Merchant’s Row, with only a few people shopping.
I’m a little embarrassed about how much shopping I did. But hey, I’m a newbie, and I NEED stuff, right? And since I’m also a polymath (new word, mom! there’s a bunch of us in the SCA!) I need lots of different kinds of stuff to help all the things I do. So here’s the result of the pillaging (of my bank account!).
Heavy-duty, wide-brimmed felt hat in light color, with crown big enough for my big head plus my very thick braids wound around it. Yes, mom, it is the LARGEST size. But it should assist the sunblock, and will look very nice pinned up for rapier stuff. $18
Over-the-knee rapier boots, black pigskin. Very dashing. Also a good price. $80
Linen yardage – Handkerchief weight, $5/yard, in terracotta and olive. I’ll do short undertunics out of these, that I can wear in mundane life. When Daan saw the pieces, he commented "I like linen shirts." Humph! wish I’d known that, though perhaps it’s best for the budget if I didn’t – perhaps we can share. $40
Cloak pin, bronze. Will also pin up the hat, or close one of my wraps in mundane evening wear. $7
Glass inkwell. $8
Pigments for tempera paints and instructional booklet $4
Christmas presents for cousins/nieces/nephews/mom – $mumbledy
Leather remnant for Daan’s watch cover $1 (I need to jump on this vendor next time and get more for shoes and what-all)
Brackets for tent shelves and clothes rod $30 I’m going to copy more of these.
Silk veil (more medieval sunblock, mom! Just don’t hug me.) $12 is cheap considering it’s a perfect oval and is already hemmed.
Gorgeous trim to improve my green dress, and to make a trimmy belt (It has a detail from the Bayeux Tapestry on it) $21
T-shirt for myself with illustration from a book of hours $18
I think I did pretty darn well, actually. I looked at the schlagers (type of sword), but haven’t yet seen anything I want to pay ~300 for yet. I need to get some foil time in first, definitely.
Linen & Silk:
fabrics-store dot com has linen & occasionally wool for good prices, and will send swatches. dharmatrading dot com has silk of verious types, some hemmed lengths for veils/scarves; also (modern) dyes and other stuff catering to the “make your own natural fiber clothes” crowd.
If you are willing to spend ~$300 for a rapier, look at Darkwood Armory. They have some beautiful swords. I would also suggest if you have the extra money to afford it, go for a Del Tin over a schlager. They are a more period blade and feel, which makes a difference.
Just remember that what you might learn at a fencing club with a foil is going to be different than what you can do in the SCA. Meridies is a “heavy rapier only” kingdom. No foils or sabres, only schlagers, Del Tins, hanweis, etc. For a list of approved blades, look on the Meridies page under rapier, and follow the link to the rules. And SCA style vs modern rapier, you can also move in a circle instead of a straight line, you can use your off-hand to parry or grasp your opponent’s blade, and the entire body is a target.