IRCC6: Plans and Fabrics

Sorry for not posting last week! My laptop was out for repairs so I wasn't able to post anything except for the video I'd finished before hand. But it is back and happy and we can get back to the regular(ish) blogging schedule.

The Italian Renaissance Costuming Challenge 6 is set to start this week and I'm so excited. I've been gathering supplies (since my costuming fabric stash is quite sad at the moment) and solidifying my costuming plans so I'll be all ready to go as soon I'm allowed to start sewing.

Here are my fabrics! The bottom two are yummy linen yardages. Florida summers are going to require linen so I splurged on some 100% linen for the gown (blue) and petticoat (burgandy). The top fabric is a cotton blend that I will probably regret in August when it's time to take final photos but the color and diamond pattern were so perfect (and cheap!) that I couldn't resist. It's for the overdress.

I was very inspired by the color combo on this lovely lady! So yummy! I did swap which color was for which garment but at least the color combo is good.

I had a hard time getting all of the fabrics to show up as the correct color all in one photo. The two reddish ones are quite the same shade of red purply wine like in this photo.

The blue is a yummy blue gray that is even more fabulous in person. This photo shows it best. I'm so excited to get to sew with it. Both linens are 5.3 oz IL019 from Fabrics-store.com. They are a bit more slubby that I would like but they are wonderfully soft and I'm going to love wearing them.

 This is the style of overdress I'm planning on making-a giornea. This one has some pretty gold trim around the edges and I may try that with mine if I have time! The diamond pattern will be great for designing my own trim. I have some faux and real pearls in my stash that I may end up using to bling it up but I'm not sure yet.

I still need to purchase some linen for my undergarments but I'll have quite a bit to get started with for right now. So excited!!

Italian Renaissance Costuming Challenge 6

I've been an avid follower of the Italian Renaissance Costuming Challenge (IRCC) for several years and have decided that this is finally the year to enter it! I'm strongly considering making my Adrian persona Italian because Italian garb is so pretty (and because picking a late period English name would be rather boring). So I do need some more Italian outfits.

I really love the high waisted look of 1490s styles like those who inspired the fashions on Ever After and The Borgias. And I've got a bit of cold feet at cutting into my silk for my Borgia dress in an untested pattern. I'm hoping that this project will help me get some kinks out of the dress pattern before cutting into my pricy silk.

My first layer will be a camica or Italian chemise. I've already made one for my Borgia dress but one can never have too many pairs of underthings for costuming. The second layer will consist of a gamurra or gown which will be front laced with a pleated skirt.

The third layer will be a giornea which is a pretty draped over dress that is open at the sides like this lady is wearing. I'm hoping this will be a nice easy layer to throw on to make my outfit look pretty pretty for events such as court during Adria but that can be left off for most of the day when it's just too hot for that.

Lastly will be accessories. I'm planning on making some jewelry and another pocket ( because pockets rock). Italians also have such pretty jewelry! If I have extra time at the end and I'm feeling ambitions, I may throw in a few extra accessories but who knows.

Once the challenge begins on April 14th, I'll be sending in monthly updates which I'll also share here. Now off to do some fabric shopping!