Sewing a Tudor Kirtle for Anne Boleyn: 16th Century Basic Underdress

[@AshLG]

"I should baste these but I'm lazy" - for a project with a hand sewn lining, hem, eyelets, waist seam, all that interlining to cut and secure, all the reinforcing... I am already massively impressed by your diligence!

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Haha thank you! I definitely have areas that I'm willing to fudge ;-)

[@historicalgarb8790]

Can’t wait for your return to KZbin! I rewatched for when you post you gown video 🫶

[@AbbyCox]

5:50 👀👀👀👀👀 No judgey here...I totally do the same thing..I just...usually regret it afterward. 😂 (The kirtle looks beautiful and it's so wonderful to see your thought process through the construction and also 10/10 eyeing eyelets. So easy when they're spiral laced. ❤ Well done dear friend!

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Hehe thank you!

[@CandiceLemonSharks]

Samantha: but I need a black kirtle for Anne Boleyn Black Cat: you rang?

[@niccoarcadia4179]

What you do with a needle and thread is totally unreal. I am in awe. Your ingenuity (design work) is extraordinary.

[@pippaseaspirit4415]

You look so much like a Tudor queen 👍🏻

[@MonaSkovJensen]

Just watching you wip the upper bodice to the shirt was so satisfying to the eye!

[@phenomadology23]

Awesome again on a rewatch!! Looks hella warm and toasty too.

[@nancycampbell8671]

OMG! How beautiful!

[@jehannarc]

This was wonderfully helpful! Thank you!

[@sammy5674]

Thank you for the hard work you put into these videos for history buffs like me. It's very appreciated 🙏

[@tylerball5308]

This is the most useful crash course in sewing lesson . I’ve watched multiple times.

[@dankronjin8562]

My teenage daughter finally decided she wants to go to Faire with me, and all the girls I know that do costume live pretty far away. Been trying to figure out for weeks how to put her kirtle together. The Tudor tailor is a great resource for people who’ve made one before. I haven’t. You’re video has been incredibly helpful. Already have a mock-up made, and think it’s going to turn out very well. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

[@AEShapera]

Always massively inspiring.

[@emmadroste8493]

I love all the more "approximate" methods of doing eyelets and pleats!! I feel like I get caught in my head about the details so seeing your kirtle come out so beautifully helps me let go a little

[@devonolney4917]

11:15 yeh I don’t fuss about with maths when when sewing either 😂🙈

[@aw04tn58]

The cat wandering through the fabric is so relatable lol

[@lauraguglielmo]

Ahhhh the skirt and bodice attached so neatly gave me enormous satisfaction

[@reubenkendall2525]

this video has been in my "to watch" queue for months and HOW I WISH I had watched this sooner. I'm not able to afford good patterns and I haven't studied my sewistry enough to know a lot of these construction details, so this video was exactly what I have been craving. This fall I cobbled together my own pattern for a jerkin and helped a friend make a gown with a late 15th century Italian silhouette. It was her first big sewing project and my second stab at building a pattern from whatever historical notes and images I could find online, combined with what I wanted for the final silhouette. We were up the creek without a paddle for quite a bit of the project but everything came out swimmingly and we are excited for round two sometime next year. I'm sharing this video with my sewing buddy as SOON as possible because it answers so, so many questions we had, and many that we didn't know we needed answers for. I really can't say thanks for this enough.

[@racheljackson4144]

Everything about how the kirtle lays on your body fits so perfectly, cleanly, smoothly, and crisply- it looks deceptively simple but polished- and watching all the many, many steps that goes into making the garment is both satisfying and awe inspiring

[@zappawench6048]

Stunning result! I can only imagine how it must feel to wear such a regal gown.

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you! This is one of my favorite eras to wear!

[@mnels5214]

That looks so fabulous! And I love the way the stiffening is just as straight as if you'd used boning. I'm still trying to get the hang of that for my kirtles and this has been super helpful. Thanks for posting!

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you! It's taken a LOT of experimentation to get the right amount of stiffness. And depending on the social class or if I'm wearing the kirtle alone or with a petticoat underneath, I'll change the number of layers, what they're made of, and how stuff the buckram is. For working class, I tend to like it less stiff so I can bend more easily and not get hard creases in the buckram! Plus that's what seems to be more common in images.

