ETA: this is moved to my scraps because due to slow bandwidth my computer wouldn't let me update the pic for a new one, so I made a new deviation here [link]


NEW PICS: I did some nicer pics when I was home alone in the hallway. I also took some with the sleeves from my other blue gamurra [link]

A close up of the trim is here [link]

A back view is here [link]

FURTHER UPDATED: I have replaced the photo with one with my Camicia underneath. In the last photo I have a blue strip of fabric where my real waist is. This blue is the blue I am using for my overdress. It will be open down the front, sewn down the sides and will have a decent train on it. I should have some photos of the overdress up within a few days. Then I will get back and finish this one- hopefully the next time I update this it will actually be finished!


UPDATED: I have sewn on the two largest skirt panels, and started decorating the neckline.
Please excuse the fact that I am wearing modern clothing under in these photos, I'll wear a camicia in the next lot I take.

I am making a dress, most of the inspiration comes from this one [link] painted between 1474 qnd 1480. The portrait is of Ginevra de' Benci who was a Florentine (ie, from Florence in Italy) noble woman, she was married in 1474 when she was 16. I have also seen this painting dated at 1475, 1464-76, 1478-1480, 1476, 1474-78 etc, but you get the point, in the latter half of the 1470s. Which is PERFECT for my group time period of 1480, with research from 1470-85 allowed. She was also a similar age to what me persona will probably be.

It was painted by Leonardo da Vinci, you may have heard of him

Ok, about the dress. It is very brown The bodice is done, just one small line (about 20cms) of top stitching and it is totally finished. The skirt has three panels, two 150cm wide, and one narrower, about 60cm I think (have to work it out). The pannels are stacked box pleated, so I need the smaller panel to make the 1:5 ratio. The photo shows one skirt panel pinned on at the front centre. It is just to give an idea, I won't wear a panel like this. The two big panels will each start with one edge at the front centre, and going round to the back, and the small panel will cover my butt (which is feeling very exposed in this photo!)

The sleeves will be brown and partially sewn in (This is a working dress, and I like the partially sewn in look!) However if I find I am sewing them on, taking them off and re-sewing them on too much, then I will just point them on or something. The trim for the neckline looks just like a seven loop fingerloop braid, and is red and gold, and cost only 30 cents a metre, why didn't I ask for more? stupid stupid, I only got three metres, I meant to ask for ten metres but I forgot... but it is enough for a neck at least...

This dress is entirley handsewn, all visible sewing is done in silk thread, all unseen sewing is just done in synthetic thread, I would have used all silk if I had enough. Please excuse the dorky hair. Expect me to update this in a few days

EDIT: In the painting her lacing rings are not offset for spiral lacing, and mine are- that is one detail I did NOT want to copy- this is an inspiration not a lavish re-production!

More pics here [link] and at my LJ [link]