mlsdesigns | A forgotten deadline!

Yesterday, while revelling in piles and piles of books, I was reminded about out upcoming trip to Tolethorp to see an open air Shakespeare play in Elizabethan kit... it's the Saturday after the demo!
So, this morning I dug out my kirtle from the naughty corner, where it has been since Easter, and lugged out Patterns of Fashion and the Tudor Tailor, opened up my Elizabethan bookmarks and got stuck in. Luckily, it's time in the naughty corner did it good, and I now have something that looks like a dress!
If you need proof,

Unfortunately one of the lacing rings popped open when I first laced them on!
The mockup didn't have a gap, but once all the extra layers and bones went in, even though I'd left lots of seam allowance at the front, I found I couldn't lace it shut over my bust, one of the reasons it had to go in the naughty corner! But after looking at lots more pictures and things, I've come to the conclusion I rather like the look :) So I cut off the extra seam allowance I'd included to make it look meant!

I'm wearing Mummy's 18thC shirt, I think I may end up wearing it, and not making a linen smock as planned, appart form not having frills it looks pretty much the same as my planned smock, so I may as well not give myself extra work!

The skirt was only pinned on at this point, it's now mostly whipped on, just the four thickest pleats to stitch down to the rest of the skirt where I couldn't stitch so many layers to the bodice.
I also need to do the hem, I had so little fabric I have to bind it, and I'm thinking of using velvet, and putting a guard on the skirt as well. I'm going to see if I have any of my brown silk velvet left, I think I may have a few scraps. Or I have some black synthetic silk velvet that I used to use as a table cloth when I sold jewellery at craft fairs, I know I've got lots of that!

I'm trying to juggle Elizabethan sewing (not just the kirtle, a hat and caul, and maybe, if I feel up to it, some kind of loose gown ... I have some exciting (I think!) plans, in that line!), bustle planning, and dressmaking, and it's going well so far!

Last night was spent poring over books and coming up with a bustle plan for the demo (including, naturally, a fabulous hat!) and I've got another Sorbetto top all pinned and ready to go tomorrow! I've also taken some photos of the inside of one of my dresses that I'm so proud of!

I don't know if I mentioned the yellow polka dot satin lining before ;) The beige seersucker dress has the same!

I'm also sad enough to have my own labels! They are actually useful though - in the back of a skirt for example, to say which is the back, or if I make PJs or something :) But mostly it's just for the fun of knowing, if I take my clothes off, people will still know I made them ;)

Right, now it's time for bed, loooads to do tomorrow!