by Vittoria | May 3, 2023 | 1490s, Under Gown
Now that you have a proto pattern civilized from the duct tape, and starched fabric, it’s time to quilt the fabric layers together by machine. This is a machine approximation of hand pad stitching. Before you can quilt you need to take a look at the fabric you...
by Vittoria | Apr 2, 2023 | 1490s, Under Gown
Now that you have pattern pieces, it’s time to begin fashioning the inner structure, “the guts”, of your bodice. There is no set-in-stone rule for this. If you are of a slight build with an A cup, you could get away with two layers of quilting...
by Zanetta | Apr 2, 2023 | 1490s, Under Gown
For this 1490s Venetian underdress, I choose a lightweight– almost tropical weight– teal wool from Pendleton’s. This wool was purchased as two 3-yard remnants. I found a lovely jacquard trim on Etsy to compliment it. The trim came in the same...
by Vittoria | Apr 2, 2023 | 1490s, Under Gown
To get from feral tape double, to a useable pattern, we need to civilize it. I start by cutting it apart at the seams lines, and further removal of excess at armholes and below the waistline. Once I have the pieces in question laid out, I take a good look at them and...
by Vittoria | Mar 5, 2023 | 1490s, Over Gown, Sleeves, Under Gown
Venetian bodices, within the entirety of the 16th century, are at the very least moderately supportive, to highly supportive and figure-shaping. The proper fit, small enough to compress and mold the body where it should and large enough for comfort, is critical. In...
by Vittoria & Zanetta | Mar 5, 2023 | 1490s
The detail above is taken from the Vittore Carpaccio painting The Departure of Ceyx. While the painting is assumed to be dated 1502-1507, the styles of dresses worn by the women within this painting are clearly of the 1490s decade. A complete outfit at this...