[@Kupfergard]

My my this is gorgeous! The way the front sits so perfectly smooth without a single wrinkle or crease T-T criiiiisp

[@centurycountess4949]

Omg I've always wanted to see a video of an Anne Boleyn portrait costume. This is a dream come true.

[@JessieCochran37]

All I have to say, Samantha, is that you are a QUEEN! That twirling at the end, *chef's kiss. I don't know how you had the patience to do all those steps and layers for the kirtle, but it sure looks worth it when you see the finished product. Another great video, thanks for uploading!

[@making.history]

Okay, this kirtle is stunning, but also this video is SO WELL DONE! You explain all the parts of the process that I would have had questions about so clearly and concisely. Obviously I'm impressed by your sewing skills and knowledge, but your ability to write a script and convey information is so impressive and appreciated!

[@annayoung4220]

I am so glad I found your video BEFORE I started on mine!! Everything makes so much more sense to me now. Beautiful work- can't wait to see the gown!

[@tammyjones1529]

Thank you so much for such a lovely, easy to follow video! I will be using what I've learned here on my kirtle.

[@BurnleyandTrowbridge]

Fabulous video Samantha! I love the historic research that you share along with the process!❤️

[@VBirchwood]

Absolutely gorgeous!

[@annelieserose7928]

Goodness that’s so beautiful

[@raraavis7782]

Beautiful result and interesting construction process. I would have totally guessed, that there is a pair of stays under there. People back then were amazingly good at making extraordinary things with very simple means.

[@mokanger97]

I'm currently working on a tudor kirtle for historybounding purposes, so not only did this video satisfy my love of learning about dress history, it came at the perfect time to help with my current project!

[@bucketoffrogz]

Beautiful! Really looking forward to seeing the progress on the gown, and even more excited to see her french hood after watching your french hood video!

[@prettywiltsforthee4763]

My gosh!!! I absolutely love the final result! The pleating and lacing are my favourite details, but their loveliness pales in comparison with the sheer smoothness of the bodies! It's beautiful and amazing and a work to be proud of!

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you so much!

[@RetroClaude]

Oh my goodness 😍 so gorgeous! I'm totally inspired to make a Tudor outfit now. I'll add it to my very long To Make list 💚

[@esoraleak]

Can't wait to see the whole outfit!

[@TheMetatronGirl]

You make beautiful clothing!!

[@graceface418]

So simple but yet so elegant and beautiful. Well done!

[@DipityS]

Oh it's beautiful! I'm no expert, but I have to say I think the work is masterful - so neat and uniform and consistent. They would have approved of you in the 19th Century! As an aside, I also want to mention that your voice is made for voiceovers and perhaps even audiobooks - you have a clear and pleasant diction and a lovely tone which is easy to listen to.

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

Such fine techniques and fabrics, wonderful videos. More, please!

[@bohemiansusan2897]

Enjoyed watching this. No need to apologize to other vlogers as you do what is best for you. The totally historically accurate garment means total hand construction and to be honest few have time for that. I call mine retro because of my construction methods and a few modern improvements. Overall look is the same until close examination is done.

[@carolyng5235]

Your dress is amazing and reflects the importance of good craftsmanship! I may never make a 16th century gown, but will definitely incorporate your techniques into my 18th and 19th century fashions. Thank you so much!

[@СолнечныйПарус-р7щ]

You are such a talented smart girl with golden hands! Everything is so neatly done and with such perseverance! You would have already been in the staffs of gold embroiderers by any noble person.

[@vincentbriggs1780]

It's beautiful! I'm looking forward to the rest of this series! It's so satisfying to see neat hand finishing, and you have a lovely speaking voice.

[@asilverfoxintasmania9940]

Hand sewing, fur child, here let me "help".... hehe, thank you for sharing that! The finished outfit was truly stunning! Thank you for sharing your process, I found it really helpful!

[@999Giustina]

Wonderful!

[@TheSingerSews]

As I watch you sewing this I can't stop making "I have a mighty need" noises. The finished product looks so fantastic and your skill blows me away at every single step. You're an inspiration. It's making me want to do Tudor garb so badly.

