If this video has been helpful to you, you might also enjoy my 16th century play list. This has similar dress diaries, deep dives into eyelets or pad stitching, and other helpful videos:
• 16th Century How To
This video has been a really emotional one for me to go back and edit. I started this project 2 years ago when I was offered to join the SCA Order of the Laurel based on my research into fashion history, specifically the 16th century in Europe. Its interesting to look back now and see how much my skills are still growing since I started this project. My elevation took place in that strange pandemic reopening time, and ended up being sent out virtually while I was in person with the Crown for the ceremony.
The emotions got even more layered with this project when I went to film reveal footage of it. It was packed into the car so I could change at the event I was going to and film/ photograph the reveal footage for you all, and fell to break my leg less than 5 minutes after it was packed.
Fast forward to fall of 2023, I've lost most of the weight I put on with this injury and I'm ready to take some photos in the dress and finally show you all my dream dress made in silk jacquard. To one up my past self, the location and situations for filming and shooting my missing reveal footage for you all was way more challenging that the original plan I had that never came through. If you are curious about why I am wearing 6th century shoes, it was a safety thing. I brought my heels with me, but the footing at the location we went to did not make me feel safe to wear them. Last thing i needed was to fall an break my other leg in the mountains.
A few thank-you's on this project:
Hannah and Rob for getting me to start the dress, and helping me document its completion.
Tatiana for helping me to understand fitting these garments better and making me the beautiful Zimmara worn over it in a few of the reveal shots.
Bri , Iago, Eric, and Helena for being sounding boards on the process of getting the thing done.
Eza, Jennifer, Jerusha, Maria, and Asta for working on accessories that went with this dress.
Mom and my brothers for driving so far to see the crazy thing in person.
And all of you for your support and thoughtful questions over the years.
If you would like more details on the SCA, or Society for Creative Anachronism, please check out www.sca.org
For Amazon Affiliate links below are for further reading if you are interested in researching these clothes further:
Moda A Fireneze 1540-1580 by Bruna Niccoli and Roberta Orsi Landini (Author) amzn.to/3Ff1ArX
The Medici: Portraits and Politics, 1512-1570 by the Met
amzn.to/3LUPVSK
The Tudor Tailor: Reconstructing Sixteenth-Century Dress by Ninya Mikhaila and Jane Malcolm-Davies amzn.to/3RQoixV
The Modern Maker Vol. 2: Pattern Manual 1580-1640: Men's and women's drafts from the late 16th through mid 17th centuries by Mathew Gnagy
amzn.to/46KGvBu
Social Media and other Places to Find me:
Instagram: @maridith.smith
Blog: www.tudorrevolution.blogspot.com
Pinterest: / tudorrevolution
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/maridithsmith