Kristin Roling

Kristin Roling's Portfolio

The Ever After 'Just Breathe' Gown

I totally repatterned the bodice, because the pattern uses a little inverted triangle insert at the "v" neck line, and I didn't like the way it broke the gracefull scoop of the original neckline.

I also noticed, when looking at the original, that the bodice really has 2 layers, a scoop neck under layer showing at the center, with the deep "v" neck vest on top.

From what I can tell, the sleeve fabric is attached to the underlayer, so the v neck overlayer is like a vest. These photos show the 2 layers, and the lace used on the underlayer.

Full length shot, the sleeves are merely pinned into the bodice so they aren't laying right just yet, and of course you'll notice the underskirt is missing- not constructed yet...raw edges everywhere

The beaded trim is actually a silver metallic trim from the late 1800's, early 1900's- I beaded the floral pattern onto it a few summers ago.

The beadwork took almost 100 hours to complete

Photo shows the detail of the scroll lace on the sleeve. Not exactly like the original, as I chose to use antique silk cording and bugle beads instead of bullion, but I think you can get the idea.

Tudor Gown

A tudor gown designed for a woman who attends our local Renaissance faire in Bristol Wisconsin. This photo shows the whole outfit. This gown is created with a new silk damask, and cotton velvet, but trimmed with antique laces and trims, dating as far back as 1880.

The same gown, showing the "hot day" option of removing the lower velvet sleeves, revealing the chemise underneath.

The woman for whom this gown was made attends pirate events as well, so this gown was designed to have a few options- including a few accesories for changing from a Tudor gown into a Pirate gown. The chemise is switched out for a shorter sleeved square neck chemise, the Tudor beads are removed and a false front of bows is added, and lastly, the split skirt ties back with rosettes

Back lacing and cartridge pleats in the skirt.

The jaquard leaf trim and scalloped metallic gold trim on the center front, along with the blue and gold braid trim are all over 100 years old.

Various Projects

A photo of a charcoal study sketch. This is my charcoal from Sargent's sketch of Mrs. Horace Webber, and is framed with antique laces and silk ribbons

My "Molly Brown" hat. The design was inspired by Rose's large crowned boarding hat in the film "Titanic". The polka dot ribbons and hat veiling are early 20th century.

A riding hat made with Victorian net lace, and silk tulle netting.


I totally repatterned the bodice, because the pattern uses a little inverted triangle insert at the "v" neck line, and I didn't like the way it broke the gracefull scoop of the original neckline.	I also noticed, when looking at the original, that the bodice really has 2 layers, a scoop neck under layer showing at the center, with the deep "v" neck vest on top.	From what I can tell, the sleeve fabric is attached to the underlayer, so the v neck overlayer is like a vest. These photos show the 2 layers, and the lace used on the underlayer.


Full length shot, the sleeves are merely pinned into the bodice so they aren't laying right just yet, and of course you'll notice the underskirt is missing- not constructed yet...raw edges everywhere	The beaded trim is actually a silver metallic trim from the late 1800's, early 1900's- I beaded the floral pattern onto it a few summers ago.	The beadwork took almost 100 hours to complete	Photo shows the detail of the scroll lace on the sleeve. Not exactly like the original, as I chose to use antique silk cording and bugle beads instead of bullion, but I think you can get the idea.


A tudor gown designed for a woman who attends our local Renaissance faire in Bristol Wisconsin. This photo shows the whole outfit. This gown is created with a new silk damask, and cotton velvet, but trimmed with antique laces and trims, dating as far back as 1880.	The same gown, showing the "hot day" option of removing the lower velvet sleeves, revealing the chemise underneath.	The woman for whom this gown was made attends pirate events as well, so this gown was designed to have a few options- including a few accesories for changing from a Tudor gown into a Pirate gown. The chemise is switched out for a shorter sleeved square neck chemise, the Tudor beads are removed and a false front of bows is added, and lastly, the split skirt ties back with rosettes


Back lacing and cartridge pleats in the skirt.	The jaquard leaf trim and scalloped metallic gold trim on the center front, along with the blue and gold braid trim are all over 100 years old.


A photo of a charcoal study sketch. This is my charcoal from Sargent's sketch of Mrs. Horace Webber, and is framed with antique laces and silk ribbons	My "Molly Brown" hat. The design was inspired by Rose's large crowned boarding hat in the film "Titanic". The polka dot ribbons and hat veiling are early 20th century.	A riding hat made with Victorian net lace, and silk tulle netting.