SHANNON'Sdresses

RENAISSANCEgarb

September 2007

This dress I actually made purely with the intention of selling on Trademe. I had a pattern I wasn't planning on using for anything, and heaps of leftover fabric I'd used for two other dresses that I didn't plan on using again, so I thought I'd use those things in a way that I may benefit. And I intentionally made it a couple of sizes too big so I wouldn't be tempted to keep it.

It is made from Simplicity pattern #7756, and from the same fabric I used for both my yellow flapper dress and my yellow medieval dress. It has detachable sleeves, which attach with ties through an eyelet on the sleeve and a small loop inside the armhole that can't be seen when wearing without them, and it laces down the front through small loops of ribbon attached to either side of the opening. I also made an ankle-length chemise to be worn underneath it. The neckline of the chemise does stretch over the shoulders for that wench/barmaid look, but I only realised this after I'd taken photos.

When I finished this dress I decided I actually quite liked the style, and decided to make another - that would actually fit me - with the yummy rusty-brown coloured velour fabric I bought not long ago - but without the sleeves. For the meantime, the concept sketch for this can be found on the Future Ideas page.

Update: Dress sold on 7/10/07