I have been wanting to do some medieval dress for a long time (and yes I say that about most of my projects;), I absolutely love these simple long flowing dresses.
So to start with, there are many styles reflecting different years, when you think medieval it can be anywhere from the early 1200 to the late years of 1600. Style didn't change nearly as much then, as they have in the past 200 years.
This is just some of what I found while looking into designing a medieval dress.
All pictures are from Pinterest (click to see my medieval board)
I decided on a more 1400s style of dress which is basically a tunic with gores sewn in to add fullness to the "skirt".
I don't know for sure the use of head wear in medieval times. From what I've gathered, so far, in the middle ages head wear is like everything else, was worn for more practical reasons such as to protect your hair from getting to dirty as you don't wash it on a daily bases. Fancier head wear was for court and the more wealthy, one way of showing off your wealth. Ladies, could go about bare headed if they chose without it being a social scandal. I have noticed that hair was general kept up, probably to keep it out of your way, ladies didn't cut they're hair back then. This however is all my own thoughts on the subject based off of the paintings I have seen and may not be accurate historical fact at all.
Belts seem to be worn by everyone, I think this is because they were handy way to carry things and tuck things into. From what I've seen the use of pockets hasn't been invented yet.
Fabrics, most often used were wool, linen, and silks; but I can get into all that some other time.
Now buttons, I have seen many other reproduction dresses and loved the cloth button details! Yes, buttons are accurate for a medieval dress.
I found this picture along with some textile info. from this site Here
I even found step by step picture on how to make the buttons. I'll be doing mine a little different...
This is of 1500s style are starting to become more fancy and dress like
And that is how I start the process of making my outfits, lot more goes into them then you probably thought, huh?
Medieval dress (for AG dolls) of the 1300s, Coming soon!!
