Shift
The layer of clothing next to the skin, your shift is critical to displaying your wealth or lack of it and to helping your outer costume look fantastic.
All my shifts are made from linen and made to measure. That gives you control over the neckline, length and fullness of sleeves to suit your taste and outfit.
Some basic shifts are shown here but the actual shape will be agreed on request. They can be made with frilled collars, plain collars, round neckline, square neckline or other agreed shape.
Shifts can also have blackwork embroidery around cuffs and collar for a little extra luxury. Please indicate if you wish to see a range of blackwork patterns and a price for it.
Shift with collar
Shift without Collar
Prices and Options
Machine sewn basic shift with hand finished hems and closures
£60 - Deposit £30
Hand sewn shift
Estimate on request
Blackwork embroidery
Estimate on request
Please add 2 weeks to the current waiting time for a basic shift as an estimate of delivery date. Delivery date will be confirmed when the deposit is paid.
Kirtle
This is the basic layer of outer clothing and it forms the skirt, bodice and bodice stiffening / support all in one garment. If made to your measurements, the bodice will be stiff and tight enough to provide all the support you need without modern underwear (bra), giving the right silhouette for the chosen period. In addition the kirtle may include skirt supports that shape the fall of the fabric.
A kirtle may include stitched on sleeves, seperate sleeves tied on or no sleeves at all.
The kirtle needs to reflect the specific time period being re-enacted. The shape of the shirt and its supports, the shape of the neckline, the level of the apparent waist on your body all define a specific time period through the Tudor and Elizabethan eras. For that reason it is not possible to give a price for this garment - the quantity and quality of fabric, the nature of the skirt support, the level of ornamentation all affect the price and are all unique to you and the time period you are re-enacting.
CORONA VIRUS: Any kirtle made until after the current lockdown is eased will be made to measurements, posted and then adjusted as much as possible if the fit is very poor.
Kirtle with sleeves
Kirtle with APRON
Prices and Options
All prices and delivery times will be agreed on request and after discussing the details required.
Partlet
The partlet was used to provide modest cover and either shade from the sun or warmth over a low cut kirtle. These can be simple linen, as shown here, or made from more substantial wool fabric, often in a contrasting colour from the main outfit.
Prices and Options
Machine sewn wool partlet (lined in linen)
£50 - Deposit £10
Hand sewn linen partlet (single layer)
£65 due to the detailed and visible hand stitched hemming required - Deposit £15
Please add 2 weeks to the current waiting time as an estimate of delivery date. Delivery date will be confirmed when the deposit is paid.
Waistcoat
Worn over a kirtle for warmth or over a skirt, the waistcoat was an iconic garment for lower class women in the Elizabethan times and earlier. The waistcoat shown is styled for a later period but has many of the Elizabethan elements, such as inset gores to shape the bottom area and narrow sleeves.
The waistcoat can have different types of closures, including hooks and eyes, ties or no closure. They are always lined and often tailored with soft stiffening to provide good shaping.
The version shown is completely hand sewn but could be machine sewn for all hidden seams with no detriment to the appearance.
CORONA VIRUS: Any waistcoat made until after the current lockdown is eased will be made to measurements, posted and then adjusted as much as possible if the fit is very poor.
Waistcoat with tie front
Machine sewn waistcoat with hand finished hems and closures
£180 - Deposit £60
Hand sewn waistcoat
Estimate on request
Front closure options
Hooks and eyes only - included
Ribbon ties only - included
Hooks, eyes and decorative ribbon ties add £15
Other closure and price by agreement
Please add 4 weeks to the current waiting time as an estimate of delivery date. Delivery date will be confirmed when the deposit is paid.
Other Options
French hood
Neckchief
Hose / Stockings
Bodies (see the Bodies, Stays and Corsets page as these started to be worn near the end of the Elizabethan era
Separate sleeves for kirtle.
Please get in touch to discuss options and prices
French Hood
Prices and Options
Estimates will be provided prior to committing to any purchase. Some items require at least one fitting in person.
Delivery date will be confirmed when the deposit is paid.
Reviews
“We look forward to hearing your views”