Adventures in Garb

Good News Everyone!

2011-02-21T21:44:00.000-05:00

Well, they bushwacked me again and hit me with a Purple Fret at Val Day two weekends ago. I'm proud of myself, but still find myself a bit of a fraud. I would not have recommended me for that award, but it seems I deserved it. I really do just play this game to have fun and play dress-up and buy wool. Any subsequent volunteering is really only a means to a wooly end... My giant, red, wooly

Did you know that we're eligible for a 10% discount at Joann's?

2010-07-18T14:53:00.004-04:00

SCA, Inc. members are eligible to apply for a 10% in-store discount card at Joann Fabric and Craft Stores!To apply, first make sure your membership in SCA, Inc is current. If you are a non-member SCAdian, you do not qualify. You must keep your membership current to maintain your discount card. You can maintain, update, or apply for SCA, Inc membership here.Next, print off a copy of SCA, Inc's

"Thinking About Female Images in Viking Art" by Cathy Raymond

2010-07-16T10:34:00.003-04:00

Cathy's blog is here.This is the post I'm reading and pondering right now.Just a few thoughts on apronsSo here's something to think about. In the post comments, a poster writes that the Anglo Saxons and Franks weren't known to wear aprons (at least in any extant finds or contemporary artwork). However, in Viking Age Norse art there are quite a few images that suggest (in a very stylized way)

Theories of cultural transmission before the Silk Road between Europe & Asia may pan out?

2010-07-10T12:07:00.004-04:00

Before the Silk Road cultures!?!I happened across the "Trollen Braid" controversy on the Norsefolk Yahoo! list and was intrigued, so I did a little Google digging. I'll state beforehand that this isn't conclusive research (or even very professional at that) and to please not be spreading this around as fact. However, you could use it to warn people away from claiming that Trollen Braiding Wheels

Where the heck have I been?

2010-06-19T13:13:00.006-04:00

Well, I'll tell you I've been incredibly busy and life has been happening and etc, etc.Besides having a writing habit that goes in spurts, I've been trying to cope with the Michigan economy and the very nonexistent job prospects here. So, I started my own business as a seamstress doing alterations and making soft goods, costumes, and clothing for commission clients. That line of occupation is

New Tunic

2009-03-06T13:51:00.005-05:00

So I'm making a linen tunic. Basic, t-tunic with embroidery on the seams and on the cuffs and hems.Here are some pictures of the yet-to-be-completed project.I really want a dress form. The next big sewing purchase I make will be a freaking professional dress form. There's no life to a garment without it._uacct = "UA-2210303-1";urchinTracker();

Interesting developments

2009-01-24T22:26:00.009-05:00

So I'm thinking of taking a huge step.I want to make and sell some garb. On Etsy.Not a lot. Just a few pieces. Test the waters, if you like.I find there's a dearth of reproduction/recreation/accurate-in-any-sense-of-the-word clothing for the SCA or even for LARPers and Rennies. I want to develop a few basic cotes, kirtles, hoods, and body linens with the basic Nockert types found at this site

Lady Gillian de Chelseye

2008-08-18T13:52:00.002-04:00

At Midrealm's Pennsic court, I was awarded my Award of Arms (AoA) and can now call myself either Lady Gillian de Chelseye, or Gillian de Chelseye, AoA. My friends conspired to make a proper lady of me and I certainly was surprised. I nearly fell off my bench and had to be escorted to the dais by my clan brother Berach. Lady Maeve Dianotto inscribed my scroll, and a view of her magnificent work

Much to my surprise...a t-tunic!