[@TheSingerSews]

Also I totally eyeball my spiral laced eyelets in exactly the manner you used.

[@erikaa.3030]

Amazing!! God bless you and your skills!

[@uching1718]

A like for the black house panther

[@toadhalltea122]

Beautifully done, as always! Great timing for me - I’ve just been back to working on my 1580s worsted kirtle and this is excellent inspiration!!

[@estherhadassa1061]

Absolutely gorgeous! 💗💗💗

[@elizabethpothier6270]

This is lovely! Thank you for sharing the construction of this Kirtle! I made my first Kirtle and have several things I want to change for my second one, and your video is going to be so helpful in figuring out how to fix the things I don't like in the first one.

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you! Each new project is another opportunity to learn and grow!

[@micheleparker8553]

Wonderful video! I love hand sewing, and I really enjoyed watching you. You have amazing techniques. This old grandma learned a thing or two. I wished I would have paid more attention to my grandma. She was a very accomplished seamstress. Actually my dad was excellent at sewing too. He paid more attention to his mom sewing than me lol. He even reupholstered furniture! Your Kirtle turned out absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing. ❤

[@bettystimetravels6372]

Wow, I have been looking forward to a new video from you and this is so interesting! 👍👍👍 It makes me want to sew Tudor garments 🙂🙃🙂🤣

[@MollyWeiss]

The terror I felt watching you freehand mark those eyelets! What a beautiful result! I've had a Tudor gown planned for ages and all your videos will be tremendously helpful when I actually start sewing.

[@cristianavadean2349]

You make this look so easy! I can't even imagine how many hours of practice it took to be this awesome!

[@PerpetualJoy]

This is so beautiful! 😍 Thank you for the amazing tutorial!

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you! 😊

[@Crescend0ll]

I love, love, LOVE your videos ! Your garments are always super neat and clean, your explications super clear, and you make me wanna sew costumes from eras that I never considered before. You look divine, can't wait to see your next video ! Take care !

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you so much! That’s wonderful to hear!

[@monicadesouza1253]

This was so incredibly helpful💜. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you! I'm so glad to hear that it's helpful!

[@sarah-phillips]

Love it! I just so enjoy your whole process. The final garment is just so beautiful!

[@sophia__1509]

Looks amazing! You did a great job.

[@SimpleDesertRose]

Your dog eats so much more quite than mine, lol. I swear you can hear him clear across the house. I'm totally crushing on your house panther too. I really love how this came out. I have been toying with the idea if making a kirtle myself for my local renaissance fair next year. I have a copy of the Tudor Tailor, I guess its time to take another look at it. Thanks for explaining how you did the lacing holes. I have been beating my head against the wall to figure out how to do the spiral lacing. That was the perfect visual and exactly what I needed.

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you! I'm glad the lacing hole demo was helpful! I've decided to just roll with whatever the cats and dog end up doing while I'm filming lol. It's easier than waiting until one of them is quiet, which rarely happens!

[@SimpleDesertRose]

@@TheCoutureCourtesan quite is definitely not something that happens in my house either. Between the kids, the dog, the cats, the chickens and ducks, and even the neighbor's donkeys. Its rarely quite 😂

[@ileam.bonner442]

Thank you this is so helpful with my project!!!!! I have been reading over and over again on how to construct one of these for my daughter and my brain was having a hard time connecting the dots on how to do this. Though I was going to add reed boning and a wooden busk into hers because that was what was shown in Tudor tailor. And it is for princess Elizabeth’s portrait style.

[@Tasio52]

this is amazing! Congratulations!

[@rebeccasuerdieck5083]

WOW! Samantha, this is awesome!

[@dianesawyerdooley4424]

lol... I have that very same cell phone case. Love your videos; there's not enough pre-17th c Costube out there!

[@britneymortenson8772]

Beautiful! I love this and learned a lot!

[@sigma6656]

That's a very pretty garment.

[@Juezma52]

Simply amazing level of skill!

[@bryonyniamh]

Looks beautiful!

[@embergqvist7900]

I need to make something similar! Love the dress!! I am in awe about how you found such cheap silk taffeta, i cant even find silk taffeta in My country

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

The fabric gods were truly smiling on me that day! I was fortunate to visit a discount fabric store with friends that is packed with hidden gems.

