Yes, I know I just posted, BUT...

I wanted to gush about my toddler interpretations of period clothes. I'm not a mom, but I am an aunt. I spend countless hours with the girls (14 m/o twins!) and have always wanted to make them some garb just to see what period construction can do for ease of wear in kid's clothes. I've often thought modern clothes far too "cookie" cutter and unable to adapt to the wide range of shapes and sizes in kids and adults.

On eBay, at least, it's very hard to find simple, sturdy children's SCA garb that doesn't look like bargain bin junk. It is *especially* difficult to find garb that is cut to allow for expansion--which I suspect would have been a period practice, though I don't have hard proof. It's also hard to find children's garb that looks fairly authentic.

So I measured Boo Boo and Moo Moo (identities concealed with my nicknames for them) last week to see what I could mock up. I did three separate patterns from one mock of the same cut.

First of all, I worked on a girls t-tunic that was layerable and with extra seam allowance to let out (or take in) as they grow out and up. They currently wear 18 m/o and 24 m/o commercial clothing. I added an extra 3 3/4 inches to the hem, 4 inches to each front and back panel horizontally so that almost 8 inches can be taken out around the chest and waist. The hem will fall just below the knees.

Next, I made a simple coat that could pass through Byzantium to the Levant to the Mongolian steppes. I'm leaving everything plain so the new owner can add what he/she likes for the period they prefer. I left out the gores, but I cut them and am including them when I send them in case someone wants to add them in.

Lastly, I made a really simple peplos for the little female Celts/Romans/Greeks out there. When I decide on a male pattern for trousers and leg wraps that will fit diapers, I'll market them with the t-tunics for the Celt/Viking boys.

For the future of the line:

I also made a simple coif pattern based on my own. It's 16th century based (3 piece), but I'm going to do a pre-16th C. 2 piece pattern for the real authenticists (like me) out there. I'd also like to do a liripipe hood and a hood-less cape. I'm also a little bit interested in a simple middle class Flemish from the Tudor era.

I'm definitely investigating making basic muslin chemises in two styles: square neck with finished wrist cuffs for the later period, and regular round neck with open wrists for the earlier period tunics and peplos.

Any more ideas, leave them in the comments!



So hopefully, I'll have about 8 samples for sale (and pictures for an update here) on eBay by this weekend. I offer special free pickup for SCAdians who are attending the same events as me, so take a look and let me know if you're in the area and I can deliver at the event.

Yours in Service to The Dream,
Gillian

Travelling Forward in Time to the Tudors Again

So any of the five of you that have stumbled upon my humble little site may remember my attempt at creating a class on Tudor middle class garb for Pennsic 36.

Infamously titled "Beyond the Wench", this class was based on my interpretations of some Flemish middle class Tudor-contemporary paintings by Breughel and sketches by Holbein, the book "The Tudor Tailor" by Ninya Mikhaila and Jane Malcolm-Davies, and "Tailor's Pattern Book 1589" by Juan De Alcega for period patterning tips and sewing instructions.

Both books are excellent resources. Alcega's book can be had for $105.00 on Amazon.com, but check your local Inter Library Loan for a copy. Michigan has MelCat and this book is available through this system if your library is connected to MelCat (most MI libraries are). Mikhaila's book is about $40.00, but buying directly from them is better for everyone. You'll pay a little more in shipping, but they can continue their work by taking in a larger profit.

I have been asked to present the class with the completed garments at the end of April for Squire's Revolt (which is to have a Tudor/Elizabethan theme this year). Now you may also remember that this era is not my especial favorite, but something about these Flemish styles speak to me as a female and a medieval re-creator. They can *easily* be styled up or down to change classes. Different sleeves can remake the entire gown. One can really go hog wild with trims and beads and pearls.

Here's a very simplified, broken down version of the kirtle and gown I'm attempting. My version is closer to the cutting layout of "Tudor Tailor" and "Pattern Book".

My chemise is already completed (uh, well minus finishing the hem [you're surprised?] and neckhole), and is of white cotton muslin. I normally use unbleached muslin for my earlier period chemises because (for me) it represents the less refined aspects of medieval clothing.

So keep an eye on this blog for more updates. I have 3 major projects going right now, and several smaller ones in the works.

Also, I'm experimenting with a toddler line of basic t-tunics, early period peplos, and Persian coats that will go on eBay next weekend hopefully.

Black and White Pennsic Pictures

Finally, as promised:




































These were taken over two days during the castle and field battles. This year, I'll be fighting instead of watching.

Take into account that I did not have any glasses, so I couldn't focus my camera and refuse to use my SLR on auto-focus.