Nothing beats a linen dress in the summer.
Softer with age, breathable, natural, a fabric of the ages. Considering that so many fairs take place in the warmer months and I’m always complaining about being too warm to wear many layers of garb, it was time for a linen dress. I used the same pattern as the cinnamon rust medieval gown, but made this iteration a touch smaller and with straight sleeves. Good sun coverage in oh-so-breathable beige linen.
I modified the tie to run through a button-hole so that both straps can be knotted behind the back. This creates a very flat and smooth front. For decoration I made a wide-cuff embellished with machine embroidery in both thread and floss.
The neckline needed a bit of reinforcement to lay flat and I had the perfect double-fold bias tape kickin’ around the stash. I first added interest with a flower embroidery stitch to the unfolded tape, then refolded and applied to the neckline from top to bottom with an applique stitch. I love it, and may start adding bias tape to all my necklines.
I finished the dress just in time to wear as a base layer to the Enchanted Orchard Renaissance Faire. Inspired by the scenery, I styled myself as a 15th century European farmhand.
