I'm still pondering Fancy Event Garb, for the eventual production of pictures to talk over.  A and I really need to resolve some sort of approach.  As he's way ahead of me in simple accumulation, I'm concentrating on myself at present. Who would know about non-Viking-apron clothing for early period northwestern Europe? I've been looking at the Book of Kells, and they all seem to be wearing leines and brats, as described by this site: "The léine (pronounced /lay'-nuh/) in early Ireland in early depictions (between 5th and 12th century CE) is a long smock-like garment made of linen, not … Continue reading Northern Europe non-apron garb question

Yesterday I finished the new linen/cotton blend shift – I went rather nuts with decorative flat-felling on all the seams…red binkies *everywhere*.   It's ostensibly for under the chestnut Tudor kirtle, though I don't think that flat-felled embroiderish running stitch is very Tudor.  However, it looks nice, and since I must spoil myself with beautiful underwear *always*, and am not particularly interested in late period, that's that.  I can certainly wear it under the teal Gothic kirtle too.  We shall see if it's any more comfortable than the all-cotton one, or the all-linen one. The chestnut Tudor kirtle still needs tabs … Continue reading Why yes, I handsew most of my garb…

I’ve updated my 14th c European page with the latest pics from Gulf Wars, but here’s some others showing my teal linen fitted kirtle. Here’s what I looked like at Saltare: I know, it’s dark and I’m standing funny. UPDATE: Well, I hope this is better.  I need more modeling practice, clearly.   Composite parts:  White cotton t-tunic shift.  Blue linen versatile gown based on patterning from Cotte Simple, cut 6" long in back to ‘puddle’.   Machine sewing on long internal seams; handsewn eyelets (with fabric’s thread); handsewn silk facing, dyed to match, with fabric’s thread; linen hem facing handsewn … Continue reading Versatile gown, other images and self-criticism

The following is excerpted from my response to an email question from a sewing pal.  The context is that age-old question:  When constructing a supportive cote (Gothic Fitted Dress, Versatile Dress), should it be lined? My reading says that we don’t have extant ones that are lined.  We have illustrations of ones with another color on the inside, but there’s a popular medieval fabric weave (iridescent twill) that is one color on each side, so that could be that answer. My answer is ‘do what works’.  My blue linen cote isn’t; but my figure is very different from other ladies … Continue reading To Line or Not To Line?

I’m starting a new service/arts project.  Over the past year I’ve been given lots of fabric and other materials, much more than I can use.  At the same time, I’ve been noticing that many of my male friends are becoming dedicated fighters, but feel they can’t go to events because they lack garb.  Finally, I’d like to learn more about clothing types than I care to wear (or make Daan wear). Four birds with one stone:  I will make garb, both out of my materials, any more materials that are donated, or Guys’ client materials in exchange for kit stuff … Continue reading Introducing Greet’s Guy’s Garb!!!

I’ve done the least amount of work on this persona, even though my name comes from 15thC Flanders, and that’s where I (nearly) started.  I keep a set of garb in this timeperiod purely for dancing demonstrations for the public, when it would be confusing to have a Bronze Age chick doing the Black Nag. I currently wear, in pursuit of a working class impression: GARB PICS Smocked shift Wooden sabots Wool kirtle with plain apron, matching tie-on sleeves Lace-trimmed cap SOURCE PICS Originally based on the following pictures: Particularly: The patterns from:A Tudor TailorDrea LeedEva Andersson’s Dress Diary GEAR … Continue reading Persona: Renaissance Flemish working class