Nothing like a deadline

I have been thinking for a while, at least a year, that I want to make a dress and gown inspired by John Baptista van Uther's portrait of Margareta Leijonhufvud, queen of Sweden. Since she died in 1551 and he wasn't active in Sweden before 1562 this is in likelihood more a depiction of fashions at the swedish court in the early 1560s, though if you compare for example with the 1551 portrait of Anna Krell on pinkdiamond's site there are many similarities. I had some purplish red cotton velvet that I bought five years ago in London and in August I bought this fabric for borders and revers.

But thinking and doing is not the same thing and I've made quite a lot of other, modern, items of clothing (not to mention the burlesque outfits) instead of starting with it. But now, when I have decided to go to the Winter Games in March I have a deadline and it will get done!

The body pieces are now cut from the velvet, but I will have to plan a little to get the puffed sleeves, hanging sleeves and collar from the remaining fabric.

ETA: I know that the borders on her gown are embroidered, but I'm not that crazy.