The Italian gown is ruined

[isabelladangelo]

Last year I made a pretty, simple, pink and blue changeable silk early 16th c Venetian style gown. It is/was one of two gowns I own that are entirely handsewn. Some of you probably saw it when I received my AoA. I took it to Pennsic and, appearantly, it got wet. There are watermarks all over the skirt. I tried washing it and seeing if it would "even out" or something like that but no. So the gown is pretty much ruined.

I guess I could take it back apart and add a layer of chiffon for an overskirt to hide the watermarks. It would be period style but even if I do that, I can't wear the gown tomorrow. So now the problem:
[Poll #1044761]

For tomorrow: I might wear my strawberry outfit. It's not really period but it's pretty and it's cool. (It's a strawberry fabric generic back lacing bodice with a strawberry pink silk skirt, hand knitted black trim, and a crinkle cotton/linen look forest green underskirt. I wear a farthingale with it which keeps me cool. I have a proper partlet with some minor blackwork on it to go with the outfit. It almost looks more really late Venetian/1580s than Elizabethan if I don't wear the partlet...) I really don't want to go Turkish for opening day but I might have to....

Comments

[jillwheezul.livejournal.com]

Dye it black. Silk takes dye well and a dark color could even out the watermarks, or at least really minimize their appearance. If you have a bit of the fabric leftover, try to recreate the watermark and then try to dye that test swatch and see what you think.

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

hmm...I might just do that. I can always use another black gown...and I have red sleeves.....

[sestree.livejournal.com]

I know this sounds strange but I'd let it set for a while. An idea might come to you after you think on it for a bit.

I'm sorry to hear this though :(

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

Actually, I did get another idea. Most of the watermarks are about "tea length" height. The largest one is around 8" tall, so I might just add a big thick black velvet band around the skirt at that length and hide the evil watermarks. I know I can document bands around the skirt of a gown and I'd save the dress. I love the color of it and really don't want to hide the pretty pink/blue.