It’s been a weekend for contemplating clothing. I tried on the kirtle from Kentwell last night, and think either I’d have to lose a bit more weight, or give up breathing for a week 🙁 Tried it on Big today and it looks rather more manageable, so will have to discuss with Katy whether to adjust it for Big, or adjust it for me, or go back to the drawing board completely.
Lots of reading of costume notes today, and perusing of accessory and costume websites this evening. This I might buy a copy of The Tudor Tailor
Going to have to buy shoes I think, really don’t think that I can make them. So that will set us back over £100. This is turning into a fairly expensive history lesson! Still, talking about the expense is a lesson in itself, and discussing how the Tudors would really have managed. It occurred to me that many of the Kentwell costumes that I’ve seen so far are too pristine. They would have been let out, adjusted, handed down, patched – families would not have been able to outfit everyone in new clothes from scratch all the time.
As a break from Kentwell ponderings, Big and I went off to the local art gallery for a private viewing before their new exhibition opens on Tuesday. I’m not entirely sure how we’ve made it on to the invitation only list, but I’m not complaining. It’s rather nice to go along, and today we got to meet the artist/designer/illustrator Sonya Todd, who is the focus of the current exhibition. It was rather fascinating actually – she worked in fashion design in the 1960s, and the prints and illustrations as well as the clothes on show were utterly of that era. I particularly enjoyed the double spread of pics of fashions for Purdy. Think Tim missed out on that one 😉
Quiet afternoon as we’re all tired here. In fact I have no idea why I’m still up, other than that I’ve been pottering about on twitter and randomly commenting on other ppl’s Silent Sunday posts. And responding to comments on mine. All good though.
And the evening involved the obligatory trip to the leisure centre. Big wasn’t sure she could last the whole evening, so instead of dropping and running as I usually do on Sundays, I stopped with Smallest, having popped baked potatoes in the oven for tea, and got to have a lovely chat with another swim club mum. She’s from the North East too, just like Sonya Todd is, so I got my fix of proper accents twice in one day 😉
Dress should feel tighter than you’re used to – probably slightly too tight to start with. It will stretch a surprising amount with wear. You can always put a stomacher in too, which has the added bonus of making it look as though you’re a bit posh and are wearing it over another kirtle 😉 If it really is too small then we’ll look at making it fit Big but (unusually for clothes) if it’s only the bodice that’s wrong then it’s often easier to let out than to take in.
Bernie the Bolt (not far from here, although I’ve only ever bought from him at Open Days or Living History fairs) is a good source of linens and wools. There are a few okay ebay people too, but the problem with buying what you can’t see or feel first is having to trust them when they say it’s got no man-made fibres in there…
Thanks Katy. I’m assuming that it should lace up without much of a gap to begin with, I’m not sure that’s going to be possible. I need to stay away from the bourbon biscuits!
It’s front lacing, isn’t it? If you have a stomacher behind then a gap of 4″ – 6″ is fine to begin with, expecting it to reduce considerably as you get used to it and the wool stretches. Your apron will cover any gaping at the waist. If you bring it to next History day we’ll have a play 😉
Stomacher it is then. Big will be disappointed, she’s rather fond of it already!
Katy is right bodices stretch so much with the first week of wear (i have had to take one in 2 inches before) that depending on how tight it is i would go with it. Also your body shape changes – well mine does- as fat shifts up and down so you can lace it tighter.
Try Ali (Herts Fabrics) as well – colours not always quite right but a good place to start.
Dot (dyer and spinner)
Thanks Dot 🙂 Since I posted this one Katy has laced me into the kirtle and pronounced it a good fit. In fact, she told me not to lose any more weight! Will look in to the fabric recommendation too.