Would the hem on a bliaut or chemise be wide or narrow? And if narrow would there be a narrow trim band on the hem edge of the dress either on the inside or outside to add a bit of weight to the hem and
help the drape and swirl of the skirts? Is there any evidence from earlier or later garments that could be used for inference?
~ Æla / Susan Tillery
Message # 1033, April 18, 2003
I don’t know if we have any existing hem bits…personally, with a full, gored skirt like the one on a bliaut, it’s a lot easier to make a narrow hem, because you don’t have to deal with the taper as much. As far as trim, there seem to be at least a few statues showing decorative things at the bottom of the skirts, so it’s certainly a possibility.
~ Brangwayna
Message #1040, April 19, 2003
Judging from artwork – some kind of trim is sometimes applied to hems, but more often the bottom hem is shown untrimmed (think of the length, washing, etc – you’d have to be really rich). In the occasional style where the overdress is shorter than the underdress, trimmed hems seem to occur more often, but still not all the time.
Don’t take my word (and a fairly sleep deprived one at that – just back from 6 days at medieval festival) from browsing – look for some pictures, that best represent the exact style of garment you are making, and see how they are wearing their hems.
~ Teffania Tukerton / Tiffany Brown
Message #1056, April 22, 2003