[@Pinkiegirl570]

It looks fantastic!

[@kathycase9774]

Thank you! Wonderful video!

[@an_evening_star_rose5991]

I love this!

[@elisabetta611]

Oh wow, I just found your channel and I'm LOVING it! Given that you have Anne's colouring, this is a PERFECT look. Great work!

[@lisaharmon5619]

Beautiful!

[@stoker1931jane]

Once again a beautiful😍 project👌🏼. I ❤Love that you share your journey with us all👍🏻. Please keep them coming. Well be waiting for your next instalment. 👋🏻 from The Netherlands🇳🇱

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you so much!

[@starwarssyl1177]

Lovely!

[@Ventura0404]

Wow, That explains so much thank you for the video

[@rasingirl75]

As a Tudor history and Anne Boleyn fan, this was so very satisfying to watch. However, I don't sew. Wish I did. Good job.

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you! There will be more Anne-specific history in the video about the gown!

[@mommabumble]

It's never too late to start to sew! Especially when there are such amazing tutorial videos for us to delve into such as this one.

[@rasingirl75]

@@mommabumble I have been thinking about it. I watch Morgan Donner (that's how I ended up here), for the cool things she makes but I am intimidated....lol.

[@twade0423]

Great craftsmanship

[@a.munroe]

I just love your content, I always watch twice! Once on my daughters account and probably actually mine a few hundred 😄

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you! :D

[@charm1nghearts]

It's beautiful!

[@videoolga8850]

Stunning

[@blktauna]

beautiful work!

[@Minnastina]

I make my own clothes too but ur sewing is so neat & tidy it really makes my sewing look bad. U have a lot of patience & must b a perfectionist! But it really makes ur finished product look really good.😭

[@kittycatt738]

I love the colours and construction! Do you have any links for that petticoat bodice pattern?😍

[@sharib5922]

Amazing and glorious!

[@Victoria-nh9sp]

Gorgeous

[@babuybabuyan]

Very well done! I'd love to see your work featured in period films! (If they haven't already)

[@VanessaWJ]

I wish I could give you10 thumbs up. Well done.

[@ipaddlewithapoodleinapuddl9389]

The result is wonderful ! I am curious about the pattern : did you do it ? If so could you tell us a bit about how you drafted it please ? Thank you for making these videos :)

[@penelope-oe2vr]

Love it! ❤

[@denisehill7769]

Fascinating, and beautiful work. Are all the layers very hot to wear? I imagine in an English winter they would be beautifully cosy but the summers must have been a bit uncomfortable at times, unless they maybe left off the under-dress?

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you! The layers may seem hot to us today but Europe was experiencing a "Little Ice Age" from about the 14th to the 19th century, when temperatures were much colder and wetter. Plus homes didn't have central heating!

[@denisehill7769]

@@TheCoutureCourtesan Yes; those huge fires did warm the immediate vicinity but the rest of the room would have stayed cold. I'd forgotten about the mini ice age :) people setting up stalls and events on the Thames. Incidentally we live not far from Little Moreton Hall, which dates from Tudor times and it is very cold even in summer - they do light a fire there but you almost have to sit on it to get the benefit.

[@elizabethgee9776]

This is beautiful and very instructive. What is the black material? Thanks

[@nawabwajidalishahawadh1349]

The fit is fabulous! Regarding the forepart,is their any evidence of them having been basted on the kirtle to be replaceable?

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you! Yes, there are lots of references in written accounts to separate foreparts, although it's not clear how they were attached. Basting makes sense, as does pinning them.

[@stevieeenguyen]

@Samantha Bullat for the kirtle skirt, are there any other places the outer fabric and liner are attached besides the top and bottom hem? I'm having a hard time finding information about skirt liners and how they are to be attached to one another. Thanks in advance!

[@hannahbradshaw2186]

Very late comment and not related to the sewing in this video, but I was wondering how to do the black border on the smock sleeve ruffle edge. I can't find any tutorials anywhere.

[@GraciePattenSewing]

the finished kirtle is so pretty! If you were attaching the buckram interlining by hand, would you use a pad stitch to secure it?