6th Century Frankish
6th Century Frankish Recreation
This was based off the Queen Arnegunde (510/520 - 580/590) grave findings in Saint-Denis, France. What appealed the most to me was the interpretations that she wore a shorter, knee lenght tunic, with a floor lenght coat.
I decided to make this outfit primarily because without the coat it would allow me to easily play with my daughter. Another advantage is that I can look nice if needed and it provides me with an an early period outfit that wasn't the same as everyone else. (What can I say, I like to stand out!)
I decided to make this outfit primarily because without the coat it would allow me to easily play with my daughter. Another advantage is that I can look nice if needed and it provides me with an an early period outfit that wasn't the same as everyone else. (What can I say, I like to stand out!)
Illumination from Rabula Gospel c. 6th Century
Since my main appeal to this outfit was the fact that it would allow me the flexibilty to play on the ground without being hampered by my skirts, I set out to find more support for this type of construction. I didn't find a lot, but I did find folio 13v of the Rabula Gospels (Mesopotamia, 6th century AD) which shows the Virgin Mary in a dress that looks like it could open in the front and was similar to the depictions of what Queen Arnegunde's dress might have looked like.
Since I wasn't out to prove that this was the absoluteness of the dress, I was content with what I was able to find and started out with making a similar outfit, and modified it so it would serve my needs. First and formost was a change I made in the stockings. While I'm sure these were knee or possibly thigh high stockings in period, it doesn't seve my purpose of getting down on the ground to play. Therefore, I made my hosen as full pants with an elastic waist, more reminiscent of 15th century hosen minus the elastic. This prevents me from flashing anyone and on hot days provides a barrier for my thighs.
My knee length tunic is a silk cotton blend, which I specifically bought for this purpose, and dyed purple since Arnegunde's tunic was of the same blend and roughly the same color. I tried to dye the fabric using natural methods, but it produced a dull and ugly greyish brown. I broke down and bought RIT dye and was much happier with the results.
The jacket is made of embroidered silk that I found on clearance at JoAnn's. Again, the embroidered pattern is not exactly period for the time, mainly because of the vine work, but I thought it was fun and colorful and would serve my purpose well, so I went with it. The base of the fabric is acutally a cross weave of red and yellow, which was in fact very appropriate. My veil is silk organza that I had also picked up at a completely different time for a different outfit that I decided against making latter.
I was originally going to purchase some of the reproductions of the metalwork pieces found in her grave, but they were too expensive. Instead, I found an elastic belt with a vaguely period buckle at Kohl's in order to belt tunic. A friend did some card weaving which I attached to the opening for my coat and is fabulous! I made some inkle trim to go around my veil, and since that was difficult enough to do that trim with a very small child around, I purchased some additional card woven trim to put on my tunic. I also purchased an owl brooch from Crafty Celts, which I just couldn't pass up.
The bottom parts of the coat sleeves are scraps from the tunic which I then pearled. I will likely redo them to make them more form fitting as shown in the illumination, rather than the looser sleeves shown in one of the reproduction drawings. I also need to weave bands for the garters to complete the look, and just recently purchased the material for that. Overall, I please with this outfit and it works exceptionally well when chasing a toddler! I will add more photos shortly - I hope.
Since I wasn't out to prove that this was the absoluteness of the dress, I was content with what I was able to find and started out with making a similar outfit, and modified it so it would serve my needs. First and formost was a change I made in the stockings. While I'm sure these were knee or possibly thigh high stockings in period, it doesn't seve my purpose of getting down on the ground to play. Therefore, I made my hosen as full pants with an elastic waist, more reminiscent of 15th century hosen minus the elastic. This prevents me from flashing anyone and on hot days provides a barrier for my thighs.
My knee length tunic is a silk cotton blend, which I specifically bought for this purpose, and dyed purple since Arnegunde's tunic was of the same blend and roughly the same color. I tried to dye the fabric using natural methods, but it produced a dull and ugly greyish brown. I broke down and bought RIT dye and was much happier with the results.
The jacket is made of embroidered silk that I found on clearance at JoAnn's. Again, the embroidered pattern is not exactly period for the time, mainly because of the vine work, but I thought it was fun and colorful and would serve my purpose well, so I went with it. The base of the fabric is acutally a cross weave of red and yellow, which was in fact very appropriate. My veil is silk organza that I had also picked up at a completely different time for a different outfit that I decided against making latter.
I was originally going to purchase some of the reproductions of the metalwork pieces found in her grave, but they were too expensive. Instead, I found an elastic belt with a vaguely period buckle at Kohl's in order to belt tunic. A friend did some card weaving which I attached to the opening for my coat and is fabulous! I made some inkle trim to go around my veil, and since that was difficult enough to do that trim with a very small child around, I purchased some additional card woven trim to put on my tunic. I also purchased an owl brooch from Crafty Celts, which I just couldn't pass up.
The bottom parts of the coat sleeves are scraps from the tunic which I then pearled. I will likely redo them to make them more form fitting as shown in the illumination, rather than the looser sleeves shown in one of the reproduction drawings. I also need to weave bands for the garters to complete the look, and just recently purchased the material for that. Overall, I please with this outfit and it works exceptionally well when chasing a toddler! I will add more photos shortly - I hope.