...and so it begins - 11th Century Bliaunt

I'm making an 11th century Bliaunt.  This is a gown that is tight fitting on the top and flowing on the bottom.  It has long sleeves that starts tight at the top and bells out towards the bottom.  It has a shallow scoop neck with a keyhole at the middle.  It can also have a square neckline, but I'm going with the scoop.

I cut two pieces for the body, the front piece has the neckline cut out.  I cut two sleeves that will bell to about 18" at the end.  I also cut two gussets that will give the fullness starting at the waist to the end.  Traditionally, this style is made with a gusset in the front and back also, but I'm not that fond of sewing in gussets.  I need more practice before I'm completely comfortable with this.

I have enough fabric left over to make a belt.  I'm also making a stomacher of a blue brocade to go with it.  An 11th century stomacher is a very wide belt that laces up the back.  You can either wear a Bliaunt with a stomacher or a belt wrapped high under the bust, crossed in the back and tied in the front.  You can also wear both, which is my plan.

The trim will go around the neckline and the sleeves, and if I have enough around the hem.  Underneath this I will wear a chemise of blue/gray with tight sleeves all the way down.  I plan to eventually do some embroidery around the cuffs and neckline of the chemise.  We'll see about that.  A veil of the same fabric will round out the 11th century outfit.

The fabric is a cotton/linen blend and the trim is a tapestry type trim.

 

Oh, by the way, I need to complete at least two Bliaunts and one, preferably two chemises and veils for the second weekend in July for GNEW (an SCA event which I will be vending and attending as a new SCA member).