Peacock embelishments

As mentioned in an earlier post, I'd wanted to do the peacocks facing each other. To this end I worked up a design to be stamped on white lawn - a fine white cotton that is fun to work with regards dying, cutting, assembling and general maintenance. The stuff is very tolerant and well behaved. For period Indian personas it seems to be a good choice for the more exclusive cotton textiles which are so hard to obtain these days on the Western market.

In this conceptual thumbnail I am combining the decorative elements found in menswear circa the 1570's in India with some features in woven goods dating from the 15thC and traditional motifs, constant in their textile designs over the centuries. Personally I love the negative shapes around the peacocks when facing back to back and face to face. This is a tough struggle, follow the period guidelines of extent textiles or make something creative for myself? Perhaps the solution is a compromise? One version for fun and worn as such in appropriate conditions and another that follows the reason why I research and play in a reenactment area.

The design is for an exercise in turban embellishment. This area is the pallu end, technically both ends are embellished in turbans where the end is intended to be visible once wrapped. I am considering a simple red dye or paint job on stark white fabric. Simple, clean and graphic.

While the original design is only for one row of peacocks, I believe that I will enlarge on the idea and repeat several rows of them combined with the pyramid shapes and incorporating zig zags. In the ensuing weeks I will be working up both the overall design and the various elements individually. Once that part is done it'll be time to do a test sample of fabric.

This way I'll be able to control the final design.