Elizabethan Gown
| My latest creation, an Elizabethan
gown of the 1580's. The gown is made of antique cotton brocade, piped with metallic gold. The bodice is a "French" cut, with the center back cut on the fold and all the shaping at the center front. It has the high arched neck that Queen Elizabeth favored; however, I think that was a style more flattering to her slender body type than to those of use who are more generously endowed. I may cut this neck down to show a bit more of my bosom. |
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The forepart is embellished with couched gold cording, gold filligree nailheads, and round and oblong pearls. |
| The girdle and the matching carcanet (necklace) are made from gold colored metal drawer pull backs that I found at Orchard Supply Hardware. The red stones in the centers are flat glass marbles, used in floral arranging. The are linked with strands of pearls strung on wire. |  |
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The caul is made of silk organza shot with metallic gold, couched with a grid of gold cord and embroidered with clusters of pearls and blue and white cut crystal stones. |
| The partlet and sleeves are made of very fine white
linen, embroidered with tiny chainstitches in a vine and
flower motif. No, I didn't do the embroidery, I bought
the fabric already embroidered. I recently noticed that one of Viola's smocks in Shakespeare In Love is made of this same fabric. the collar ruff is vintage lace, purchased at a garage sale. |
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