Wimple research and patterning
A friend who LARPs invited me to tea to show me a head piece they wear that is similar to the above picture. I was so grateful because I had struggled to find a suitable pattern online or in books before now, but after my visit I realised that this kind of garment is actually super simple to make; it's made up of 3 separate simple hemmed parts.
There is a band that ties around the head seen above and below.
A smaller square piece of fabric that is pinned to this headband and the back, looping to cover the front of the neck.
Lastly, a large piece of fabric is pinned on the top of the head to cover the hair and head.
I worked with the fashion studio technician Carmella to create a paper pattern and then used this to replicate the wimple in both linen and calico.
Measurements:
Big piece - 94cm width x 49cm height
Small piece - 64cm width x 34cm height
Headband piece - 40.5cm width x 3.5cm height
* Plus 2cm seam allowance to be added to all 3 pieces.
I traced the pattern on using pencil and cut them out in both fabrics.
After hemming all 6 pieces, I marked the fabric so I know how it all fits together/ which way up ot needs to be when on display.
I then machine embroidered over this text. I backed the embroidered areas with batting to make it a more robust.
I am glad of the dummy head that I invested in because it's helping me to get a better feel for the placement and composition of the writing. This will be more and more useful as the pieces progress.
