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I have several open projects right now: my new smock, the drawn threadwork smock, velvet stays, draft #1 of the corset and the new sottana. Unfortunately, most of these are on hold right now for various reasons (speaking with experts on the sottana/stays, waiting for the busk for the corset, improving my drawn threadwork).

Ursula
Ursula

My wonderful friend Nicole is attending an event in January with me and she’s about ready to start her first set of garb. Her chosen look (left) seems to be of St Ursula, from Lombardy circa 1380 (according to this site: http://www.briaca.com/art/italycotte.html).

In addition, my other friend Avery started almost the same type of gown several months ago, which I have been occasionally helping with.

Since all of my projects are on hold, it seems like a good idea to work on a simpler, less labor intensive project while Nicole works on her kirtle/cotehardie. To that end, I have decided to make a sideless surcoat. I already have the pattern because I already wanted to make one, but I’ve dug up a couple inspiration pictures to reference.

Below are three 15th century sideless surcoat images from the Links at Larsdatter. The first is The Assassination of Agememnon, the next two from Bible Historiale, all early 1400s.

The assassination of Agamemnon
The assassination of Agamemnon
IMAGE: Solomon and the Queen of Sheba 1400s
IMAGE: Solomon and the Queen of Sheba 1400s
IMAGE: Moses’ law divorce 1400
IMAGE: Moses’ law divorce 1400

This one is from historical Costume Creation blog and it’s the one I like the most.

sideless surcoat
Sideless Surcoat

I have found several websites that look like they will be useful in constructing both of our dresses:

For now, this is just an idea of something I don’t need to be a perfectionist about making. It will just be something pretty to wear once in a while.

14th & 15th Century, Wardrobe