Medieval kirtle

The kirtle was a garment that supported the bust and created the correct silhouette for the period. It was worn over the petticoat, and from the 1540s onwards, over the farthingale. It seems that the kirtle bodice was stiffened in some way, usually with buckram. This was a stiffened linen which may have had additional stiffening consisting of some kind of “boning”.

*** Welcome to the photo dump for my new blue kirtle (the construction of which was recently documented in my latest Dress Diary). Based on early 16th century illustrations, the kirtle laces up the front and features short sleeves, a 'V' back, and a shaped skirt (constructed with piecing). It was originally inspired by a page from Catherine de Medici's Book of Hours. Although less popular later in the century, blue seemed to be a fairly ubiquitous colour in the first decades of the 16th…

My friend is working on a kirtle class for Pennsic. I am made some pictures for her to use, trying to demonstrate the possible uses for a kirtle pattern once you've made one. We aren't pushing it as a period correct method of pattering, only as a possibility. Also trying to keep it as simple as possible: it drove me crazy wanting to include notes on proper accessories like aprons, hats, coifs, purses, belts, sleeves, under dress, shifts, etc. My website for more costume goodness…

*** This is another project that has been on my to do list for a while. It started almost exactly a year ago: I made my first mock up during the July long weekend last year and took these photos over the same holiday weekend this year. It was meant to be a quick summer project, but it was almost immediately derailed...because I have the attention span of a gerbil. I'd wanted to make a red kirtle for ages and fell in love with the bold, black and yellow accessories of the one featured in the…

Blue Linen Dutch Kirtle – Faerie Queen Costuming

Dagging - a form of decoration which edges of the garment were cut into pointed or squared scallops

Under her dress she wears a Gown/Kirtle: which is a layer of fabric placed under to give the stiff look to not show wrinkles of the dress.

Learn how to create a simple 13th century kirtle, using two shapes!

After making a medieval smock, it was time for a kirtle! Definitions are tricky, and I’m no expert on Medieval fashion, but as far as I could find the term ‘kirtle’ generally just…

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