It is very tempting to use the tried and true bodice shape, with the deep U shaped front neckine, but I think that I should expand my repertoir a little and do this one as a square neck. I really like the neckline on this painting:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvtUMY8vdpNWNFp7KR3Rg6er5uV1zlwnObqhmqOE6QxEpYJt86PzAhrSlGFhWiAm5IXldaaghikoLI_5JkLGpaqoMix6GXhDy10B8y3Nt5Z3ZtoDI1ccFAM8vQaqRJX6koI4fmA/s320/Amberger.jpg)
As it will be a summer frock, I will do some fidgeting with the sleeves, too. I will make them two-part, so that in very hot weather I can take off the forearms part of the sleeve and make myself a bit cooler. Speaking of which, yes, the dress will be made of black linen. This is not really a period choice of fabric - linen, yes; black linen, not so much; black linen as shell fabric, again with the not so much. However... I do not live in 16thC Germany, I live in 21stC Australia. Really, I have to make choices that are not going to cause me to die.
I am thinking that to tart the sleeves up a little, I might put some fake slashies on them. Puff and slash is a decorative element that could be used quite differently, depending on the effect sought, and the style of frock it was going on. So, some slashing is integral with the sleeve, and will show the hemd (chemise) sleeve underneath:
Whereas others a quite clearly false, and would be sewn down onto a supporting underlayer of straight, fitted sleeve:
So, my design choices are mostly made, now all that remains is for me to actually make the damn thing. Do you think if I just pile all the fabric together in a big heap I will come back in the morning and it will have magically turned into a dress? Or is it more likely to have magically turned into a cat bed... Hmmm, tough call.
1 comments:
The big heap of fabric trick has sadly never worked for me...obviously my house elves needs a little training. Your frock ideas sound lovely - and if you are going with your intuition, knowing the pros and cons, I think that is perfectly acceptable (and less likely to lay you low with heat prostration). Looking forward to seeing photos of you in it.
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