The Tudor Rework

Well, it's been a while since I've posted, so time for an update on the latest project. I'll go back later on and add a blog with some other things I've been working on in the meantime.

Our Highness asked for a rework of an old Tudor gown she made, for the Atlantian Twelfth Night event in Mid-January. Below are some pictures of the gown as I received it.

 The over skirt. On a solid waistband stiffened with plastic. Silver machine embroidery stitch down the edges. Decorative clasp on waist.

 Close up of the embroidery and decorative clasp.

The bodice. Machine embroidery top and bottom, Silver fleur and plain white pearl beads. 

 Close up on bead/embroidery work.

 Center Fleur-de-lis

 The sleeves. The arm hole should be readjusted for much greater drape. 

 Close up of embroidery on turned back cuff.

 Attachment of sleeve to bodice and embroidery.

False sleeve. 

False sleeve cuff.

Forepart, with bead work down front panel.

There's going to be a fair amount of reworking going into this dress. The plan is to remove all the machine embroidery from the bodice and heavily embellish the top of the bodice with trim work and beading. The fleur in the center will be gold-couched and have small beads applied to the points. The skirt panel will have thick decorative trim added down both front sides, to match the embellishments on the bodice top. The sleeves will be attached directly onto the arms of the dress, and the embroidery on the sleeves will be covered with matching decorative work also. The skirt has been removed from the waistband and will be attached directly to the bodice with a panel in the bank for ease of getting into and out of the gown. Some minor fit adjustments in the neck and shoulder area, as well as a repair to a couple of split seams will be finished as well.

The under-sleeves will be remade to better fit underneath the drop sleeves, as the sleeves would suit the false sleeves much better if they had a significantly larger drape. As they are fairly tight fitting, cut sleeves in the french style will be made to go underneath. The possible choices for the under sleeves fabric are:

The left is a cream, with a natural gold/brown work, and pale blue fleurs. The design in this would complement the forepart. The right is a gold brocade weave, which would also go nicely with the dark navy of the gown.

The trims selected are shown below, accented on either side with a plain gold braid trim. The trim  will ornament the top of the bodice, the front of the skirt, and most likely the sleeve cuffs. 

This gold braided trim will line either side of the above decorated trim, and embellish the neck line, sleeve cuffs and front edges of the skirt.

It's going to be an intensive project as I've got about a two week window to get it together and reworked, as well as some adjustments of fit to the shoulders and bodice.

Looking forward to getting it done, and getting some shots of it on our Princess :)


~ E.