The Tudor Revolution

I recently put together some videos to demonstrate my favorite ways to attach my skirts to my bodices on 16th century gowns. Its a version of doing cartridge pleating where you pleat the fabric into the waist and sew. The major benefits of this is that you will always have even pleats without spending time measuring, marking on fabric, and basting. Compared to a mathematical, thread gathered cartridge pleat, these will be softer and more draped. I hope you enjoy the videos! Over the next few weeks I will also be revamping my poor sleepy blog. For the most up to date project progress feel free to follow me on Instagram. @maridith.smith Part 1: Setting up your garments for pleating Part 2: Sewing the pleats  

Hey there readers,  For a few years I've been in love with the idea of what would Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast look like if translated through the eyes of 16th century Italy. My first post in this series is actually going to be a white apron for this outfit, and give you instructions on how to make your own. Enjoy!  Use of Aprons in 16th century Italy The basic apron style of a rectangle gathered with a waistband has not changed for hundreds of years, and were popular with Italian women during the 16th century. Italians seem to have viewed this as much more utilitarian than other places in Europe where women were sitting in formal portraits with them. Italian women of the upper class only seem to wear them in private. These aprons have lovely embroidery or expensive lace worked into them. My goal in making mine was to continue to expand on my 16th century woman’s toilet, where women wore them to help keep clothing clean while dressing hair