2008-06-24T21:14:00.006-04:00

Well, I thought I had several more hours of work to go on Anne's t-tunic. Surprise, surprise, it's done in under 2 hours and just needs hemming and the collar finished. And that's hand work anyway. I might use a contrasting seam binding for the collar. Pretty it up.So, here it is, just in time for Pennsic. (And that means I can cut the second kirtle tomorrow at work). The color is a little

15th century kirtle

2008-06-24T17:58:00.007-04:00

I finished Anne's first kirtle today at work. The last thing I have to do is cover the grommet holes with embroidery floss. Normally I would hand-bind the eyelets, but this is the quick and dirty way. It'll look nice with the floss over it though. And she'll have to find something to lace it with (lucet cording works well), because all I have is a safety pin to hold it together at this

News and Notes

2008-06-12T11:08:00.006-04:00

Well, it's a good thing I haven't had much SCA news to post lately, as I've had plenty of mundane accidents and emergencies to deal with. The most exciting (and problematic) of those was the tree that fell on my house. Needless to say this put a speedbump in my roadway to Pennsic projects.Speaking of Pennsic projects and fast approaching deadlines related to said projects, I've made another list

A little off-topic, but I found this fascinating

2008-04-23T11:26:00.001-04:00

Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer From Ms. Frizzle's blog:Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaerin waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng istaht the frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pclae. The rset canbe a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs isbcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter

Someday tent project

2008-03-28T10:17:00.000-04:00

I want to build the tent with the pine branches and the wooden door on it in this picture from the Romance of Alexander (Bodley 264), c. 1338-44.*sigh* So many projects, so little time.I've been working really sporadically, but still furiously on my Flemish kit. More updates on my Flemish blog.Yours in Service to The Dream,Gillian(Gille? Gill? Giles? <--That's my name when I'm in armour.) _

Tablet weave garters

2008-03-06T13:34:00.000-05:00

So I'm currently dabbling in tablet weaving and I think I'm making garters for my hosen. I'd also like to make another pair of hosen with the wool scraps from my new wool. The garters will be dark blue, teal-ish blue, and orange wool/silk. I've been using cotton scraps for garters up to now. I'm just having a problem sitting down and finishing my tablet weaving. It makes my back hurt. Maybe

Research is so much easier with the internet.

2008-03-05T14:45:00.000-05:00

I'm pretty sure that my generation will never pick up a book from the library again unless they go for Master's degrees or PhD's. I love the ease of the internet, the ability to cut and paste and bring multiple sources together in seconds. I feel like the people who went to college just ten years ago were left out of this information access. Internet research will dominate the academic world

13th-14th century drawstring pouches with stamped designs

2008-03-04T11:21:00.014-05:00

Ever since I checked out that textile book last summer, I've had it in my head to create a stamped fabric creation of some sort. After much mulling over and hopeful thinking and studying of shapes and designs, I've finally decided to do some test samples. At first they will be very simple: a Fleur-de-li and a three-cornered Celtic knot. But I hope to move onto some of the garland and flowery

A good answer to someone's question on SCA-Garb Yahoo Group

2008-03-04T09:52:00.005-05:00

This question was asked by a new fighter's mother on SCA-Garb Yahoo Group that I belong to. I was impressed with my answer--that sounds self-involved, doesn't it? Anyway, I thought it was a good solution to her problem, so read on.I'm not sure where else to ask this question.My son is now an authorized fighter, as of last weekend. Of course, nothing will do but that he LOOK splendid. Problem

Persona Identity Crisis

2008-03-03T13:59:00.005-05:00

So I know I'm not the only one who changes or wants to change or has changed their persona, but I'm in a real pickle here. I've got eighteen thousand projects in various stages of development currently and they all seem to be from different eras and places. It really puts me in a bind as to who Gillian wants to be within the Society and what Melissa wants to spend her mundane time doing.

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

2008-02-20T13:30:00.008-05:00

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

Travelling Forward in Time to the Tudors Again

2008-02-20T11:22:00.002-05:00

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

Black and White Pennsic Pictures

2008-02-01T18:03:00.001-05:00

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.

