Month: October 2007

Uncategorized2 Comments

Historic Enterprises

Greet Gijsberts

(x-posted on PG list)How did I not find this site before? (Everyone else probably knows it.) For the newbies like me, who want to have more historically accurate garb… www.historicenterprises.com sells readymade garb and accessories, but I think their real value is as a research reference. You will see photos of real people in reproductions of extant pieces, down to the underwear, WITH REFERENCES. The pages on colors appropriate to various classes and times/places, with explanations of how those colors are made, are nearly all that I could want. Ditto the fabric pages. (As a fiber geek, that’s saying something.) … Continue reading Historic Enterprises

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Smocked linen apron

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Here we have the beginnings of my smocked apron, a la Luttrell Psalter. I’m using heavy natural colored linen, cut to 28" wide.  Why? Because I’m following the conventional wisdom (cringe) that household looms  in the 14th century were fairly narrow, ~30". (Anybody got a citation for this one?  Ann?) I question that ALL looms in the 14th c were narrow.  Or that some fabrics produced on narrowish looms were not double-woven to be twice as wide.  But I am yielding to the CW on this one out of expediency, and because the illustration in Luttrell seems to be a … Continue reading Smocked linen apron

Events, Research3 Comments

Back from Gatalop!

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I had a wonderful time, and took not one useful picture, except three bad twilight ones of Gefroi, getting his AoA.  (Gefroi, if you’re reading this, I’ll get those to you this week.)  I am a bad blogger. However, I know ones were taken of me, so hopefully Gail (sp?) and Alicia will share.  It was a fabulous sunny and windy day, so they should be pretty. (Though of course, I flouted the sunscreen and paid handsomely for my foolishness with a red face.  I’ve got to get in the habit of putting some on everyday, no matter what.) Staying … Continue reading Back from Gatalop!

Clothing and Equipment1 Comment

Beginner’s semicircular mantle

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I seem to be in a moon of ‘work smart, not hard.’  How odd for me. I’m worried about freezing in the wind at Gatalop.  I have started the Treble Fib Shawl in order to address cold weather, but there’s no way I’m going to finish by Friday, and I don’t want to rush.  So I remembered that I’d discussed making a semicircular mantle to go with the 1350 Gothic Fitted Dress, per Lyonet’s suggestion, and decided to see what I could find. Fortunately, Joann puts fabric on sale for Halloween, and I came home with 3.5 yards of 59" … Continue reading Beginner’s semicircular mantle

Clothing and Equipment, EventsLeave a comment

Panhandle Skirmishes

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Mom and I went to Panhandle Skirmishes, which is hosted by the Barony of Oldenfeld.  Mom borrowed my new Viking garb.  She likes to call herself the Viking Crone. (The Viking Crone takes the WonderPooch out for a bathroom.) Her garb was complimented several times, particularly after she figured out how to make my husband’s country western belt buckles work as Viking brooches.  They’re sized perfectly, and were also complimented.  Hee. Panhandle was interesting – lots of good fighting, though I didn’t watch much.  I did admire some helmet brushes, and thought Theadora was adorable as the World’s Smallest Archer.  … Continue reading Panhandle Skirmishes

Events2 Comments

A couple fewer projects…

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I’m not even going to summarize where the UFOs (unfinished objects) stand these days, it’s so demoralizing. But I made the list a little shorter tonight, by shopping my way out of a creative need.  Joann’s has some luggage that the store sells as sewing machine luggage. (Who knew?  My sewing machine has a lovely handle, and hard case, and lugs around quite nicely as is.  I guess these are intended for those who don’t do their daily pushups.) These are the solution to the SoftTrunk project.  I know, I know, I was going to MAKE something, and something flyable, … Continue reading A couple fewer projects…

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Linen class: ‘Seed to Shirt’ – notes done!

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Whew!  You know, it’s one thing to mosey around the Web, collecting sites and bookmarks, and it’s quite another to sculpt and mash them all together into a cohesive presentation. I am too old (just barely) to have used Powerpoint in school – but gosh darn it’s handy.  I’ve now got ~20 slides with ~25 illustrations, a gracious plenty of side notes, a list of Stuff To Bring and Show in Person, a nice bibliography with most books available in the paper.  I think I’m ready. Download linen_seed_to_shirt.ppt . Continue reading Linen class: ‘Seed to Shirt’ – notes done!

Events1 Comment

A&S Summary, third quarter 2007

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Acquired 4-harness treadled loom and learned how to operate Researched double-weaving in period Researched meanings and prevalence of stripe patterns in period Began a double-woven striped shawl Carded and spun more wool for shawl project with antique spinning wheel Researched natural dyes using found materials – goldenrod, acorn ink, mushroom dyes Gathered and stored materials for dyes Acquired copy of Frances Pritchard’s "Clothing Culture: Egyptian Textiles of the First Millennium" Began researching Coptic weaving techniques Volunteered to teach class at Gatalop: "Linen: Seed to Shirt" Researched and assembled class notes (20 powerpoint slides, ~25 illustrations, 6 sources) Acquired and read … Continue reading A&S Summary, third quarter 2007

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Getting ready for Gatalop

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New cot! (Mem says that it’s his turn for blog fame now that Squeek is famous.) (Of course, Squeek tried out the cot first, and had a blast pouncing on my fingers tapping from underneath.  Mem doesn’t fall for these games; he’ll watch and watch and watch…and then chomp your shoulder.) I need a cot for Gatalop, because I’m sleeping in the bastion, and apparently there are crabs. Fort Gaines is an island off the coast of Mobile, Alabama.  I have heard it can be cold and windy, or hot and muggy, but definitely crabby.  I have my wooden shoes, … Continue reading Getting ready for Gatalop