I was thinking about Viking apron dress design today, and I realized that there is one design possibility I have not explored.
I have made fitted dresses with gores in the lower portion to give them wider skirts, and I've made dresses from flat sheets that wrap around the body, and are secured by placing the brooch pins through multiple sets of loops.
What I have not done is to make an apron dress with a flared skirt that is not sewn into a closed tube--a flared skirt apron dress with the final seam open, so that you can just put it on by wrapping it around yourself and inserting the brooch pins, instead of having to wriggle into it.
I only know of one costumer/reenactor who has attempted to make such a dress. Her version can be seen here. (If you are prompted for a login, just hit the button that reads "login in as a guest" and you will be forwarded on to the picture.)
I think she had the right idea but that the proportions of her design need a little bit of tweaking. So I'm going to add a gored-wrap apron dress to my project list--to be undertaken after the Byzantine outfit is done.
The fitted-wrap style was the first apron-dress style I tried, and I used this sites' pattern.
ReplyDeleteThe only advice I can give, is that I found that depending on how close-fitting the dress is, any changes in body shape are more obvious with a fitted wrap than with a closed dress. So it might be something to keep in mind.
I've seen that site, but I didn't scroll down to the "fitted wrap" section. It's worth a try! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAs for the long term effect of "changes in body shape" I aware of that fact, but prepared to take my chances!
As for the long term effect of "changes in body shape" I aware of that fact, but prepared to take my chances!
ReplyDeleteOh, not long term! I was having trouble getting mine to sit 'nicely' depending on which bra I was wearing at the time! That sort of 'any changes'- the really small but confusing ones! :)
I always wear my apron dresses without a bra or other support garment, so that, at least, wouldn't be an issue for me.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I've gained *just* enough weight over the past year that most of my (modern) pants don't fit properly any more, and some of my garb is tight around the hips. :-(
I've done one - I just split my fabric into (roughly) thirds and put a small gore in the gaps. It added enough flare that the front hangs straight down, rather than having a permanent gap (which it would have if it was a straight wrap trying to fit over my hips). Mine is a reasonably soft wool, which grips itself quite nicely, so only comes open when I sit down rather than flapping around whenever I move.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had any problems with fit, but it's not very tight anyway. I did find I had to twist the front loops to make it do up nicely, but you've probably dealt with that on your open dresses before now anyway.
All in all, I really like mine, but I definitely don't see many around.
I did find I had to twist the front loops to make it do up nicely, but you've probably dealt with that on your open dresses before now anyway.
ReplyDeleteActually, I haven't. If I did, I'd probably tinker with the placement of the loops. I may be misunderstanding what you're describing, though.
Your idea is simpler than Svana's, so I may try it first. But I do want something that's pretty snug. Part of the charm of the fitted-wrap idea is that the wrap part *should* allow one to get into the garment even if it is snug. A sewn-closed garment, on the other hand, can't be too tight or it's impossible to put it on.
Thanks for your suggestion! Unfortunately, since I just had to buy fabric for my mantion (again!) it probably will be a while before I buy fabric for this project. :-(