Jen Atkinson-Spencer

I may be a bit of an odd-ball, but I always get so excited when I see people making great peasant outfits! I really love Jen's version of the classic working-woman's dress. Even though the gown itself is nice and simple, the beautiful color combination really makes it stand out. And how could anybody resist this adorable picture of Jen striking her best saucy peasant pose?! You can also see a full-length view here and a back view of the gown with a caul. Below the picture you will find a wonderful little blurb about the construction of the outfit (thank goodness I'm not the only person sewing in the parking lot!) And finally, you can contact Jen at sspencer115 (at) cogeco (dot) ca.

This gown started as a green wool interpretation of Lucas de Heere's common London women drawing, but I became more and more unsatisfied with it as I saw more examples of sixteenth century workin' gals. Eventually I got pouty and abandoned it. Then came fateful half-price day at Fabricland! Bright red noil isn't period, but I have a raw silk addiction. The green wool got recycled as piping on the neckline and armholes. The bodice is lined in linen, with hand-bound eyelets and binding, and a couple strips of plastic boning CF. That's a separate smock and partlet (which needs tweaking) in cotton batiste, and a linen underskirt overdyed about four colours. I found the shoes and hat at Goodwill the night before I wore this costume to the Ontario Renaissance Festival. I attached the bodice to the skirt in the car on the way there... and hemmed everything in the parking lot. And while I'm making confessions -that would be a pillowcase pinned on as an apron.