Byzantine 3/4 Mantle

Fashion & Wearables Completed Projects
1

My Byzantine-influenced mantle is now finally complete. Just put the inset buttons on it. Whew!

The collar has 7 layers, including 2 of flat-felled hair canvas that I pad stitched to make sure the collar stayed upright and smooth. It has 4 yokes on the back of the collar to handle the weight of all the zardozi metal pieces. I offset the 1st yoke (covered by the other fabric on it) because I have scoliosis. Then used a wedge and bridge technique to make sure the offset didn’t move.

1. Finished Mantle
1. Finished Mantle1920×2560 1.87 MB

Collar b
Collar b1920×2560 1.41 MB

Second layer of linen with the double yoke pick-stitched on

Collar 2
Collar 21920×2560 1.33 MB

Collar 1
Collar 11920×2560 1.51 MB

There are almost 400 pieces of zardozi appliques on it. If i took off all the trim, and laid it end-to-end, it would span an American football field.

I know it doesn’t look like it when it’s hanging on the dress form, but the bottom hem is about 14.5 feet long.

Byzantine mantle w buttons spread out side
Byzantine mantle w buttons spread out side1920×2560 1.25 MB

Started it the last week in May and didn’t sew on it for only 12 days. I have probably around 250 hours in it.

I used no pattern and no measuring tapes, just somatic measurments, such as the lenght of a finger or the width of a hand.

I used couture ‘rules’: structural = machine sewn, non-structural = hand sewn.

Note: It’s not yet pressed.

4. Finished Buttons Down
4. Finished Buttons Down960×1280 449 KB

4. Finished Button Jeweled
4. Finished Button Jeweled1920×2560 1.92 MB

3. Finished Buttons Back
3. Finished Buttons Back960×1280 440 KB

2. Finished - Back
2. Finished - Back1920×2560 1.41 MB

1. Finished Mantle
1. Finished Mantle1920×2560 1.87 MB

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I’m just sitting here with my mouth agape! AMAZING!

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Wow! That’s beautiful.

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I am stunned by the amount of needlework in this piece. It is just gorgeous…the color, the construction, the trim, the embroidery…you must be so proud of this beautiful project.

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That is incredible! So much detail and work went into this truly stunning garment.

Quick suggestion - the image you put first in your post is the one that shows as the thumbnail for the site (the first thing people see for your post). If you copy one of the completed mantle pictures to the top of your post that full gorgeousness will be on display and enticing people to click so they can read more.

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Thanks for the advice and I got that fixed. :hugs:

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Holy COW. I don’t know what to say but just wow. It’s so beautiful. You’re so talented!

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This is absolutely gorgeous! Wonderful work.

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Beyond amazing! SO MUCH WORK! And gorgeous!!

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Glorious!!! :heart_eyes:

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:jack_o_lantern: :ghost: :woman_zombie: Congratulations! Your Byzantine ¾ Mantle is a Featured Project this week! :jack_o_lantern: :ghost: :woman_zombie:

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That’s amazing!
Great job!

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Wow! :astonished_face:

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That is extraordinary!!!

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Oh my word, that’s truly amazing!

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How absolutely gorgeous!

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