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another free pattern
by Sally Pointer
The cut of this dress is based on practical experimentation
rather than on a known period cutting method- but it does
leave very little waste and can be pieced together out of
narrower cloth very easily.
Start with two lengths of fabric long enough to reach
shoulders to floor (plus, hem, train etc.). Make basic
shoulder seams to allow you to slip it over your head
and mark where your waist will come.
Attach a folded rectangle of fabric on either side at waist level. If the fabric is narrow you
may need more than one rectangle. Have a friend fit the bodice to the body, you will need
to cut either a front or back opening to get out at this stage- this dress laces shut but
could also be buttoned. (It would look very good with a row of buttons down the front and
many small decorative buttons up to the elbows on the sleeves)
Once the bodice is fitted, you should be able to see where the fabric of the skirt touches
the floor. Mark the hemline with chalk and spread the skirt out to tidy up the lines before
cutting away the surplus (shown in grey on one side of the diagram above).
You may find you have sufficient offcuts in the skirt to make plain or hanging sleeves (if
you go for hanging sleeves or tippets over contrasting plain sleeves you may have no
fabric waste whatsoever!) If not, cut sleeves in an appropriate style out of extra fabric.
I find its easier to fully line a dress like this, as to hand hem it is a huge job, it also deals
with the neck and lacing opening very neatly. However you finish it, tidy all the edges and
add lacing holes or buttons to finish. (NB: I used some of my spare fabric to add another
small gore in the back of the skirt- but it was overkill really!)
garments are available in my book
Making Medieval Underwear
reading on Medieval Clothing
any other websites (though please feel free to link to it) or for it to be included in any other article or resource whether
for profit or otherwise. If you wish to use it elsewhere, please ask first! Thanks:o)
