Medieval queens wore wool. I wear thrift store curtains.

Hello! I made a princess dress out of curtain, but I promise this video will be a very solemn and rigorous exercise in historical communication (as you've come to expect from this fine channel).

Notes, Corrections, Clarifications:
1. There is a later gown at the national museum of Hungary that is Burgundian-ish. But it really is a different sort of gown and wasn't about to offer me clues to the construction of earlier styles.

2. English broadcloths were apparently legislated to be 1.75 yards wide, but I can't find where this legislation actually comes from. Just tons of references to it.

3. 30 metres is not a standard bolt of broadcloth. More like 20. The exact numbers can be found in John Munro's works online.

4. The pattern I ended up using has a different amount of big skirt triangles...but for ridiculous piecing reasons that I didn't really want to detail. Just for the observant of you who noticed something different was going on. Its still a big cone.

SOURCES, COPYRIGHT CREDITS, FULL IMAGE LIST, PINTEREST BOARD, ETC:

MUSIC:

"Journey in the New World" by Twin Musicom (YT audio library) CC BY 4.0

Sonata in F Major "Golden Sonata" by Purcell. Perf. Papalin. via Musopen. CC BY 3.0

"Church Bell Celebration" by Doug Maxwell/Media RIght Productions (YT audio library license)

Subtitles will be up later this week. Thanks for your patience!

[anieth]

Girl, we love anyone weird. Especially us old ones. I love seeing how the young people are carrying on the costume calling! Beautiful reveal--show us more!

[MicarahTewers]

GORGEOUS!! I really love how it turned out! and your process/ingenuity is really fascinating to me. bravo!

[spinnettdesigns]

It's wonderful to see this tradition continuing! And what a lovely job.
Our mother grew up in Bavaria in the 30's and went through the war there. She was mindful of not wasting but she was also very stylish.
During the 60's and 70's she regularly recycles drapes into clothing (beautiful Herman Miller fabric) Us 5 children were mortified at this but I learned differently later...about 10 years ago I had to give a presentation and I made a (short jacket 50's style, square neck 3/4 sleeve) suit and a later, a Holly-go-lightly style dress, from two different (fabric) shower curtains. Of course, I used the original hem from the curtain, just for fun. Just a month ago I made a beautiful blue velvet skirt out of a $1 pillow sham from Goodwill, by pleating the back waistline. I think it is a blast to think creatively and enjoy the process. I enjoy making things for others as well.
May you enjoy this fun for many years to come and thank you for sharing this!

[rachelvigil]

The phrase "historically adequate" really made me smile, love the dress and getting creative at the thrift store!

[angelaross]

Your gown turned out wonderful. Sometimes life interrupts, but I’m glad you finished the gown.

[terrylopez]

Broadcloth: Reminds me of a saying that my dad used frequently. “All wool and a yard wide!” Said as a supreme compliment.

[MelancholyRequiem]

I grew up one of four children in 1990s SoCali and my love for sewing began with thrift store sheets, table runners, and blankets. It warms my heart seeing you and other YouTubers utilize these thrift store items because they are very rarely sold to be used for their original purpose (mainly inability to find a full matching set). Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful work with us!!!

[jasleenkbhullar]

You are so well spoken and articulate, it's really admirable! I loved the historical commentary before the historical costumery!

[thequintanashow]

Love this. Favorite part by far: “foldy bit”

[avisfuriosa]

If that fabric was available in Germany, say, seven years or so ago, I made someone's fantasy themed wedding dress out of it, so 100 of 100 points for taste 😂

This channel rocks really hard for me, I thought I was the only one to make vaguely historical stuff out of thrifted fabrics and I'm right glad to be wrong. The gown, needless to say, turned out fabulously.

[Cutondogor]

You're absolutely right - those gathers make it, totally.

And my local thrift store is completely out of tacky polyester sheets, thanks to my need for toiles 🙂

[honorladone]

I love The Carol Burnett show when she becomes Scarlett O'Hara with draperies.

[alanbirkner]

I once made an Obi-Wan costume from tea and a stained banquet tablecloth. My kids are now in their 40's and I am in awe of your skill. Tina, Al's wife

[kristalrose]

Absolutely beautiful! Those curtains were born to be that beautiful gown!

[sabrinadavis]

I love how you discuss the history of the fabric aside from the actual process of making the dress, thank you for taking the time to do so and sharing with us ❤

[Megistus]

I find plain, fine woolen fabrics so elegant, along with silk satin or atlas silk. I like it much more than brocades, but most people i know who do reenactment, like patterned fabrics better. The only exception for me would be the 15th century pomegranate velvet, nothing beats that :D . Your dress looks great, the whole outfit fits you well !

[noneofyourbusiness]

Your reference images, narration, and persistence in creating a historically accurate looking dress using modern materials is wonderful! Excellent musical accompaniment too. You have proven that you can create a great dress on a budget. Thank you for your hard work. 😊❤

[styleme]

I had a very similar stall with a dressing gown/robe I was making. I used a historical pattern that I could plug my measurements into and easily put together. I had a large scrap of 108 wide cotton printed fabric for the front. I cut everything out and had some extra triangular panels left that I could turn and use for extra fullness in the skirt. Then I decided to use an old top sheet to line but it was white and I needed it to be coral. Then I decided to add piping to the edges. Then I decided cotton lace gathered really tightly around the elbow would look amazing. Then I realized I made a mistake on the size of the lining in the sleeves and it was a touch too short. I folded everything up and put it away. We moved across the country and I ignored my 85% finished project because my mistake felt enormous when it happened and I was sad about it. When I pulled it back out with fresh eyes It just needed a strip added and some hand sewing to tack everything down. It took me less than 3 hours to fix the mistake, add a ruffle and finish off all the little details. In the end it turned out perfectly. The 800 thread count sheet as lining really is lovely. The gathered cotton lace makes me feel like a regal lady and I find any excuse to put that thing on. Lol Cheers to powering through and getting it done!

[megancavagnaro]

This is so inspirational! I've been thrifting curtains to make our initial garb for the SCA. I haven't started making it yet because I'm filled with self-doubt, lol. Your realistic approach to making "historically adequate" reproduction clothing is super accessible and I really appreciate that!

[yvonneburns]

My fairytale princess look are all Rococo stylised, I just love the outrageous designs and the shoes, oh god those