11 a
11. Separate horns, 15th century
a. Broader style, c.1430
b. Late style, c.1470.
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20 cm
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Scalę up one of these patterns, or plan your own, and try it out in stiff paper first. The shape of the inner edge, which fits over the head, is as important as the curve of the outer edge. The horns should be stiff enough to retain their shape, even if the wearer doesn’t have plaits.
Cut out the pattern (x4) in buckram. Cover them with the outer materiał and linę them, remembering to make left and right shapes (Methods, Fig 13).
Add any decoration. Sew each back and front together round the outer edge and bind the open edges with velvet ribbon (Methods, Fig 9).
To wear the horns, tie a velvet fillet (Fig 12) round the head and pin any plaits to it where they can support and fili out the horns. Open out the horns over the plaits, pinning the edges to the fillet. Drape a fine linen veil over the horns, draw it back between them and pin it discreetly in place.
12. Black loop and velvet fillet, mid 15th century on
A black loop at the centre forehead appears on many head-dresses at this time. It was probably attached to a velvet fillet worn beneath the other parts of the head-dress. It could have been there to puli the fillet into place if it started to slip, or may have been an ornament to set off the fashionable high forehead.
This fillet is similar to Fig 3 in Linen head-dresses, but madę of black velvet cut on the bias, with a loop of velvet or ribbon sewn to the centre.
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