Making some serious progress on the Egyptian sock. After a few stops and starts, I was able to turn the heel and start increases to fit over my calves. Spindley legs do NOT run in our family.
My pattern that I created based on looking at the extant piece was very close to the pattern from Ellen Perlman that I was referred to. However, while my first attempt was a top-down, this was a toe-up sock, which I had never tried before. She recommended using Judy's Magic Cast On method for toe-up socks, which was taught at Sock Summit, and the directions can be found on www.knitty.com, so I had to try that! I followed the directions and after a few attempts, got it to look like the photos. Success! 
Changes I will still make from this mock-up: 
I will probably add another gore in the center back for MORE fullness across the tooshie.I pulled out some heavy weight linen and some medium weight cotton...though I'm thinking that the linen is *too* heavy. Maybe I'll just use the muslin after all for this first go-around.
The width, according to the directions, should be 45" wide, right off the bolt. The first pair I made for Kelly seemed WAAAY too big, so I reduced it by 10"--so each piece is 35" wide, folded in half.
Sew the gussets onto either side of each leg, then fold right sides together for each leg and sew down the triangular gussets to the ankle. Then turn one leg right-side out, insert into the other, line up the seams and sew the crotch together. Make a casing for the waistband, put in a drawstring or elastic, and PRESTO!
Hey, do these Salwar make my butt look big?
The next challenge is this coat. I did a bunch of measuring, doodled the cutting layout, measured some more, scratched my head, mumbled curses under my breath, and eventually started cutting...into muslin of course! I have all the pieces cut out and will make a prototype tomorrow. 
If all goes well, I'll take the muslin ziri qaba apart, note all the measurements, and use those parts as a pattern on the chocolate stripe fabric. HL Donwenna wrote from Afghanistan and offered to find me a scarf to go with it. I'm thinking yellow--like a butterscotch gold.
Part one of the Middle Eastern garb ... the 'kamis' or 'pirihan', aka Chemise, aka Shirt! This is the dress that will be worn under the other layers. It's supposed to be a lighter weight cotton fabric; more sheer than what I used, but this muslin is what I had on hand and what I usually use for testing out patterns. Clearly, I haven't finished the seams and the middle section was cut several inches too long--whoops. This isn't intended to go to the floor, but that's how I measured it. I'll have to trim it back then measure the actual length so I can cut it correctly next time. Very interesting construction--all rectangles except the bits trimmed off the ends of the sleeves, which are sewn into the tops of the sleeves by the armpits. Creative...
I copied this from an extant 14th century Persian pirihan. While it's beautifully preserved, the neckline is unfinished, so I am unsure how to proceed with finishing mine. Sir John Chardin, b. 1643, travelled to the Middle East and wrote extensively on his observations of clothing and textiles, said that this type of undergarment would have been "open to the navel" on women, but closed with a little button at the hollow of the neck. I suppose that would make for very easy & convenient breast feeding.
Socks, British Isles, 1550-1559 - complete with fingerloop braided garters.
Tunic, Scandinavia, 1200-1399Donations to Largesse
