anotheranon | finished object

F.O.: Leine for D.

New thing: first time using Reconstructing History patterns

Photos:

full length

Notes:

I love a pattern with footnotes :) This was my first time using one of

kass_rants' patterns and part of my choice was based on the extensive research she includes to make her patterns among the most historically accurate on the market. This, ladies and gentlemen, are what Irish/Scottish men REALLY wore in the 16th century, movies/folklore notwithstanding.

The directions were straightforward and easy to understand. I did have to detour from her cutting guide, because I was making the leine longer and out of a slightly narrower width of fabric (linen shrunk to 57" wide instead of 60"); instead of laying everything out and cutting, I had to fold lengthwise to cut the body pieces and then fold the remainder width-wise to get the side gores and sleeves.

I dithered about the width, thinking it too narrow for D. until I realized it was an illusion created by the fact that this is LONG - it's meant to be worn bloused with a belt to calf length so it's floor length "unbunched". And yes, it looks almost more Japanese than anything Western European, but the triangular side gores and rectangular body pieces would be familiar to anyone who has made historic shifts/chemises.

Construction took about a day; finishing the inside took a couple of weeks of hand work, but it was good practice. If I ever make it again I'll likely French seam everything to save some time!

I'd also cut the sleeves wider - on D. the drape reaches about hip length and I'd expected calf-or knee-length, so I rather suspect I cut them incorrectly - again, the proportions were deceptive during the cutting out phase, and I was adding length (the pattern is for 6' tall men - for taller men simply add 2" for every inch over 6 ft) so I was thrown off.

Still, D. cuts quite the figure of a tall and handsome Irish gent in this, and I think this will make good summer garb for him when he accompanies me to the rare event.

Of course, now it's nearly December....