The beginnings...past projects

So, why this blog? For myself really, so I can track my projects and show others what I'm working on. Who knows what else it could become, but for the time being here are some things I've made that I wish I had documented in this way....

Here is the first dress for portraying Mistress Mary Radclyffe at the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha, WI. www.bristolfaire.com/bristol. The bodice and skirt were harvested from the first dress I ever attempted to make. The fabric is a poly/cotton blend upholstery weight in a rust red with gold and green details. The trim is a green rayon velveteen with black twist cord. The detail at the shoulder treatment and across the top of the bodice is handcut appliques of the pattern in the dress material, satin edge stitched and beaded with tiny black seed beads. There is also hand done embroidery outlining the pattern in strips down the skirt. Forepart and sleeves are a green washed dupioni silk with black velvet and chinese gimp trims. The headpiece is a stylized version of an attifet also using the green silk and black trim.

The bodice is a split style inspired by this portrait of Helena von Snakenborg

This project was begun in the fall of 2008 with many hours of embroidery and was completed by July 2009.

Here's a snapshot of my family many years ago with the first dress I ever attempted to make using the red fabric.

So there's where it began. Thanks for reading, any comments or questions you know where to leave them! Next up will be my brother's outfit for portraying Sir Robert Sidney, also at Bristol!