Alb Gores

Well, I _finally_ got to take a look at the alb gore — Awesome pix! There is a technique called ‘Italian Smocking’ that creates diamond patterns similar to that seen in the gore. The directions for it are in a book called MANIPULATING FABRIC . . . I think. I …

Pleated Textiles from Lödöse (12th Century Göteborg, Sweden)

Original Subject line: “Pleating from Den Ljusa Medeltilden“ {Editor’s notes:  #1 — This discussion refers to an article (“Medeltida dräkt i bild och verklighet” — ” Medieval costume in image and reality” published in a book called “Den Ljusa medeltiden: studier tillägnade Aron Andersson” — “The Bright Middle Ages: studies …

Hems

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 …

Trim or Embroidery?

Most of the websites I’ve seen recommend trim to embellish bliauts. Is this because it better replicates what was used or because it’s easier than embroidery? I have some trim that has a good pattern, but I also have some good patterns for my computerized embroidery machine. Which one is …

Sleeves?

I’ve seen the argument for both the angel wing sleeve and the maunch-type sleeve. Do the more learned folks on this list lean towards one or the other? Also, what is a good length for the sleeves? I’m not sure I have enough fabric for them to go all the …

Lacing

Was the lacing done with a single cord (spiral style) or 2 cords (cris-cross method). Are there pics/close-ups showing this anywhere? ~ Joleicia / Carolyn Holley Message #1008, April 10, 2003 The only evidence for what kind of lacing was used that I know of is [this image from the …

too lazy to embroider

I am working on my bliaut, and finally realized I am never going to embroider the sleeves like I want to. I was thinking of quilting a band and attaching it instead. I was thinking of something along the lines of the border pattern on this manuscript http://www.aemma.org/onlineResources/manesse/manesseHome.htm Isabeau Eagdyth …

Rounding Gores

Do y’all round the hems of gores before you set them into your tunics/dresses? What happens if you don’t round them? Can I set them in and then just let the dress hang overnight? Or will the sewing gremlins attack my machine if I do such a thing? ~ Jannifer …