RenFaire Wear Part 5 - patterns # 2589 and 2621 Tudor gown and underpinnings

These patterns are for the very serious Renaissance Faire attendee or could be used for people who work and perform there.

I made these a couple years ago. I didn't take as many photos as I would today.  But, I do have photos to show the dressing order, which I can share.  Tomorrow I will show the photos I took while making the hood.

All the dress fabrics are actually home decor fabrics as is the corset.  The under sleeves, shift, farthingale and corset binding are all made of 100% linen.

#1 put on the shift

#3 then the farthingale (hoop skirt), pull the front under the busk at the front of the corset.

#5 it's ties also goe under the busk. Tying it under the busk will keep it in place

#7 The underskirt acts goes over the farthingale. You could put a petticoat between the farthingale and underskirt.

#2 next the corset or "pair of bodies"

#4 after that comes the bum roll.

#6 Here's a side view.

Here is the complete ensemble. The lower portion of the sleeves is tied to ribbons inside the main sleeve.

Above is a portrait of Elizabeth I as a young girl. You can see this was the dress style of the time.

This is Janna K.S. Reck from Greer, SC, one of the winners in the 2009 Simplicity pattern competition. She is about the same age Queen Elizabeth was in that portrait. Isn't she so sweet!

If you want to know more about clothing from this time just for fun or to make a costume that is more authentic, the best and most comprehensive website to visit is Elizabethan Costuming. It would take a year, at least, to read all the information there.  There are links to everywhere. It is really excellent. Actually, if I were going to make another gown like this, I would visit this site.  There are endless links to portraits to get ideas to make fabric choices.

And the best place to go for corset supplies is Farthingales.  They have everything you need.