New year, new gown

2008-01-25T13:35:00.000-05:00

Oh what I naughty girl I am for not posting about my new gown. Not only that, but I have no pictures yet and I didn't finish my chemise to go with it, I haven't hemmed it or the surcote that goes with it, it's not in the century I had researched, and it has to be completely finished by February 9th for Val Day. ...Aaaaaand it just occured to me that that is my freaking anniversary and *that* is

News and More Promises for forthcoming pictures

2007-11-13T11:45:00.000-05:00

First of all, the black and white Pennsic pictures are still being developed by my sister and scanned and I'm waiting for my next check to get the color photos printed. I PROMISE they'll be up before Christmas (preferably before Thanksgiving). Particularly, the tent photos and battle photos.News: Since our little Incipient Canton of Ealdnordwuda (no, don't try to spell it OR say it--we don't

Falling Down on the Job

2007-10-15T12:13:00.002-04:00

Sorry folks, I'm too busy making Halloween costumes and marching in parades and struggling with schoolwork to make garb, but I'll get some pics of the costumes to put up soon. The cats have been playing hockey with my film canisters and I've had to drag them out of some strange places. I'm working on a little embroidering to practice for garb embroidery and I'll get a few shots of that too.

Various updating, no pictures yet.

2007-09-18T14:30:00.000-04:00

The pictures are still in limbo. Elise is getting the black and whites this Friday, and I'll drop off the color film on Thursday. We'll get them up, I promise.I'm in the middle of a niece Halloween costume project. 10 month old twins who will be a lady bug and a honey bee. I'll get pics soon. Super cute stuff.The cider pressing was great fun, and I even got some raw cider to take home.

You Can't Always Get What You Want...

2007-08-30T09:56:00.001-04:00

I got the word from Bryan to do something about the multiple sewing machines and the sewing supplies everywhere. There is not a lot of places to put them, and I need to rearrange. I need to sit down and re-arrange my fabric piles. It's time to get my chair back from the fabric that has eaten it. I guess I don't blame him, he's not the sewing type and is tired of seeing it. I can't claim that

Back from WAR

2007-08-17T17:07:00.003-04:00

So I'm back and have suffered through the returning migraines and sickness. Probably the most miserable vacation I've ever been on, but it was worth it just to go again. Let me give some highlights:Friday:--It was scorching hot with little wind, even up on the hill where we were camped. We ended up arriving about 10am when the sun was at it's hottest and most scorching. I promptly took a

Emergency Update

2007-08-02T15:59:00.001-04:00

So the worst happened and my maternal grandfather died. This is not so much a problem for me as my family. He and I had our differences and he's not in pain anymore. I'm glad for that. Cancer is a fierce competitor, but he was almost as fierce. Almost. So I had less time than I thought I would to finish the class for Pennsic. We leave tonight at about 2am. We hope to get into Slippery

Emergency Notice

2007-07-26T15:50:00.001-04:00

_uacct = "UA-2210303-1";urchinTracker();To those of you who are looking forward to taking my class at Pennsic be forewarned: due to some pretty catastrophic family events currently brewing, I may not have the finished kit ready. I will be at Pennsic and I will teach the class regardless of how much I have finished on it, since I have all the actual paperwork and handouts ready for printing.If

Middle-class 1530's Tudor Garb Kit for the Pennsic Class.

2007-07-17T11:07:00.000-04:00

_uacct = "UA-2210303-1";urchinTracker();Ok, so I'm off and running (finally!) on theiTudor kit and I'm finally feeling like I may be able to finish everything if I stay up really late all the time and do my hand-sewing and on-paper designs when the girls are sleeping. I can't use the sewing machine, so that sort of sucks. I got a promise to borrow a camera from Iohann, and now I have my nice

13th Century Gown

2007-07-11T09:44:00.000-04:00

TLast night I measured, cut and sewed all but LaSo I measured, cut, and sewed together a preliminary 13th century gown. And as usual, somehow I messed up the measurements. I believe it was with the side gores. I'm used to making things without arm gussets. This was my first properly constructed (ignore the sewing machine) gown with armscye gussets and 4-sided side gores. I ran out of fabric

2007-07-10T10:45:00.000-04:00

I have finished some pretty neat stuff that met with approval last night at the business meeting! You know that red surcote that I stressed over and ruined and fixed eight times? Well I fixed it and turned the red into a lining for the new dark blue outer layer. It fits well, allows for air flow, and looks halfway decent. I'll get some pictures as soon as I figure out how to get the driver for

Quick update to get the rage post from the front page.

