Tudor Jewelry and Shoes

I'm having a hard time trying to find some "affordable" jewelry to go with my outfit. I definitely want a beaded girdle but they run at $80 and up. I already spent $100 on the farthingale, and that was my big splurge....or so I thought. I think I'm going to make the whole gown first and see when I have some extra money hanging around. (hahahaha!) I still have yet to take my gold charm bracelet out of retirement (cheap American-made chain kept breaking) so I would really like to procrastinate it as much as possible. I'm also worried if I wait too long, things will be sold out because fair season begins in the fall. Can't win.

Here are some websites I'm thinking of. eBay does sell some but they cost just as much. The only cheap ones are really thin, and what's the point of doing Tudor if you're not going to do it right?

http://www.illusionjewels.com/store/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=99

http://www.sapphireandsage.com/girdle.html

I also want to buy some rings for both Christian and myself but there doesn't seem to be much of a market for it. Everything is soooo fantasy.

Lastly, I also need shoes. I had bought those cheap cotton Mary Janes from an online civil war sutler once and they came out way too small (like size 6 vs. 7 1/2) and way too narrow. I'm kind of limited in my options. I saw some really nice velvet ones online and they're only $10. But then I kinda don't want to because you get what you pay for.

However, I did see a nice Tudor/Elizabethan shoe that had two holes on either side, kind of like a thick T-strap shoe with a low heel. Kind of reminds me of an adult dance shoe my teacher used to wear.

http://www.nmia.com/~bohemond/Bootshop/shoe-page/maryrose.htm

http://tudorshoppe.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=ML-WVS-BK&Category_Code=WSH

I'm not a cobbler by any means and would hate to resort to making my own, but I really need something that would do well outside and wouldn't hurt even after wearing for a long period of time.

Christian's outfit

Christian, my husband, decided to go all-out at TRF last fall and BUY his costume pieces. (He can't ever make up his mind on patterns, so him looking at real physical pieces was probably the best bet, much to my dismay.)



He got a GORGEOUS slashed doublet from Pendragon. It cost a lot, but a) I would never be so crazy to make something like that, b) I have no idea where I could find a pattern for it, c) he can't stand still worth a &$%@ for fittings, and lastly, d) it laces together and if he doesn't gain too much weight, he'll be able to wear it forever.



http://www.pendragoncostumes.com/



Four good points are very hard to argue with. He got a LOT of compliments at TRF, both customers and people who worked there. "Is that a Pendragon??" they would say, surprised.



Yeah, I was totally ignored. :( My gown just didn't compete. It was kind of funny, because usually he doesn't dress up, but when he does, he goes all the way.



He used a swordswoman's shirt I got online (which was WAAAY too big, even for him!) I wasn't too thrilled with the slitted neckline, so I need to make him 2 shirts with mandarin collars to match his doublet. That way he won't be showing even a single hair!



He also got his boots and pants from a very reasonable shop. Now I can't find the business card or the receipt it's been so long. :( I'm pretty sure it is in the 300's block of TRF, looking at the map. They sold shirts, pants, boots, belts, pouches, cavalier hats, and all kinds of leather stuff. Even masks. There were so many stores there it's easy to get overshelmed by it all. :-P



I also bought him a feathered cavalier hat from Excalibur Leather for his birthday.



http://www.excaliburleather.com/

Tudor gown

I haven't written in a dog's age! I'll admit, it's because I've been so busy with work lately, being a teacher and all. Secondly, I'll admit I have become quite addicted to WoW and I still have yet to make 80....but that's besides the point...

Now that school is slowing down, summer's coming up, and having OD'd on WoW, I need a new project! I wanted something Tudor since TRF takes place during that period, but I'm waaaay too big on top to fit in a French gown. I also want to create a faux pas by not wearing corset, since TRF season is often hot and sunny. There's not a whole lot of shade there, especially where you go to watch shows, and I just know I'd be walking out with a sunburn the shape of the square neckline!

I've gone through the patterns I have and figured out what patterns I needed and went to Hancock and Jo-Ann fabrics. Neither of which had buckrum or boning for the farthingale, much to my bitter disappointment. (The both do regulary carry buckram and one does carry the boning I needed but of COURSE they were out.) I'm really tired of fabric stores not having what I need. I really wonder how much business they lose to the Internet.

The pattern I chose is Simplicity 3782, View B for the gown. I did a little bit of research online and it does correspond to a lot of real gowns from period paintings. The only thing is that it buttons in the front with jewelled buttons, which isn't quite historically accurate. But then if you take a look at people at TRF, it really doesn't matter! I'm still trying to figure out the exact name of this type of gown, though. For some reason I keep finding the name "French gown" but whenever I find a picture of what I want, there's no description or name. Weird.

The photos above are of Lady Jane Grey and Queen Mary I. I noticed that the drawing has tighter sleeves, unlike the other puffy long ones. I figure this was during a mini ice age, and I live in Texas, so why can't I take a little liberty so I don't die from heat exhaustion???

I got some *cotton* velvet off eBay, 7 yards for $75! (Plus shipping.) I decided cotton would be necessary since poly is hot and my cape got discolored at the dry cleaner. I can't afford this one to get discolored! I also found out cotton velvet is washable so that means it's cheaper to take care of, too. I'll just have to dry-clean the skirt. (Haven't bought the fabric for the center front part but I'm thinking of a gold/ivory brocade vestment material, but I haven't find a final decision. I think it would really make it look stunning though. I'm just trying not to go over-the-top. Kinda hard on a budget.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380214661129&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Renaissancefabrics is always a good eBay seller. He always has plenty to choose from.

I also decided what to do about the trim. I found a beautiful gold metallic trim from Hancock's that is not your traditional gimp. It has leafy-shaped trim going one way then the other, and I think it would be perfect to place little pearls in each unit. I'll have to get a photo of it later.

I had to resort to ordering patterns online from Period Patterns: #52 - Tudor Headddresses (there's one that is wearing my type of gown at the bottom) and #93 - Bags and Pouches. I figured they'd come in handy and could be used many times. I just hope they're worth it. They are VERY expensive patterns. I need a new bag/purse anyway.

I have been quite indecisive lately about what to do with the farthingale. No one really sells them and the ones on eBay are crappy. I really want the cone look and don't want to use my Victorian one. I finally decided on one from Realm Collections and it cost me about $100 with shipping. I figured between all the places I went to (in person and online) it would probably cost that in all the supplies I'd have to get. Sadly, it seems much more economical to buy bulk and make a bunch of farthingales and sell them than it is to make one. Since I'm not a big fan of using hardware tools, and I don't have the big bucks to make a bunch to sell, I figured this was the best option. The way I look at it is, I save loads by making all the other stuff myself. It won't kill me to give a little bit of business to someone else. Plus, it's a basic foundation garment, and if it's any good, I will be able to use it many, many times.

http://www.realmcollections.com/bone-hoop-skirt.html

The fact that it's machine washable and travel-friendly is what did me in. I think it also looks period accurate too, unlike a lot of others online.

However, I am making the chemise myself. I am using Simplicity 2621. I had a load of muslin already, so I didn't have to buy any. :-D

Lastly, I'm going to have to look for a bit of jewelry. Since I have a very short upper chest, I'm thinking maybe a choker and a beaded girdle. I just hope the beads don't cost too much or I can find one for a reasonable price. I also have to research earrings and rings.