my first garb - oh the shame...
Actually no, it wasn't as bad as some people have said theirs was. It's just that I chose to keep the photos. And the clothes! Currently this page shows the attempt at a 'finer cote' and surcote loosely based on early 14th century English clothes. Since they were really experiments, I used cotton for both the shift (which I'm not showing) and the cote, while the surcote was made from very thick felted wool and linen (for the lining) from my local Ikea. They offer surprisingly cheap 100% linen which is a little coarse but very cheap. Anyway, it was a useful experiment: my gores were set too low, the body was too narrow (not sure if that isn't just mine was too wide!), the sleeves worked REALLY nicely - note the sweet little buttons - and I discovered that handsewing gives a much nicer finish when it's possible.
Well, I wasn't very happy with this once I'd started to do some research, so I decided to make some modifications. The surcote was okay apart from the side lacing (!) and it is essentially something to keep me warm in cold Scottish nights. The cote, however, wasn't loose enough to be a 'fine cote' and so I decided to make it into a , a kind of fitted gown that you - ahem - shimmy into, so that everything is supported. Mostly. The alterations were possible on my own, although some friends were here in case of need. The 'sorquenie' would perhaps have been worn beneath the cotehardie with lots of buttons down the front, although this is by no means without controversy. The screaming red surcote is based on the French images below - the young lady in question is depositing the child she had because of the unwanted attention of her uncle... My technique was not too technical, being based mostly in pinning and sewing on myself, rather than drawing anything too clever.
These photos were taken at Traquair Medieval Fayre, a two-day festival at a lovely old house in the Scottish Borders. You can tell I enjoy having my photo taken! For instructions on how to make the veil and wimple, please go to the page linked to this one by hovering over the 'My first project' bar and then click on the page next to it. On reflection, I think the surcote is too thick - although it'll be fine for castles in November - and too long - I need help to hem it evenly I think. Still, as Einstein said "if we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research!". I should add that the bulge under my surcote is my belt-purse...
