Tish Thompson

Tish looks really fabulous in this understated, but quite beautiful Elizabethan gown. I'm really impressed by the wonderful tailoring in this outfit, but the thing that impressed me most of all is that she made this gown and three other complete costumes for her friends for a recent trip to a renaissance faire! Here's a picture of the entire group, and she is also putting together a new website where you can find more pictures and info about all of her costumes in the gallery (more will be up in the near future). But for now, you can read more about Tish's blue gown below this picture, or you can email her at kithary(at)pacbell.net.

This gown is made of navy wool that I picked up for just over $5/yd. Initially the wool was a rather loose herringbone weave, but after two rounds of hot water and drying, it became a nice piece of supple felted wool. The skirt is lined with a cheap cotton osnaburg. The bodice is interlined with 10 oz. canvas, and lined with a remnant cotton twill. The skirt is knife pleated in a 4:1 ratio, and springs out quite a bit from the waist. The tan trim on the overskirt and bodice is from a brushed wool 2:1 twill remnant. The underskirt and forepart were a bit of an afterthought, but the forepart is an undecorated piece of Renaissance scroll fabric, and the rest of the skirt is made of whatever linen I found around at the time. Undergarments include a square-necked linen shift, a strapless tudor corset with boned tabs, and a linen caul. I originally intended to have at least a shoulder treatment, but time ran out so I wore the dress as-is. It was too hot to even contemplate sleeves.