Things I’ve made
For those who know what I'm lately up to… On the left, the original, purple wool on linen. The part I copied is in the green box. On the right, my first attempt, also wool on linen. There will be more – I like this stuff. Continue reading Attempt 1
Above-the-knee linen hose. Made of the same stuff as my smocked apron. I haven’t finished the top edge yet – not sure how and where to cut them off. I’ll probably work on it at Saltare, where I plan to wear them. A quick recap of 14thc garb, linen version: Hair – Sewn-up doubled plaits, as in AOTC listpic. CHECK.Shift – Still wearing my very first ‘made from a diagram not a pattern’ cotton shift. Must replace soon with a linen version that has a smooth hemline. But daggy hemline doesn’t show.Hose – Almost CHECK.Shoes – CHECK.Pattens – Still to … Continue reading Linen hose
I’m getting ready for Saltare, and using the event as a deadline for some new accessories. This here is a new drawstring pouch, which is more appropriate for my 14thc versatile gown than my leather pouch. (Also the leather pouch won’t work on the dainty loveliness that is my apprentice belt. I think the leather pouch has been Overcome by Events, and didn’t even last a year. Oh well.) I used the wool bits I got out of that thrifted men’s wool blazer (remember my detachable sleeves?) and some blue wool/silk embroidery floss that I originally thought I might use … Continue reading Spliced cord
Just a quick post to sum up what I managed to do over the holidays. (Note to self: Close office from Dec 24 to Jan 1. Just give in.) Added about 20" to my weaving project. This brings the total to 51" woven so far. I warped on 5.5 yards, so there’s a LONG way to go. 20" represents 1 day’s spinning, which yielded 8 plied bobbins of semi-worsted yarn. (Carded, not combed…but I haven’t figured out how to ‘spin woolen’ versus ‘spin worsted’. I think I’m probably spinning worsted.) Bluebonnet gown is wearable. Yes, I want to see a … Continue reading Holiday wrap
This is a little collection of tricks I’m learning as I do mine and my husband’s cotes. I’ll probably be adding to it as we go along. Fabric needed for Greet’s versatile gown: 5 yards, 60" wide.Fabric needed for Daan’s cote: 2 yards, 60" wide. FITTING SOMEONE ELSE, MALE Pin the four panels on them, starting with the shoulders, and overlapping Enough at the center. You might need a gore at the center back (Daan needs a back gore 12" wide at hem). After the whole thing is pinned, use chalk (I like schoolboard chalk better than tailor’s) to draw … Continue reading Fitted cotehardie tricks
Look what’s coming along… (You knew I couldn’t stay away from my kit for very long, right?) Hey, it’s even better than this…the sleeves are jointed and set in! I’m taking the whole thing to Project Night tomorrow – hopefully someone will trim the points off the gore hems, which will make walking MUCH easier. I’m discovering I know how to walk in a train already – those ballet steps! Ronde de jamb and tomber work quite well (I’m sure I’m not spelling them correctly) to kick the baby train out of the way so I can change direction. This … Continue reading Bluebonnet basted!
Finally got a basic pattern, a piece of time, and my husband in the same place. So this weekend we got a chausse sloper made. Now I can figure out what pieces of fabric to use. (It’s clear from our fitting exercise that I will have to fit the actual leg fabric also – but I’ll do the braies first so he can be wearing those. I’m using the La Fleur de Lyse pattern you can buy here for a basic starting point. However, I notice several things: The hose leg was just about perfect for Daan right off the … Continue reading Chausses for Daan
As I still don’t have my own copy of Textiles & Clothing, by Crowfoot, Pritchard, et al, I have a quick question: Should the cardwoven edge I’m planning for both the neckline and the lacing edge of the bluebonnet be of wool or linen? I currently have on borrow the color card from Rainbow Linen, so I can order any of these colors – my preference is to match as close as possible, but perhaps that’s erroneous? I will use drawn threads for the seamwork, eyelets and buttonholes*, I think, but for cardweaving I’ll need longer threads and the strength … Continue reading Quick question – neckline
Okay – this is just an update, since I’m not prepared with pics and such. But I have been sewing, and I wanted to let you know my progress. Bathhouse Keepers Shift – I wore it around the house for a good deal of yesterday. The shift is machine basted, and fitted properly around my torso. It supports my chest well enough, and the straps have an interesting side benefit of keeping my shoulders back where they should be. I have learned something important about the eyelets I showed here. I don’t like them. While threading a metal tipped lace … Continue reading Update on GFD stuff
I sent a very small flock of sheep off to Castle Wars, for the Mutton Mayhem game. I hope they have fun. Continue reading Silly sheep