Wow, it has been longer than I though!

Life is crazy and busy, tiring but good. I still haven't finished the Renaissance dress but I have done some hand sewing! I'm still trying to decide on embillishments (if any) and closures (although will probably do lacing holes). I am hoping to have it done to a wearable stage (no sleeves) by this weekend - not sure it will happen though ;-) I have the two new patterns as well which remain unopened.

I did buy a stash of velveteen the other day as it was reduced from $14.95AUS per metre to $6AUS per metre :-) I got 10m of green, 10m of blue and 10m of black - I am hoping now with the warmer weather and wanting to stay in the air conditioning I will get some sewing done. I must admit I have not been motivated lately :-(

Didn't quite get there..........

I got Wolfstanus' and Gryffen's doublets done (after sewing until 1am both Thursday and Friday nights) but it just wasn't physically possible to get Conrad's done. He was very understanding though! His will be on the top of the list now to get done. Here are two photos although they haven't got the tie on sleeves on them. (It was quite warm through the day). Will try and get better ones after they have been cleaned - oh the dust!!

Oh the plans.........

Just need a break from spread sheets so here are a few ramblings.......
* Get the boys doublets finished by this weekend
* Next step is new shirts for Conrad, Gryffen and Terry
* Do blackwork embroidery (learn to do it first) on all the boys shirts
* Finish my Italian experiment
* Create a German Renaissance gown - probably view II or V on this......I have some Burgundy velveteen that has been recycled from an old Elizabethan I pulled apart itching to be made ;-)




* Once all the spiffy gear is made, get a family portrait done!

One almost done.........

and two more to go in two days! Got Gryffens almost done - the trim turned up yesterday. Huzzah! I haven't got time to upload photos etc at the moment so will try and do that next week when things aren't so crazy! I'm really happy with it - I just need to do lacing holes on the main body and on the sleeves, sew the sleeve caps on and sew on the frog closures and it is a done deal! My mum is going to help me with the hand sewing over the next few days so we can hopefully get them all done! I have tomorrow off work but with all the running around I need to do to organise the event it is going to be tight ;-) At least I am not the only one! Terry and Pete still need to finish off their armour before the weekend! LOL

You know you're in the SCA when..............

Wednesday update

Got the hand sewing done on Gryffen's doublet (took a couple of photos but will need to upload them from home), got the sleeves lined and now I cannot go any further until I get the trim. Fingers, toes and everything crossed it turns up today!

Worked on Wolfstanus' doublet - cut out the lining from the pattern I have for his dad. Naturally it was way too big! Put it on him and marked the new seam lines and used the lining as the pattern. Then cut out the interfacing and fabric - pinned the lining together ready to sew. I hope to get the sewing done this evening (as then I need to wait for, you guessed it, the trim).

Will make a start on Conrad's tomorrow!

Progress at last!

Got a fair amount done on Gryffen's doublet last night. The collar is on, the peplum is on and the main body is together and fully lined. I just need to hand sew the lining on the inside to 'seal it up'. The lining is pinned to the sleeves so will sew it tonight and the sleeve caps are sewn to the point where I need to put on the trim. Now if the trim would just arrive things would be great!

Tonight will be sewing sleeves and lining as well as cutting out Wolfstanus' doublet and pinning. Wednesday night will be cutting out Conrad's doublet and pinning (and hopefully the trim will turn up or I'm screwed). Thursday night is household grocery night so probably won't get a lot done. Friday is shopping for the feast, acupuncture, picking up hospit gear, portaloo and finishing sewing all doublets 'cause Saturday is setup, archery, feast and tourney on Sunday. Nothing quite like a tight schedule is there?

So far the doublet looks great - it is lined with navy blue linen and the main fabric is black velveteen. With Gryffen's red hair it works well :-) I'll try and get a photo of the progress tonight.

