Isabella's Project Diary

http://picasaweb.google.com/Designs121/ElizabethanCostume

I hadn't seen the blackworked jacket before. There are a lot of interesting portraits and extant pieces from the latter half of the 16th c. I also really like the upside down peacock feather embroidered on red.

It was actually a really fun event. There was TONS of food. It wasn't just desserts. There was soup, bread, cheeses, noodles, basically, food. Lots of food. You did NOT go hungry at this event and that was a good thing.
I did finish the mid 16th c gown but didn't wear it because I wasn't sure how big the site was. Trying to rummage around with a hoop skirt isn't easy where there is much room. So I wore my hand sewn red t-tunic and a green skirt under it. It still looked festive.
Asruyn was there which I was so happy about. She only gets to come to events when she's on break from college so I was surprised to see her. She was glad to see me as well since I was one of the very people she knew.
orlacarey and Lady Tirzah did an amazing job with the food. Really y'all, it was good. orlacarey gave me a lovely little bag of really really good hard candy.
During court, St. Nicolas made his appearance for all the little kids. Everyone sang Rudolph the red nose reindeer (not period but hey, the kids know it!). The table behind me was being rude but oh well...not about to let a few drunks ruin it for the rest of us.
There was a lot of singing before court and I knew a lot of the carols. It was a random group of singers but they were really good. The acoustics of the building could have been better but it was fine.
So, all and all, I had a great time and it's definitely an event I'd like to go to next year.

I went to the National Portrait Gallery for lunch today (it's across the street from work) and saw this portrait of Elizabeth from about 1560. (BTW, don't even bother trying the salad dressing. It's gross!)

Some interesting notes about the fabric: The dress and coat are made of the same fabric. It looks like possibly a dark grey wool with black swirly velvet designs on it. Yes, I know swirly isn't a period term but how else can you describe what looks almost like New Orelans iron work embossed in velvet on wool? The lower sleeves are a different material. Possibly silk with black "fuzzy dots" that look like bits of loose string. I know those exist on the Spainish doublet but I can't remember what they are really called.
The fur is white (rabbit) and the ruff is blackworked. The hat has a "flap" that comes up and over the head. You can probably just barely tell in the picture but it's clear in the painting.
The glove is very very clearly leather and plain. The rings are gold "flowers" with onyx centers.
Feel free to ask any questions you have about the painting. I'm going back over there probably sometime in the next couple of weeks. Also, I might go to NGA so if you have any questions about paintings you know are housed there, ask and I'll find out! Yes, I'm bored, why do you ask?

The Elizabethan is half done. I think I might change the straps for the third time. I keep going between having a "wing" and the full "roll" on the shoulders. I like the wing because it elongates the shoulder and gives more of that triangle on top of a triangle look that was so popular in the middle of the 16th c. But, I also like rolls so...

Anyways, the skirt got pleated and I tried to attach it to the bodice but it looks like I might have to hand sew that part just due to sheer bulk. The skirt is 240" of a chenille/taffeta in a jacquard print that is probably meant for curtains. :-) I loved the look of it and had to have it for my own gown...especially when fabric.com put it on sale this summer.

I was going to go to Revel without a Cause and I...fell asleep. Honest. I woke up around 7, started to finish up sewing. Got as far as re-stringing and old chemise before I got up, went upstairs and stayed there. I started to feel tired around 10 and thought it would just wear off so I stuck around and by 11:30 I crashed until 5. Maybe I'm still just getting over being sick? My voice certainly hasn't come back completely which is driving me crazy.

Going to go home soon and finish the Elizabethan, hopefully. I'll cut out the Italian Chemise too.

I found out some interesting news on the job front...they need people were I'm a temp right now badly. Since it's a straight trip on Metro in the morning, I'd be very happy to stay. I love the commute. :-)

As for things I'd love to have but will probably never be able to afford unless I win the lottery tomorrow (c'mon Megamillions!); Want. Seriously, that is gorgeous and it has rubies & pearls. I so love that.

I don't have a fever anymore which is a plus. I managed to sew up my Elizabethan wool skirt, put most of the psuedo Ever After Just Breathe gown together, and pretty much finish my Tudor gown that I've been working on slowly forever. I just need to put some hooks and eyes in it and it should be okay to wear tomorrow.

I probably won't stay for more than a couple of hours at the faire tomorrow. I'm still not great and I know the food there will make matters MUCH worse. Mom, Gwen, and Nicolas should all be coming. Dad might come too but I don't know right now.

In other news:

( in case you are already bored )

now...time for bed and hopefully I'll see some of you tomorrow.

This is the domestic trailer

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809426394/video/3296319/

and here's the international trailer: It's slightly different

http://www.worstpreviews.com/trailer.php?id=587&item=0

I want to go in full Elizabethan...maybe recreate the blue gown that was only shown for a split second in the first trailer....