Crimson and gold gown page 1   2  3   4
     I first got the idea for this gown from the portrait of Elizabeth at Greenwich. I wanted to have the large worked undersleeves with the over sleeves framing with the tuffs of fabric caught with jewels and pearls. The first generation of the crimson gown did not have the under skirt. I made it with the two rows of trim and jewels going down the front of the bodice and overskirt. I also made a large ruff to wear with it (or at least as large as I could deal with!) 
     Also keeping in mind that I would be wearing this outfit in Oklahoma and/or Texas, I decided against the higher neck line. I opted for a lower square line. At the time I was also undergoing total facial reconstruction and was unsure if I would be able to stand stuff around my face. 
     When I built the bodice I followed the example in Janet Arnold’s “Patterns of Fashion”. One alteration that I made (and make for all my gowns) is to raise the back of the neckline to compensate for my rather small shoulders. Had I built it exactly to specifications I most likely would have have trouble keeping it in place. 
     The bodice laces up the sides and is lined with cotton broadcloth for comfort. In the front part I re-enforced the shape with buckram 
and light boning 
 


Arnold, Patterns of Fashion. Page 104  circa 1562 
 


Bodice- flat front view
 
 

 
Queen Elizabeth I  Attributed to John Bettes. 
c. 1586-87. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Bodice- flat back view