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Sewing renaissance dresses for children...  

post #1 of 16
5/29/03 at 6:21pm
Thread Starter 
How difficult is this going to be?

I'd like to sew the girls' dresses for the wedding, but also don't want to get into a huge project that is going to be a big source of frustration.

I have medium sewing skills...three years of classroom training in highschool.

Should I just wait and buy them Christmas dresses (or old Halloween costumes)...or can this be done?

Can anyone tell me if Simplicity, McCalls, Butterick, or New Look is the best way to go?

The Baby?


Maybe this?



Or this?


?
post #2 of 16
5/29/03 at 6:40pm
If you don't care about historical accuracy (like zippers ect) then I think it's easier as you won't have to modify the commercial patterns. The mass produced patterns aren't historically accurate, but they are usually cute.

BTW, are you talking Elizabethan?? Or a different period? Renaissance covers a wide range of styles and places. Italian renaissance has some very lovely dresses.
post #3 of 16
5/30/03 at 1:00pm
With the dress you are wearing I like the style of white one in the second link.
post #4 of 16
6/4/03 at 8:53pm
Thread Starter 
Oh boy - I have NO idea what period!!

We're not very "Ren-friendly" folk. Okay, I don't mean THAT - I just mean, we're Ren Virgins.

My dress is going to be white (which is NOT historically accurate, I'm certain) and it has bell sleeves and laces up at the bodice.
It's called a "gothic wedding dress" by the site.

I was trying to find dresses for the girls to coordinate in some way, and I thought the Renaissance-y feel was the way to go.
post #5 of 16
6/4/03 at 11:07pm

They can be narrow

in the third choice only the the pink one look suitable. In the 4th one it is atmospheric although not very historic. Maybe it would be hard to sew? Several of those look ok in the first two. I saw once some sort of pattern review site? Mabe they would have reviews of those patterns.

For a beginner sewer, the first ren/medieval dress they make is usually any basic princess seamed long dress...then adding sleeve and neck details to make it more rennaisance-like. A VERY easy headpiece.. Make a tube of fabric. stuff lightly. Make into an O and sew it. add a bit of veiling, or narrow trim spiraling around the outside, or even some beading to hang down at the forehead. You can make these in minutes. Head bagels! They can be narrow or really really fat.
post #6 of 16
6/5/03 at 11:30am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the feedback!

I like the pink dress, too - and that pattern comes in all three of the girls' sizes, so there would be a certain amount of continuity.

I think that's the one I'll use.

Any tips on what I should make it out of? I originally thought velvet/velour, but I'm not sure I want to deal with a nap. (Especially if I have to sew THREE dresses! Yikes)
post #7 of 16
6/8/03 at 3:54am
ok, so the last one you posted.....my sister in law is having my neice (her sister's daughter) wear a dress made from that pattern

Gramma (great gramma to the little girl) has been sewing for years, and has found that pattern to be a PITA to sew, but finished it looks VERY sweet!!!! The problem is that they want you to have a lot of fabric in a small amount of space. My neice is 3 and wears a 4t clothing size and there has to be something like 4 yards of fabric around her waist

but like I said, the dress is stunning when finshed
post #8 of 16
6/8/03 at 7:51pm
Thread Starter 
Wow! That would be rather pricey!!!

I think we're going to do the "pink" dress.

What fabric do you think I should use? I want white or VERY light ice blue (maybe with silver trim?)
post #9 of 16
6/8/03 at 7:53pm
what color are you wearing?

I'd say ice blue, that would be lovely!!! You are getting married this winter right? Ice blue is perfect and the silver trim will look great!!!
post #10 of 16
6/8/03 at 8:03pm
I think royal blue, would be a nice contrast with your white dress...with silver or white accents...the whole winter thing. How about upholstry fabrics...they "stand" well in those style dresses.
post #11 of 16
6/9/03 at 11:01am
Thread Starter 
Oh, I hadn't even considered that. Maybe brocade? Hmmm...I'll have to go check some out.

I'm having trouble envisioning the fabrics this time. Usually I have no trouble picturing a different fabric (and typically a better choice than the one on the pattern sleeve) but this time I'm stumped. I know most of the ren dresses I've seen are made of velvet...ugh...naps! I also don't know what kind of trim would be best - for that suspender-y looking part.
post #12 of 16
6/9/03 at 11:31am
Thread Starter 
Pewter Shantung

Wouldn't this be LOVELY?? I realize not at all historically accurate, but wow! AND $3.95 a yard!!!
post #13 of 16
6/9/03 at 12:32pm
oh, that is lovely
post #14 of 16
6/9/03 at 1:22pm
Thread Starter 
OOOH!!! I just had a thought - what about that pewter shantung with an ice blue velvet ribbon trim? That would be GORGEOUS!!!

I saw an episode of Martha Stewart where she had on a guest making embossed velvet ribbons (just by wetting and ironing). I wonder if I could do that and use those on the dresses for the trim. Hmmm - the gears are turning.

Any other ideas out there?
post #15 of 16
6/9/03 at 1:50pm
Thread Starter 
OOOOOOH - look!!!
Angel Ribbon

Not sure if it's worth $6 a yard, though?? That's a LOT.

Gorgeous, but OUCH - $30 a yard!
post #16 of 16
6/13/03 at 11:44am
Thread Starter 
Back to square one.

Well, I know which dress I'm making, so I guess it's square two!

http://www.boomspeed.com/momschooling/Gothic.jpg

This is the bridesmaid dress. My whole "ice blue and silver" theme is out because it only comes in violet.

What should I make the girls' dresses out of?
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