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Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of
the Realm of Venus
The Italian
Renaissance Costuming Challenge
April 21 to August 21, 2011
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Christa Gordon
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Location:
Colorado, USA
Bio: Hello!
I'm Christa and I am a historical costuming addict! It's been
too long since I have taken on a real challenge, so I hope I
can face this one head on.
Project:
Embroidered drawers, Silk petticoat, ladder laced gown, ruffs.
Project
Blog:
http://sewcrazy-sewmad.blogspot.com
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My main inspiration, which you can see
below right, is a wood cut from Cesare Vecellio's Costume Plates
(1580s): 'Venetian noblewoman dressed for a public celebration'.
On the left is my design sketch.
In the middle is a collage of all my inspirations.
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| May
1: Over this past week I feel like I have become the queen of
the accessories. I finished a pair of biased cut medium weight
linen stockings with an embroidered courtesan detail above the
ankle gusset and black worked fold over welts (tops). A flag fan
with an embroidered motif of my Household badge and a sculpted
cold porcelain handle. This was the first time I have played
with porcelain and it was a lot of fun! A necklace, earrings and
hair jewels came together quickly. My pocket is also made of
linen and embroidered with the courtesan motif again. This week
I hope to start work on my undergarments: the drawers, camicia
and petticoat. |
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May
22: Progress has been slow as I have had a lot on my plate with the end of the school year. I have done some gold embroidery on my red silk petticoat, started work on a drawn thread handkerchief, and finished two veils. One of gold silk and one long sheer one hand dyed and trimmed with lace. |
June 1: I was able to finish my silk petticoat. I have included close ups of the embroidery motifs used on the petticoat. I also finished a black silk veil trimmed with lace which I have been unable to get a good photograph of so I included the picture it is based on. I hope to have a good picture of it with my next update. I have started the
black-work on my camicia and hope to have it ready for construction soon. |
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June 24:
Progress continues. I've included a picture of the promised veil from the last update, my embroidered
camicia and a painted banner with my device. While the banner doesn't really count towards the challenge it is an object I hope to include in the photos of the final project.
Now to move onto the drawers and then to conquer the dress! |
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July 7:
This really has become a game of survival. Sadly I don't have much to update with this time. My sewing machine has died and will be spending time in the shop. Lucky for me a friend has loaned me hers. So I was finally able to finish my drawers, and have started on the pattern for the bodice. |
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August 4:
The time crunch is so upon me! I have at least one item done for layers 1,2 and 4 leaving just the dress itself to finish!
The bodice is finished, sleeves are patterned and the embroidery started. Skirt panels have been cut waiting to be attached to the bodice. With so much to do I have to cut this short and get back to work! |
| Layer 1: Camicia - handmade bobbin lace trim.
Black-work by machine. Drawers- Black-work by machine
Layer 2: Petticoat- machine embroidery
Layer 3: Gown- ermine cutwork sleeves, beadwork, cartridge pleated skirt attached and pleated by hand.
Layer 4: Stockings- sewn by hand, black-work by hand. Courtesan at clock done w/ machine.
Pocket- Courtesans done by machine.
Partlet- sewn by hand
Necklace
Earrings
Hair Pins
Girdle - with painted miniature of my son
Handkerchief - Drawn thread with linen and gold thread by hand
Plain Handkerchief - plain drawn thread by hand
Gold Veil - hemmed by hand
Yellow Veil - hand dyed
Black Veil
Flag Fan- embroidery by machine, hand painted device. Porcelain handle and topper hand sculpted
Parasol - recovered umbrella hand painted
Zibellino - found fur at estate sale hand sculpted porcelain mask
Cloak
Rosary
Garters
Hair drying hat
Other: Jewelry box- lined with velvet hand painted
Banner- hand painted |
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