…then I’d already have it. I just can’t find the instructions to my Reconstructing history pattern. I was thinking of trying to draw my own illustrations to figure out what she’s saying. Kass really REALLY needs to have more clearly drawn illustrations to explain things that must seem really simple in her head (but then I look at the dress from her blog and wonder if I’m not missing something, that she thinks it’s supposed to be lumpy?). Clear illustrations are your FRIEND… (not going into a rant right now, not going into a rant right now, k, better)
I’ve been cutting and pasting my Past Patterns Cranach gown pattern together. It’s like half of the instructions tell you to go look at certain steps from another view. Copy and paste? Is it so hard? *sigh* So that’s what I’m doing, old school with scissors and rubber cement. I want one list to look at, not to fiddle through pages of instructions to scroll down and get confused. It’s easy enough to get confused when the directions are all in one neat list. Don’t make me keep jumping…
A good thing: I just found a pair of online instructions for a Landsknecht Tellerbrettbarett (Pizza Hat). Yay for hats that not only invade other people’s personal space, but they also beat it up and take it’s lunch money.
CWotW – Gaiters
My Findings:
Gaiters are a lower leg covering that extends from the instep of the foot, over the ankle, and covers the calf, sometimes over the knee. They were used in military dress, and are still used by hikers and climbers to protect their legs from undergrowth and cold. They could be made from any sturdy heavy material such as cotton canvas, leather or modernly, thick polyesters and nylon. Most of the ones I have seen button up, but also can be buckled (I have a decorative pair that lace up at the side). These are not to be confused with spats, which are simply a short version of gaiters that only cover the instep and ankle and were mostly used for decorative purposes. FOR MORE CLICK HERE…
Ok, now I’ve totally got Saxon gowns on the brain.
I’m making up a page for it. It’s going to take a while to compile notes + photos, but it’s in progress.
In other news, been working on a princess dress for a 5 year old little girl. I love how the “french hood” turned out. So much better than in the pattern photos.
Photos will be posted when done.
Ok, I went to the Cynnabar Garb Workshop today and we ended up talking about the Cranach Saxon gowns and the camp frau gowns.
I have been wanting to make one of these gowns for like, forever. I like the off the shoulder style simply because I get overheated easily when something is on the back of my neck.
I have two patterns, and I don’t really like either. Both of their instructions assume you have ESP and can guess what they were thinking of when they put the instructions together.
Now I’m just wondering, how would YOU build one? Would you use a stomacher of sorts for the white part behind the lacing? Would you attach the bodice to the skirt? How would you close the skirt? (I have looked at this A LOT online, and I can’t agree with the idea that only young girls can wear this dress. I just wish more people would post photos of the insides, or a 1/2 dressed version…)
CWotW - Flat Lining (also Underlining)
My Findings:
Flat lining can be used to stiffen anything you sew that you need to have be more stiff such as a structured bodice, cuffs, lapels, and ESPECIALLY corsets.
Basically, you have your fashion fabric that you cut into your pattern shape. You cut another out of your flat lining fabric (usually a stiffer material such as canvas, but any sturdy, woven fabric such as muslin should work), then lay it on top of your fashion fabric, Fashion wrong side to Flat Lining right side. Then you stitch INSIDE the seam allowance (in between where your seam and the edge of the fabric is) all the way around. Repeat for each piece. Then use them as if they were just one piece. Then finish your seams as normal (binding, serging, flat felling, French seaming, zigzagging, or pinking).
This is also called “Underlining”, and is often confused with “Interlining” (Yes, I’m guilty of that). Underlining is using a fabric as described above, where as interlining is used to add warmth to a garment (At least this is what the Threads Magazine article told me).
FOR MORE CLICK HERE…
