I began daydreaming about this project back in January, and knew that I wanted to do a 'French Gown' in they style of the later 1500s, in either light blue or blue-green (which was called "watchet" by Elizabethans). The full ensemble is going to consist of the gown as well as a shift, pair of bodies (corset), bum roll, fathingale, petticoat, forepart, partlet, removable sleeves and a miniature hat. This will be my second large scale, independent historical design and production project- I completed an ensemble in the Florentine style of the 1490's back in September, 2014.
Photo of my design rendering
Planning stage is done, including purchasing fabric, and I began drafting a corset pattern yesterday. I've decided to create a version of the famous "Effigy Stays," made of corset coutil and silk taffeta, with additional back lacing so that the stays will fit despite potential future weight change. Here is my schematic sketch, which may or not prove to be incredibly wrong (it's my first time drafting from scratch!)
And a sketch in my notebook of how I'd like the corset to look. I am going to make my shift with wide sleeves so that the gown can be worn without over-sleeves on the hottest summer days. I'd still like a square, low neckline so that the gown can be worn with a partlet (for everyday wear) and without (for fancy occasions, evening, etc.)
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