2007-07-03T11:06:00.000-04:00

This weekend is the Siege of Talonvale and I'm dragging the boy to camp! That's right, Bryan is to meet the Canton Crew this weekend. Tonight, I'm hemming and finishing everything I own and planning on spending most of the night and most of tomorrow measuring and piecing and sewing. Once Iohann gets here, I have to start woodworking and finishing the tent, so the garb must be mostly finished

Promised Pictures of Garb Finished and in Progress

2007-06-10T12:04:00.000-04:00

OK, so I've been promising and I only gave you a few wimpy pics the other day, but now I have Bryan's camera phone and I got some half-way decent pics of the mess that is my apartment covered in garb.(P.S. I've decided to ask Becky tonight if I can borrow her digital camera so I can document my Pennsic Preparation. I'm still also trying to get her to come to a small event with me, maybe the

Ridgepoles, and Uprights and Felled Seams, OH MY!

2007-06-10T10:55:00.001-04:00

So the canvas is bought. $153 at Joann Fabrics for the 60" cotton duck. I had a 40% off coupon that I used to great effect and only paid $80 for the fabric. I got the needles, so now I'm ready to rumble. I'm now searching in vain for ways to make the uprights hold the ridgepole without generous amounts of time and swearing to make them work. I'm also soliciting help with the sewing part.

Tudor kit for Pennsic class and more

2007-06-08T09:45:00.001-04:00

The first draft of the Pennsic University class list is now online. You can find it at http://www.pennsicwar.org/penn36/AANDS/PENNU/pennsic_classes_on_2007-07-31.htmlI'm teaching my class twice. First time is on Sunday August 5 at 1pm in AS tent 09. The second time is Friday August 10 at 2pm in AS tent 09. Each class time is two hours and is mostly lecture/discussion. I will be doing a very

Fabric Choices for the Tudor Kit

2007-06-07T19:03:00.000-04:00

The Pennsic University calendar has been published and you can find it at: http://www.pennsicwar.org/penn36/AANDS/PENNU/pennsic_classes_on_2007-07-31.htmlI'm teaching my class twice. On August 5 at 1pm in AS 09 and on August 10 at 2pm in AS 09.

Pictures, Garb, Shower Update and Misc.

2007-06-06T11:38:00.000-04:00

And here are some pictures as I promised. Don't laugh at me, the camera adds 10 pounds, especially in bad light and with a crappy cell phone camera. Either way, it's a chemise done. At that point I'm pretty sure that the collar wasn't finished, but now it is. These are a few months old. I made Bryan's garb and took pictures to prove that he actually put it on. He would only let me do the ones

Bad at this updating thing...

2007-06-02T11:53:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry! Ok, so wasting no time, let's get down to business. I'm investigating about 8 million things right now and have involved myself in rapier training. I missed fighter practice due to a debilitating sinus headache-cum-migraine on Wednesday. I'll be back at it on Wednesday barring another headache like that one. Not pretty. On that grain, I have some really great linen that I will

Virgin post

2007-04-18T18:28:00.000-04:00

Okie dokie I thought I'd tell you a bit about myself and about this project here. I'll try to keep this blog free of random whining about my normal life a focus solely on garb, garb history and research, and garb construction. Since everybody has one of these blogs if they are a costumer in the SCA, I'll join that illustrious group that I hope to join in apprenticeship if I can make some new