I have started to work on resewing the red silk bliaut that I originally wore during my husband’s first time fighting in the Crown Tourney.
Red Bliaut Progress
I have torn it apart and am currently flatlining it by hand with black lightweight linen.
I chose to line each piece separately, instead of using a bag lining, because I am using the lining to add to the structural integrity of each piece of the dress. The red dupioni is a very lightweight fabric that does not have the body or the strength to hold up well on its own. By lining each piece, the dress will have more structural integrity as I sew through both the outer fabric and lining when putting the dress together.
I am using red silk dupioni, black lightweight linen, and silk thread for the main body of the dress. All of these materials were known and used in this time period (mid-12th century). As I complete my research, I will add information about the use of such materials together and in the ways that I am using them. Silk dupioni was not a fabric often seen (if at all) in this time period, however, it was the fabric available to me at the time and once lined will have the proper body and drape for the dress. Typically white or natural linen would have been used to line a garment, however, as a woman of means (at least in persona) and knowing that the red dye from the silk runs, I chose to use black.
I am using a basic running stitch to secure the lining to the outer fabric. A running stitch is appropriate to the time and since there will be no stress on this attachment, it doesn’t need a stronger stitch.
More updates as I work…