the skirt in the rear photo. For anyone who is considering foregoing a bum roll for an Elizabethan gown, thinking it will make you look fat, think again. The bum roll increases the difference between the hips and waist and actually helps to flatter the figure, which really is a consideration, by the time you deal with the extra layers a boned bodice will add. The decorations--There are pearls sewn on the gold trim on the overskirt. I have since beaded the pendant sleeves to match the overskirt, and I am in the process of sewing an estimated 3000 beads on the underskirt. I will post detailed pictures when I finish. |
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