FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Hand-sewn shift; my second sewing adventure ever
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Photographer: My dear husband
Outline the story …
Stories of strong women, especially in medieval times, always fascinate me. That is how a friend lend me her book from Jody Hedlund, "A daring sacrifice". Take the essence of the Robin Hood story, put a young (teenage) female in the lead, add a bit of romance, put it in medieval (1390's) Britain, a good writer, and there was my inspiration to start my very own medieval outfit.
This would however never have happened if not a few other things happened around the same time I read that book (in 1 day). 2 years ago, I sew my first skirt with my mother's sewing machine and her amazing help every step along the way. Though I was happy with the result, something about the sewing process/machine threw me off and I decided that sewing was not for me.
Then, about 2 years, half a year of lockdown and boredom later I stumbled upon Bernadette Banner's Youtube channel. She made me realize that hand sewing is/was a real thing! Morgan Donner's video's made me realized that there was good information on recreating actual medieval garments! I started to research if I could do it, with my basically non-existent (hand) sewing skills. Then I found Elin Abrahamsson's channel "Sewingthroughthepast". She made me believe in myself enough to decide I should, and could do it. So, I decided to start with an easy, mostly straight-piece undergarment/shift, and do it as historically accurate as I could.
Outline the construction…
Lockdown happened. Shops were closed, so I couldn't try, feel, or see fabrics nor threads, I've never done anything like this before, and could not find 100% lightweight linen (<160gr/m2) and thin 100% linen thread online, in my country. Finally, Etsy it was. 2 meters of 150 gr/m2 white linen and Gütermann linen thread (50). I had beeswax.
Around this time, Cathy Hay's Youtube video promoting this competition was in my recommended. I watched, got waaay to excited and decided I would participate. 7 weeks to go, not even started!
For the pattern, Pinterest & Morgan Donner were great! A donated old cotton bedsheet (thanks mom!), served as a mock-up, with which I tried 2 different sleeves. A little change in the preferred sleeve pattern (too narrow around the elbow), overall a bit longer, and I had the confidence to cut up my beautiful piece of linen.
How to actually sew it? What stitches where? In what order? No clue! The shift sew-along video from Burnley and Trowbridge Co.'s helped me massively with that. Different era, same principles. I started sewing, but the thread was way too bulky... After evenings of searching I found 1 online shop who sold finer (80/2 NEL half bleached) 100% linen thread. Technical issues, Christmas holidays, complete lockdown, overloaded post delivery... Only 3 weeks left!! I Almost panic-started with non-historically-accurate polyester thread. But no!
Hours and hours of careful pinning, basting, (back)stitching and hemming, all 100% by hand, did the job. I made the thing!!
This is seriously impressive.
Beautifully made!
So neat, with such tiny stitches, and it fits beautifully!
flawless. gorgeous work!
Very nicely done. The square neckline looks great and I admire that gusset detail!
What a lovely chemise! And so wearable even in a non-costume setting.
Inspiring story of perseverance with a wonderful garment in the end! I agree, the right fabric and thread make all the difference.
This is so beautiful and inspiring. You did an amazing job, and all by hand!!! I hope you keep sewing so we can see the rest of what you’ll make. Your underarm sleeve gusset is freaking awesome. And thank you for sharing so many resources also! I am going to check them out!
Nicely done! I love the gores, it makes a wonderfully flattering shape on you.
Such a lovely work! ” She made me realize that hand sewing is/was a real thing!” – that made me smile, I am wiht you on that.
Very lovely shift, great job!
Congrats! This is beautiful. And the whole process was so suspenseful, too. XD I’m so glad everything worked out!
Well done! A lovely shift, born of excellent problem-solving.
Wow, such a nice design. I can’t believe this is your second sewing adventure! I hope to see more to come! Thank you!
This is beautiful!
Well done! I did my gores wrong more than once, yours came out so well. Hope you are working on another project now!
Oh my gosh! Your gores are absolutely gorgeous!