“Little Black Dress” Kirtle

I spent the greater part of the weekend messing about on the internet (and oh yeah, spent a goodly amount of time helping a local gal make a farthingale.  Hurrah!  I was more productive than I remembered!), and didn’t get nearly as far on the black kirtle as I had hoped.  But to get you all up to speed, this is where I am:

The skirt is pleated and attached to the bodice.  To do:  stitch down the bodice linen layer to the skirt & lining layers.


Bodice is fully constructed, and hand stitched along the edge.


I’m nearly done stitching the boning in place at the center back.  To do:  finish boning ‘casing’ and eyelets.


Then all that’s left are some easy-peasy pin-on sleeves, a quick stitch up the center back skirt, and it’s done!
I was given some white trim to do with as I pleased with the 3 kirtles I’m making, but there isn’t enough to do much for the black dress.  The green dress (alas, no pictures!) has three rows of white trim around the neckline, and diagonal trim on the sleeves.  I think that both the black dress and the red dress may have to go sans décor.

Speaking of the red dress, That one hasn’t even been started yet, so I’ll blog the entire process.