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| The Wardrobe | Sewing Room | Contact |
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| A rather delightful item of 16th century clothing was the partlet. It doesn't really matter whether they were the Tudor Black Velvet partlets, the embroidered silk partlets or the transparent partlets - these garments were always exquisite as well as functional. |
| Depending on which part of the 16th century a person is "in" will depend on what sort of partlet a person will wear. The earlier ones tended to be worn over their gown - sort of like a Tudor version of the cardigan. The Elizabethan ones were embroidered/decorated confections that were as high maintenance as any main item clothing. |
| Reason for making a Partlet |
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I have a need to make a new costume for Kentwell 1569 (revisited for the 3rd time in 2005). The gown is based on the allegorical portrait of "Death and the Lady" . Though I will be recreating this gown accurately I have decided that the partlet will have to change. In my view the portrait partlet is a bit boring and seems to be a bit of an afterthought! |
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I would prefer something that was rather spectacular but relatively easy for me to recreate. I also wanted something that would be "different" to partlets that are usually made. In addition, I wanted an opportunity to develop a skill in Drawn Threadwork and that whatever I created would be useful (doilies are NOT useful!). |
| Research and Design |
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There are a number of portraits that show a decorative partlet but not necessarily an embroidered one. It is not clear how these partlets are decorated - some could be reticella/punto in aria or cutwork lace or some could be drawn threadwork. Some could be lacis whilst others could simply be decorative cord placed in a lattice pattern. |
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Reticella Partlet |
A Lace Partlet - Medici Family member |
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Whereabouts unknown. |
Medici Exhibit |
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Lace Partlet 1576 |
Lace lining to a partlet |
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Unknown |
Unknown |
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Gold Lace Partlet |
Detail of Eleanor de Toledo. |
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Clouet |
Unknown |
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All of the above examples are exquisite, but it is difficul to tell what techniques have been used to create them. Though I have an ambition to create my own reticella (needlelace) partlet, I think for now I will try my hand at a drawn threadwork partlet. The last image (Detail of Eleanora de Toledo) is the only one I feel can be drawn threadwork - and as such I will base my partlet on this one. |
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Many thanks for the Images to:- |
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