A pair of bodies

I finished another part of my new 17th century outfit-a corset or pair of bodies based on a survived example worn by Pfaltzgrafin Dorothea Sabine von Neuberg.
I used ivory satin for cover, strong linen for two layers of interlining and fine white linen for lining. All stitching are in linen (originally the rows of stitching formed the casting were in silk). The stiffening is made from a bunches of bents (9-11 reeds per casting).

The raw edges on the waist, armholes and neckline are bound with a strip of bias-cut satin instead of heavy silk ribbon. The lacing is at the center back (so unfortunatelly I need a helping hands to wear it) and the eyelet holes are worked over brass rings for reinforcement.

First time I used bunches of reeds for stifftening (usually I worked with plastic boning or cords) so I worried about durability and flexibility of construction but finnished corset works great.

My new "pair of bodies" with drawers.

Spanish influences

For few days me and my friend are talking about spanish historic food. We are looking really old recipes and infos about ingriedeiences which were used in 16th and 17th century in Europe and especially in Spain. Yesterday I found "Manual de mugeres en el qual se contienen muchas y diversas reçeutas muy buenas" from 16th c. translated from Spanish into English here.
I promise my friend to prepare a dish from "Manual de mugeres" named Cazuela de arroz ("Rice casserole"). We looked for quite simple dish, easy to prepare it in a small field kitchen in the garden of the castle. I think it will be OK for an elegant birthday feast dinner for a merry company of friends ( it's not a pretty thing but very tasty).