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| The Wardrobe | Sewing Room | Contact |
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| Its that time of year again! The first Open Day has been and gone and Easter has just passed us!! This summer (2005) Kentwell has decreed that we are to portray the year 1569! |
| Reason for Making a New Gown. |
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For the past 3 years, I have been able to wear pretty much the same gown. During the past few years, I have made one or two other gowns, but by and large I was "living" in my 1549 Bronze Taffeta Gown. |
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I do have a gown that I could wear for this summer - it was the last 1569 gown I made which was in a deep midnight blue. However, I wish to have a new frock and I don't want to wear blue. Also, I have already promised to lend it to a friend of mine who would be unable to rejoin gentry without it. |
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Therefore, a new gown must be made! These pages will show the trials and tribulations I will inevitable have in making it!!! |
| Research and Design |
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The last 1569 gown I made was based on the portrait of Helena Snakenborg, Marchioness of Northampton (Unknown Girl) 1569. There is a very distinct style for this year and therefore I am rather restricted in what I can design. I guessed that everyone in the gentry (females at least) will all gravitate to Helena's portrait so I decided to be different and find something that was correct for the year but had that little something else! |
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There are a number of portraits of this style but though they are beautiful, I didn't like the colours. The main elements are a close fitting French Style bodice with a "V" waist and slighted inverted curved neckline. Puffed/padded shoulder detail and close fitting sleeves. A decorative underskirt and a partlet which supports a ruff. |
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The Fair Geraldine! |
Queen Elizabeth I - 1572. |
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Ireland. |
Image whereabouts/photographer details. |
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Children of William Brooke, 10th Lord Cobham - 1570s. |
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The first two portraits show gowns in black. Though both are exquisite - black really doesn't suit me that well! It tends to drain me of what little colour I do have (which is not a lot!) and makes me look ill! Therefore, neither of these were an option to copy. The third portrait shows gowns with a sort of "stripe" in the fabric. The gowns are simple allowing the fabric to come to the "fore" and decoration has been kept to the minimum. However, the design of the decoration is the same as the first 1569 gown I made and also of the gown worn by "Fair Geraldine"! I wanted something different! |
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Many thanks for the Images to:- |
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