It dawned on me at some point that I should make a blank needle case without any embroidery as a test case. It is often the case that one will have a plan in their head about how to go about doing something and then, when you sit down to do it, it doesn't work… Continue reading One Little Needle Case: A tutorial
Category: Projects
January: Applique Inspiration and Planning
January's needle case is Applique and I am so inspired by this bag. Seal Bag with the Arms of Edward I now in the Collection of Westminster Abbey This seal bag was part of an exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum on different embroidery techniques and it is wonderful to look at. A seal… Continue reading January: Applique Inspiration and Planning
12 Little Needle Cases Project
In 2021, I plan to make 12 needle cases, one each month, each in a different historical embroidery style.
A One Day Headdress for Virtual Court
Its no surprise that I miss the heck out of going to SCA events. But there are some things that I really enjoy about virtual gatherings, like the limited travel time, and the ability to wear crazy garb without regard to the unknown conditions in where the event is. The other thing, is that you… Continue reading A One Day Headdress for Virtual Court
Little Plague Projects
The Plague year, the plague year! Its been a tough time to do anything. While working full time, despite decreased commute time and due to the overwhelming feeling of dread due to--the state of the world--I have had a hard time getting to projects, working on things, and hunkering down to finish projects started a… Continue reading Little Plague Projects
The Betsy Rossenrock
By going to events at the SCA I have had the pleasure of meeting my friend Engle, who is incredibly passionate about a very particular time in history. And that is the time of the Landsknecht. The Landsknecht were mercenary soldiers who were hired by the Holy Roman Empire to fight in various wars and… Continue reading The Betsy Rossenrock
Going Overboard with an Overdress
If you read my "Designing my first medieval garment post", you know that I decided I wanted to recreate the blue gown pictured below, with long hanging sleeves. I knew that this project would be "extra", but I didn't know how extra, until I finished it. Or at least was cutting it out. Who knew… Continue reading Going Overboard with an Overdress
The Supportive Kirtle
The supportive kirtle is the magic layer which gives you shape underneath your overdress, and its also nice enough to wear by its self. To make this, I needed to self draft my own pattern. The design would be simple, a front lacing dress with side gores and long tightish sleeves. These sleeves would peak… Continue reading The Supportive Kirtle
Designing my first Medieval Garment
I could have found the SCA many ways. The organization was founded by some of my favorite science fiction authors. I'm pretty sure my medieval art history professor nudged me in the direction of the SCA once or twice. (Medieval art historians are considered the most fun loving, probably because we study penis trees). But… Continue reading Designing my first Medieval Garment
The Chemise
The most important aspect of any historical costume is, surprisingly, the underwear. The underwear gives shape and body to the clothes you put over it while keeping your costume clean. For medieval clothes, the shift does not often give a lot of shape, but it does provide a necessary layer with additional coverage. In later… Continue reading The Chemise
The Inevitable Scadian 