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This costume is a good example of why florescent lighting at a fabric store is such a bad thing and why Ott-Lite® has a great product opportunity in making a small battery powered portable light. When I purchased the brocade fabric it looked maroon and the maroon trim I purchased at the same time seemed like a good match. Once I saw the fabric in normal daylight I was very disappointed to realize that it was in fact pink! I despise pink. But since the damage was done, I found matching pink satin and bead trim, hoping for the best. After completing it I reaffirmed that I despise pink.
I sewed the blouse in black cotton. The trim at the sleeves is a black Venice lace butted against a gold and black metallic rick rack. The trim at the collar is a smaller black Venice lace overlaid by the same gold and black metallic rick rack. The black gloves were a gift.
Deviations from the pattern: I modified the pattern by eliminating the Velcro® closure at the back, using a snap instead.
Notes on this pattern: I liked this blouse pattern a lot and plan to use it for more costumes. Unlike most Renaissance blouses, this is a somewhat fitted body which means there's no extra wasted fabric to smooth down under whatever is worn on top... yet it has the full sleeves that are both attractive and comfortable.
Lessons learned: I would lower the neckline by a small amount for comfort.
I sewed the dress in pink brocade, lined with pink satin. The trim is a maroon multicolored flat trim. The pink and gold fleur de lis pin was a costume jewelry flea market find. The pouch is not part of the pattern, rather it is my own that I will be uploading soon. The trim on the front of the pouch is the same maroon multicolored flat trim and the trim along the back edge is the same pink bead trim as on the headpiece veil.
Deviations from the pattern: I bound the underarm seam on the inside (not that you can see it) to eliminate the only raw seam the dress would have had.
Notes on this pattern: I am not modeling this like the other costumes because it no longer fits. Be aware that this pattern, unlike many other Renaissance patterns, is closely fitted with no room for your weight to vary.
I sewed the headpiece in pink brocade, covering a bridal headband with the same fabric. The trim on the headpiece across the top and where it meets the headband is a pink bead trim. I sewed the veil in a gold organza type fabric. At the bottom is more pink bead trim.
Deviations from the pattern: I hand sewed the headpiece onto the headband instead of using glue and hemmed the veil instead of leaving the edge raw.
Lessons learned: I would use Timtex interfacing™ (used for baseball hat brims) in the headpiece instead of the heavy weight interfacing, which just doesn't hold up to the weight of the veil. I would also hand sew actual beads on for the trim instead of using the very commercial looking bead trim.
I sewed the skirt in pink satin.
Deviations from the pattern: I created a real waistband instead of using grosgrain ribbon at the pattern instructs. I also inserted a zipper instead of leaving the back opening wide open as the pattern instructs.
Notes on this pattern: I am not modeling this like the other costumes because it no longer fits. Be aware that this pattern, unlike many other Renaissance patterns, is closely fitted with no room for your weight to vary.
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