Sewing for Great Western War

It dawned on me this weekend that I go to my first SCA War in less than 1 week.  Eek!  This is the first time that I'll be away from home at an SCA event for long enough to need alternative outfits should weather tarnish them.  More clothing needed stat!!!

I started by doing a new Italian Ren Chemise as I made errors in construction on the first one that I've never repaired.  I couldn't find the chemise pattern that I created the last time so I ended up starting anew and I don't think it turned out too badly.

Next I wanted a new Italian Ren that I could fence in so it needs to be puncture resistant.  I searched my fabric stash for the yellow brocade that I've used for things before but I wasn't sure what to pair it with and then I saw  the perfect match.  I have a green/tan brocade that I've been waiting for "just the right project" to use upon.

Bronzino's Uknown Noble Woman (c:1540) serves as inspiration for this piece.  I've opted for the chemise to match the neckline.  The reason for this is two fold (1) I'm under a serious time constraint and (2) In order to meet rapier armor standards I'm going to have to add a partlet which will be harder to deal with this elaborate neckline.

I've measured the green carefully (there wasn't that much of it when I bought it) and am sure that I can get the dress and the puffed portion of the sleeves without a problem.  The lower half of the sleeves I'm planning on making detachable and they'll be in that yellow brocade I mentioned earlier.  As I'm planning on making the dress completely reversible with the yellow brocade, this blending should be perfect.

Tonight I drop tested the fabric combination and it passed!!!  I've made my test bodice to check for fit before I cut and it was perfect.  As it is getting late and I'm getting tired I'm going to hold off on making that first cut of the fabric until I'm fresh tomorrow.  With any luck, I'll be able to post a picture of me in the finished piece at war this weekend.