Medieval Supportive Kirtle || A Pretty Disaster?

I have passionately been working on this project since mid-October (in false hopes that I would finish it before October 31st). For the past few years, I have been very self-conscious? about my appearance when it comes to costumes. I always have ideas to create a historical piece or costume and end up buying the supplies for it yet I can never manage to transfer the pattern to the fabric and cut it. It snowballed from a number of reason but let's not get into that now! I finally created something after a long hiatus.

My inspiration came from the lovely Morgan Donner on instagram after coming across her in the #FallForCostume challenge by RedThreaded. My curiosity led me to her absolutely wonderful Youtube channel and her gorgeous heraldic gown. Browsing her videos, I found her draping and pattern making videos quite helpful. It really was inspiring seeing how seemingly carefree she was when her first mock-ups didn't end up perfectly. She really taught me to not be so hard on myself in my sewing.

Here are some reference images I used:

(left: Detail of the Shepard's Dance, MS LAT.873.412 French, 15th Century, France. Right: Stark Triptych, 1480)

(That kirtle under that surcoat though! From the third panel of Alte Pinakothek's St. Columba's altarpiece (triptych))

So here it is! My supportive kirtle (which still needs to be hemmed and the sleeves finished) in the comfort of my room (and risque-ly without a chemise/shirt which was lost to the left of me in a pile of clothes).

 My mistake with the sleeves was that I didn't add any seam allowance, thus my reliance on the frayed edges of the fabric to finish the sleeve. It ended up a bit tight on my forearm which has me considering making it a short-sleeved kirtle. Otherwise I adore it!

 (The longer I wore it, the more comfortable the fit of the sleeves were. Now I just need to see how it feels with my chemise/shirt on.)

The more I look at that overdress/surcoat, the more I want to make a matching one. I'm considering it as I finish up the sleeves now. I also need to make a modest head covering. I have a little less than a yard of cotton voile, a fabric that I adore, so I'm going to make a simple veil out of that. Hopefully better quality photos to come soon with the completed look!