I must apologise, but this diary is written in retrospect, up to the current point, so I'd better outline the events so far:

I initally tried using the Tudor pattern in Jean Hunnisett's Period Costumes for Stage and Screen, but was very unhappy with the result. In the end, since my corset fit so well, I decided to trace a pattern off that, and the results have been brilliant! The bodice laces up the back and has a slightly upwards curved neckline.

The gown is only a mock up made of cheap cotton - just to test the pattern and my sewing skills! It's still unfinished, but has been a useful experience as I have learned several things that I will do differently when I make the 'proper' one. The cotton is a pinkish red (think boysenberry) type of colour, although it appears much readder in the picture to the right. I wanted to choose something that would be wearable, as it seems like such a waste to put so much effort into making something and then not be able to wear it.

At present this gown has only one sleeve tacked on, and the bodice is unfinished. I have made several discoveries concering construction since putting this together and suspect that I may end up taking it apart and trying again. The skirt is not as full as it should be, and the bodice really needs another layer of interlying, so I think so serious alterations are in order. All the pics show the gown on my makeshift dress dummy - a couple of pillow wearing my corset, held up by a small dress stand. Necessity is very much the mother of invention.

Although this project has been on hold for a while, I'm hoping that I will be able to work on it again in the near future!

You can also check out the work done on the french hood here.

The trial gown, here tacked together on my makeshift dress dummy