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Blue Silk 14th Century Gown for Signy

updated ?

In late 2016, I became involved in the Atlantian Royal Garb group, for people who create garb and accessories for the Crown and Heirs of Atlantia. The Heirs, Signy and Cuan, told us they wanted some 14th century garb. We came up with a plan for a few different garments, including matching clothes in blue silk noil. Baroness Eadyth Woderose and I took on the task over creating the gown for Signy.

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We could never have made this gown without enormous help from Baroness Signy Biarnardottir, whose expertise on fittings, patterns, and 14th century clothing enabled us to put together garments that fit without trying them on the recipients at any point (Their Highnesses lived in a different state). 

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Signy bought a beautiful gold seashell chain belt on Etsy, and though not 14th century I found this portrait from the mid to late 16 century!

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We also created what we jokingly refer to as "stunt hair." Signy has short hair, and we wanted a way to do some plausibly period hairstyles with the veils she wore. I bought these Kanekalon Jumbo Braids by The Sassy Collection from Sally's in blonde and auburn. I blended them using this tutorial on YouTube. I looped some of the hair over an elastic headband (I believe it was beige or tan colored) and braided it together. There was one braid on each side. The idea was inspired by this documentation by Elina of Neulakko.

A woman wearing a blue 14th century gown

 

Update, December 26, 2016: The blue silk gown lacks only buttonholes and buttons. We completed 40 buttons for Cuan, 14 buttons for Signy, plus 3 extra buttons for a total of 57 buttons.

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Update, December 30, 2016: The buttonholes are finished! Now I need to sew on the buttons.

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Photo Gallery
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The blue silk noil we used is on top - we had about 8 yards to work with

Sheer gold silk remnants which we lined with white linen to make pin-on sleeves

The pin-on sleeves plus some of the buttons

December 26, 2017: 35 out of 40 buttons for Cuan completed!

December 26, 2017: 40 buttons for Cuan plus 14 buttons for Signy (not shown) plus 3 extra buttons equals 57 buttons! Whew!

February 8, 2017: Three more sets of pin-on sleeves from plaid silk, green linen, and blue linen. The linen ones aren't lined so they will fit slightly more loosely and will be a bit less warm.

The 14 buttonholes

The buttonholes on the inside - reinforced with cotton twill tape (which is white - the lighting makes it look yellow).

The buttonholes on the inside - reinforced with cotton twill tape (which is white - the lighting makes it look yellow).

The two Jumbo Braid hair extensions before I started mixing them

Partially mixed - I took a break

Trying on the completed hairpiece to send a photo to Signy

TRH Signy and Cuan at Twelfth Night 2017 Photo by Lady Cecille Cassaire

HRH Signy at Twelfth Night 2017 Photo by Lady Machteld Cleine

HRH Signy at Twelfth Night 2017

HRH Signy at Twelfth Night 2017 Photo by Mistress Cecilia Blythe

TRH Signy and Cuan at Twelfth Night 2017 Photo by Mistress Cecilia Blythe

TRH Signy and Cuan at Twelfth Night 2017 Photo by Mistress Cecilia Blythe

TRH Signy and Cuan at Twelfth Night 2017 Photo by Mistress Cecilia Blythe

HRH Signy at Twelfth Night 2017 Photo by Mistress Cecilia Blythe

TRH Signy and Cuan at Twelfth Night 2017 Photo by Mistress Cecilia Blythe

TRH Signy and Cuan at Twelfth Night 2017 Photo by Mistress Cecilia Blythe

HRH Signy at Twelfth Night 2017 Photo by Lady Cecille Cassaire

HRH Signy at Twelfth Night 2017 Photo by Lady Cecille Cassaire

HRH Signy at Twelfth Night 2017 Photo by Lady Cecille Cassaire

HRH Signy at the Tournament of Love and Beauty 2017 Photo by Master Marcus Vitellius Ursus

HRH Signy at the Tournament of Love and Beauty 2017 Photo by Master Marcus Vitellius Ursus

HRH Signy at the Tournament of Love and Beauty 2017 Photo by Master Marcus Vitellius Ursus

HRH Signy at the Tournament of Love and Beauty 2017 - you can see the "stunt hair"!

HRH Signy at the Tournament of Love and Beauty 2017 - you can see the "stunt hair"!

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