SHANNON'Sdresses

ELIZABETHANdress

2005

Not surprisingly, this dress was inspired by the movie Elizabeth, however not by the costumes of Elizabeth herself, but of her ladies in waiting. I liked them more than the fashion of the late Elizabethan era, because they are a lot simpler and less in-your-face. I made it in 2005, from Simplicity pattern #8881.

I have come to be known to 'make dresses out of curtains', and this dress probably took the cake. Curtains, curtains, everywhere. I bought two HUGE green curtains from Savemart, and used most of them on this dress. The copper coloured inlay of the skirt is also made from an old curtain, as is the rest of the underskirt. The sleeves however, are made from an old Glassons top from the 90s. I had to save it. Beautiful fabric made into a repulsive item of clothing. Glassons is bad enough, but 90s Glassons is just sin. So I found the fabric a new home. I think it's much happier now. This dress is surprisingly comfortable to wear. I had to alter the bodice to fit properly of course, and even though I can't bend my spine in it, it's very snug and yummy to have on. The pattern said to just use boning to stiffen the bodice, but I wanted a completely flat front, so I cut up an old thin plastic chopping board and sewed it into the lining - perfect. I didn't quite get the top of the neckline/straps altered correctly though - they are a bit loose, but that's fine.

I bought a brooch from an op shop a couple of years ago, imagining how it would go perfectly pinned to the front of an Elizabethan-style dress such as this one. A year or so later, the dress is finished. It's amazing where you find inspiration sometimes.