Ravenclaw Renaissance Pt. 2

The purse is attached to a belt under the doublet

Sewing takes so much more time when the sewing machine doesn't like you and you insist on hand finishing. Smock is machine sewn on the long seams and then hand finished, same with the bodice and skirt. The partlet is almost completely hand sewn except for the piecing and the collar because of the ruffle.I know everyone raves about Margo's patterns but really I'm feeling a little let down. The instructions are not all that clear in some areas and even reference the Lady's Wardrobe pattern at one point but oh well, you live and you learn. Like I said in my first post the bodice and skirt are linen the shift and partlet are a cotton/linen blend, I made sleeves for the outfit but it was just too hot to wear them. I would have pinned them on because I didn't have time to add points but I've seen pictures with women's sleeve just pinned on so I would have been ok.

Me with one of the lovely workers at the Faire

I didn't put pocket slits in the skirt when I should have so I'll remember that for the next outfit I make. But I did make an awesome purse for myself with the Tudor Rose on it. The inspiration came at midnight before the event..... I didn't go to bed until 2:30 am the morning of; I had a great time but I crashed when we got home. I also purchased a Dragon from Imaginarium Galleries, I've waited over 6 years for this. He does not have a name yet, but I am sure that will change soon.
So what did I learn while wearing the outfit? I need to fix the shift, the opening is too big so I am going to put a strip of linen in to fix the problem of it being to open at the bosom. If I make another shift it will be a high necked one so I don't have to wrangle the partlet into submission over the course of the day as well. Also it will be out of finer material as well. The skirt was so much fun to wear and twirl in plus it was super comfy. I will however need an under petticoat (I know the horror that I didn't make one) because the skirt got caught around my ankles on occasion. This may be because of the stockings I was wearing.... Please excuse the funny face, my grandmother took the picture right as I was saying SOCKS with some enthusiasm. I know they aren't period but they were the only ones I had that would work. I am planning on getting more appropriate stockings in the near future. The picture also shows my wonderful shoes from American Duchess! So what about the boyfriend you might ask? Well he ended up not being able to come with me so his outfit is uncompleted and it waiting for us to decide on if we are going to the Faire in Santa Fe or not so I can get his outfit put together.

Ravenclaw Renaissance

Long time no post. So lots have happened since the last post, a break up, I graduated from undergrad, moved to Santa Fe, started grad school, started another relationship, finished my first year of grad school and now I'm looking to sew again. The Renn Faire is going on back at home soon and I'm going home for vacation. So I started planning a Ravenclaw inspired Renaissance outfit. I bought Marrgo Anderson's Working Woman's Pattern

I'm done with the main seams of the smock so that just needs hand finished. The partlet needs the collar put on and then the rest needs to be started. I'm making the skirt and flat cap in midnight blue linen and the bodice & sleeves in silver linen. The new boyfriend is coming home with me and so I bough Margo's Men's pattern as well.

His doublet and sleeves are going to be gold twill and his Venitian's will be midnight blue but twill instead of linen. His shirt is in process and he's still deciding on if he wants a flat cap or tall hat. My other purchase for this outfit was a pair of American Duchess Virginia Renaissance Shoes. They were on sale and the last pair was my size so I had to grab them up. 

Photos will follow as I get pieces done.