I just made a French hood and to my eyes, the dark spot (#3) is where the back veil, (in this case a shaped bag), in attaching to the hood, hangs free. I have seen people sew the veil all around and have also seen the back left loose, as appears to be the case here. I see what appear to be gathers at the back nape of the bag, which makes sense if it is the type not sewn all the way around.
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of E House Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 3:42 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [h-cost] 1520s french headwear--fresh eyes needed I'm working on a replica of the headress worn by Princess Charlotte in this Clouet painting (1522): http://www.formfunction.org/temp/1522clouet-charlotte-de-fra.jpg After much experimentation, I've come up with a pattern I'm reasonably happy with, but I just cannot make up my mind on a few points. If you'll look at this closeup: http://www.formfunction.org/temp/1522clouet-charlotte-detail.jpg you should be able to see each of them. Issue 1: Those slashes The closeup shows each slash with a sort of outline around it, as though each slash were bound with strips of the same fabric the hat's made of, sort of like a bound buttonhole. It seems to me faintly unlikely that they'd go to this much trouble, and I certainly don't want to, but that's the only way I can think of to get that same exact look. The only other options that come to mind are either a) just slash , and let it fray if it will--not too terrible an option, since the luscious heavy silk sateen I have for this is not at all prone to raveling drooldroolbragbrag--or, b) fold back a teeny hem for each slash, and stitch them into place. Ideas? Suggestions? Issue 2: What should the back look like? If you look at the bottom diagonal slash of the bag-like portion, on the other side of the circumference seam it looks a bit like there's a slash on the back that mirrors it. Does anyone else see it? I'm thinking I may just mirror those diagonal slashes around the edge of the back, and leave the center of the back plain, or perhaps decorate the center with pearls. (Yes, I have a ton of glass pearls for the project. This will be one heavy bit of headwear!) I'd love any clever suggestions, though, as I haven't found any great backview shots of this style of headress yet. Issue 3: that blackish semi-circle at the nape of the neck This looks almost like a painter's mistake, or as though the paint has started to flake off to reveal a previous version, or some wierd aborted restoration attempt, or I don't know what; whatever it is, my instinct is that it's not really a part of the headwear. If it were a part of the headwear, the only things I can think of would be a) a poor rendering of the bag's interior, seen in shadow (but I give Clouet way more credit than that!) or b) a netting of some sort. Any ideas as to what on earth it could be? Anyone know more about the history of this painting than I do (ie, more than nothing)? -E House _______________________________________________ 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
