German Gown c. 1535

Here is the development of the beaded German gown for a Duchess Asa Hrafnsdottir's final court as the 71st Queen of Atenveldt. This gown was inspired by the painting "Saxon Princesses Sibylla, Emilia and Sidonia" by Lucas Cranach c. 1535 below.

Duchess Asa modeling the gown in the final fitting.

I really loved the beading on the relatively simple bodice. As this gown was designed for is a duchess, so I wanted to work strawberry leaves into the motif. I cut the black cotton velvet guards in the shape of the bodice. I used 4mm glass pearls spaced by 11/0 gold glass beads. The leaves are done in gold beads that resemble chopped up bugle beads. (Those beads have been in my supplies for ages). For the beading design, I chalked in a sine wave and then eyeballed the curlicues and the leaves. I used a backstitch to lay the beads (lay 6 beads, then back through the last three, then lay another 6). Then, I couched each bead to secure it. The result is very solid beading which will withstand the wear of being appliqued on clothing.

A close-up of the beading.

Next: The Sleeves

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