OK, let's do this.

I've cut out a generic side-lacing 16th century kirtle.  The fabric I'm using is a linen herringbone with a very subtle silver stripe...It was once very light blue with a very bright silver stripe, but then I attempted to dye the linen a darker blue.  It's now a steel-blue/grayish blue color (Number 930 is the closest on my monitor) and the dye really toned down the silver thread to where it can hardly be seen.  When I dyed it, there were also a couple of weak spots in the linen, which meant I had a couple of fist-sized holes to pattern around.  This is one of the reasons I chose this particular fabric; the other reason is because the dye did not take evenly, so it's pretty splotchy.  I've tried to cut it so that the most even color is on the bodice pieces and the super-splotchy areas are in the skirt.

Here's hoping.

Good thing this linen is stretchy...

Because I cut the bust and waist about 3 extra inches too small.  But the bodice is mostly done and I'm starting in on the skirt right now.  By the time I hang it up tonight, I should have everything done except hemming and lacing rings.

The linen is so stretchy that the topstitching I've done to keep the lining from rolling has left the top and bottom of the bodice edges all warped and wavy.  But with the whole cutting it 3 inches too small thing, the edges will smooth out once it's on a human being insead of laid flat on a table.


ETA:  1:15 AM.  I have the bodice and skirt constructed and the pleats pinned.  By some miracle, I'll be able to do rolled pleats on the back of the kirtle skirt.  That's an unexpected bonus.  Also, Odin is a nasty cat and the living room reeks.  I think I am going to go outside and have a cigarette in olfactory self-defense.  Then shower and bed.