"12th Night" event last winter, but have since then worn and continued to add on to it. This gown is still currently making the convention and event circuit. I have to give huge amounts of thanks to my friend Jess, because without her this never would have been finished on time (she especially helped out on the sleeves, but also with fitting the bodice, especially for my shoulders).
The dress is made of a red on red brocade, and the bodice is double lined with twill and duck canvas. The bodice has a solid steel stay in the center front, a couple of pieces of spiral steel at the side-back seams, and one piece of solid steel in the back. For the rest of the boning in the bodice (for which there is a lot) I used 3/8 inch wide cable ties. I would never have thought that method would work for me (I'm kind of chesty) but it does work.
The trim is wide black velvet ribbon, sewn double, topped with an antique gold lace-like trim, that was also sewn double to make it extra wide. That is then studded with white pearls, on both the bodice and the skirt. The sleeves are matching fabric and trim, with white puffing that is trimmed out with black glass beads. The partlet is a semi-sheer chiffon that is embroidered with small vines and flowers. The neck ruff is something like
12 yards of white rose-shaped lace that is cartridge pleated to a muslin base that ties in the back with ribbon. Covering my hair is a snood, which is not really appropriate for this period (or rather, the type of snood I'm wearing is not), but my hair is short and hard to work with, so I used it anyway. I am also wearing a period appropriate shift under the dress, but that can't be seen (hehe).
I think this took about two and a half weeks to put together, total.
A huge thanks to Deathcom Multimedia for the wonderful photo.
