Women from 1690

I had to make a costume for a character , a women from the year 1690.I wasn't sure what to do but hopefully I ahve a lot of book about costume.I first look in Janet Arnold Pattern of fashion in which I saw the evolution of the dress.It give me a good idea but not enough .My book of Historical costumes of England by Nancy Bradfield give me the missing details .

                              
 I decided to make a hat to wear with the costume exactly what it looks like in the book.I did use the fabric of this top as a base.It's mostly s crescent fill with thread and leftover fabric.I had lace and a veil in the back.Many to not say all student laygh when they saw it but that's really what the picture looks like .

                                                                A view of the hat.

For the dress , I make something similar wear in 1690 but I use many elements from the differents pictures in the book.There is lace and bows at the shoulder and on the bottom of the sleeves.I wish it looks like luxurious.Everything is in cotton except for the front piece which is linen.The dress is put on like a coat and close with velcro.

To wear with the dress there is a skirt , shiny with design.At first it was a very short skirt with a band of yellow fabric in the bottom.I decided to open all the seams to see if I could use the fabric and surprise.It was made from two very wide rectangle .I was able to make a long skirt with four pannels with that.

                                                                        Front view

       A view from the back

I try to do my best to do soemthing similar to the picture but I wasn't sure how to pin the overskirt but it's not so bad.Under it , I put a small cushion fill with leftover fabric.It replace the bustle it suppose to have.In case you ask , the sewing dummy did not wear the skirt because it is too small for it.

I bring this costume last monday.I have work very hard to be able to bring it.Sunday I went to my bed at midnight and I work on it during all the day monday.There is many many hours of work on that.

Coming next: a dress for a russian queen

                     a dress like Madame De Pompadour