Yea! - I have made some progress!!

Managed to get a strip of silk bamboo braided for the entari

AND (drumroll, please....) The pants are almost finished!   Had a bit of an issue with the silly britches - I reduced the pattern a LOT, but still ended up with 20 pounds of fabric bunched up around my hips (used a casing and just gathered it together - per the pattern) and it all went POOF

Not an acceptable outcome.

So, I am pleating the front of the pants and probably using a hook/eye closure on each side.  (I may also pleat the back)   This particular combination may not be period with these types of pants, but frankly - I don't care.   They look MUCH better this way

;o)

bummer ;(

Have been completely and totally sidetracked on another project and haven't been able to do ANYTHING

<sigh>  At this rate, I'll be luck to have the different pieces constructed, let alone decorated.  I am hoping to get back into things soon - Maybe November will be quieter  ;)

I almost have the dress done - just need to finish the flatfelling and do some hemming.   I think I'll do the pants next and on to entari!

New Idea! (again)

So, I am building my documentation as I go along.  (I know - will wonders never cease?)

Anyway - one of the pictures I am using for inspiration shows a lined Entari (robe).  I had just finished writing that I did not have any fabric running around that was light enough and slick enough to act as a lining under the linen, on top of the cotton dress - when I remember this:

I bought a whole bunch of this lovely silk years ago and made most of it into a Palestinian dress that is marvelously comfortable to wear.  There is about 2+ yards that is fringed for a veil, but it just does not work as such, plus I have about a yard and a half left over from the dress itself.


So. . . . . I think I found my lining!!

Progress!

Well, a little anyway.   Managed to get the dress all cut out and even part of it sewn together.  yeah!!

Oh, and btw - flat-felling seams takes a TON of thread.

Let's try it again

Ok, I am back from Canada, Virginia and Horsethief Reservoir - now maybe I can get some sewin' done.

Thanks to Rogue,(thank you, thank you, thank you) I have some gorgeous chocolate satin (silk?) that I am going to use for my kaftan

Here is my new color scheme

The left section is the satin and the decorative triangles; the black farajiyya fabric is under everything; in the middle from the top is the undershirt, then the dress and the pants fabric is on the bottom.  The right hand side has the lining for the kaftan sleeves and the main body.  The red and blue thread will be the braided trim on the farajiyya and the other thread will be lacings on the other pieces (and possibly something woven)

Now, all I have to do is put together.  ;o)

New Quandary

So, period Turkish pieces seem very rarely to be solids - most of the outfits that I have seen are patterned. (just for the record, I tend to keep away from patterned fabric in all my clothes, mundane or otherwise.)

Anyway - looking around at various examples brought the realization that I can't have a plain kaftan - it has to be patterned in some form or another. 

Which 'form'?  Well, I am not very good at beading or embroidery - no way would that amount of work be done in 5 years, let alone by next January - have no idea how to couch and the card weaving is usually restricted to trim. 

However, applique' comes to mind - especially after I saw this: 

hhmmmmm  ;o)   I don't have the silk (silly spending limit), but I do have the heavy blue linen AND some cool looking damask curtains that have been hiding in the garage since Linen N Things went out of business. 

The plan (revised) - Cut out 60 or so 5x5x7 triangles (plus fold-over allowance) and sew them onto the blue, and then line it with the tan linen. Definitely a winter coat.  ;o)  If I am lucky - I may have enough of the curtain fabric to line the sleeves and neck of the kaftan, so as to be a bit more 'showy'. 

The dilemma - Do I sew the triangles onto the fabric and cut it all out and sew it together?  Or cut out the pattern, sew the triangles onto the main parts, sew the fabric together and sew more triangles onto the seams?  (matching patterns has never been my strong suit)

I am thinking the latter, but am open to any suggestions.  ;)

Thought for the day

Here's a little hint for anyone taking on a sewing project of any magnitude - Do not, under any circumstances!!!! jam your thumb into a wall (on purpose or otherwise) and rip off every teeny-tiny, painfully attached bit (except the cuticle) of your nail.

Really doesn't help.

Just sayin'