I can sympathize with your MIL. I have severe RA, and can't stand pressure and tension from clothes. I opted for a sideless surcoat with a full skirt worn over long-sleeved, full-skirted undergown with a center slit in the neck. This can be left as is, or pinned closed. The sideless surcoat stresses the long line, and is a very graceful garment. Both have no fastenings and pull on and off over the head. The style seems to work on all body types, whether thin or Reubenesque. Sideless surcoats were still around in the 14th c. Put a veil or coif on top and she is good to go.
Ideally, linen for the undergown and silk for an upperclass surcoat (or wool), but failing that, you can get very nice results using polycotton blends. They move well, are well balanced, very comfortable, and not at all heavy. And you don't have to wear a belt with them unless you want to. Arlys On Thu, 18 Aug 2005 19:49:20 +0100 Suzi Clarke <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > At 19:28 18/08/2005, you wrote: > >My future MIL wants a period dress for the wedding > >too. She is 5'-2" and wears a man's 2x shirt. Due to > >fibromyalgia she will not wear anything very fitted, a > >belt, or anything else that will create any pressure > >or tension, especially on her lower back. She also > >detests anything that might accentuate the bust. But I > >don't want to make her look like she is wearing a tent > >either. > > > >The period is 14th - 15th century. Her dress does not > >have to be historically accurate, just look the part. > > > >I was thinking a houppelande would do well with most > >of these requirements. I haven't really studied them > >as to fit so I don't know just how fitted they might > >be over the bust and waist. I wonder if making it less > >so will create a tent-like appearance. > > > >Or perhaps a basic chemise and tunic type dress with > >side lacing so that it can be gathered in a bit, but > >not snugly. > > > >This picture from a series of German prints also gave > >me some ideas. The woman on the right, but simplified. > >http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/PLATE23AX.HTML > > > >Any suggestions or ideas? > > > I am roughly the same size as your future MIL and wore a houppelande > > to a ball a few weeks ago. I made it from the pattern in Jean > Hunnisett's book - the one that is called medieval to 1500. It goes > on like a coat and is very comfortable. However, I don't think you > would need the 8 yard hem for her - this can easily be modified. > > You will also find patterns for the Italian Renaissance gowns in > your > picture in the same book. I have used those too and always found > them > easy and comfortable for my customers. > > If you want any more info, please ask. > > Suzi > > > _______________________________________________ > h-costume mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume > _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