Beginings of a doublet for Gryffen

I actually managed to get a little bit done last night until the headache took over. Got the fabric cut out (black velveteen) and the interfacing cut out and ironed onto the fabric pieces. Pieces have been pinned ready to sew of the lining and the main fabric. The issue I have at the moment is there is only so much I can sew before I need to put the trim on before completing the rest of the sewing. I got an email last night to say there had been a hiccup with my order - the online store thingy let me order more frog closures than was in stock - oh bother. I was asked if I would like to wait one or two weeks for the new stock to come in or if I would like what they had now sent and send the remainder when it arrives - I opted for the second option! So, it doesn't look like I will have my trim by the weekend now - oh bother! Murphy's Law of course - my fault for leaving it to the last minute! I can see a few late nights next week! The other problem of course is we only get mail Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Hopefully the trim will arrive by Monday otherwise it is going to be awfully tight! If worst comes to worst, I'll just sew the doublets together plain and attach the trim when it arrives - a little bit more mucking around but doable! Have I learned my lesson? Time will tell! LOL

Slow start

Got the lining for Gryffen's doublet cut out and realised I also need interfacing *sigh*. Went to spotlight and got some medium weight iron on stuff (because I am pressed for time) - should do the trick. Given the lining is linen and the fabric is velveteen it should hold the shape nicely (I hope!). Was a bit sore and headachey after the chiro last night so only did that bit and had to stop. I hope to get the interfacing and fabric for Gryffen's cut out tonight. Probably won't get time for anything tomorrow night so if I can get the other two cut out on Friday night will be great! I have a house-full this weekend so it is going to be interesting getting all of this done! Hopefully the trim and frog closures will turn up on Friday - then I think it will be late nights all of next week! At least I have next Friday off work to get all the stuff done for the feast and tourney. Oh boy!

Patterns arrived.........

that I ordered - the Italian Renaissance one and the German one (listed in a post somewhere below ;-)). They will need to wait for a bit though until I get the doublets done.

Hope to start cutting out material tonight.........

Why do I leave things to the last minute?

Because it is my nature I guess. I think I have plenty of time and it just creeps up on me!

So, a brief update:
* No more work done on the Italian dress due to working on chook pen (see Chickadee Chirpings)
* Remembered I had promised my three sons I would make them new doublets for the Radburne Anniversary Feast on the 16 May
* Bought velveteen (Conrad is having Navy Blue with white trim - his colours, Wolfstanus is having black velveteen with red and gold trim - his colours, and Gryffen is having black velveteen with gold trim - his dad's colours 'cause I couldn't get green velveteen which is Gryffen's colours)
* Went - 'OMG, how will I get this done?'
* Ordered trim from Odds n Sods in Newcastle because I cannot buy it locally. They have always got orders to me quickly so hoping it will be the same this time!
* No longer need to make T's tabbard in a hurry as he doesn't really need it until August now (phew!!!)
* I will wear my Cotehardie and Sideless surcoat for the feast as it is warm - the new outfit can wait a bit longer ;-)

Back to work - coffee break over!

No new news........

Haven't done any more work on the dress - too busy working on the chook pen and reading ;-) Hope to work out the sleeves over the next few days.........

Day two of the project

12/4/2009
Fabric cut out as well as lining (I used calico from my stash) and iron on interfacing. I used lightweight interfacing as that is what I had in my stash but heavy should be used. Sewed the bodice and remembered to leave the armholes un-sewn but forgot to leave the bottom hem open! Unpicked the hem......I had only one length of material left to make the skirt - luckily it was long enough and wide enough! It isn't particularly full but I still needed to pleat it to fit the bodice. Sewed the skirt to the bodice. Now I need to hand sew the armhole lining to the bodice and the bodice lining over the seam of the skirt where it attaches to the bodice. I also put boning in the front closure to stop the lacing holes pulling too severely. I also need to do the lacing holes.
Still need to decide on sleeve style which is the next part of the project!

And we begin.......

Step 1
Got mum to assist with measurements and wrote them into booklet

Step 2
Remembered I already had a chemise from my Elizabethan experiment - it is a little tight under the arms but perfectly fine for this experiment! I still want to make a new one complete with blackwork embroidery, but it can wait for now.

Step 3
or decisions, decisions!!
Decided on a square neck bodice with front lacing so I can 'dress myself' and thought this would be easiest for a first attempt. I also decided on detached sleeves for flexibility. Still deciding on exact style of sleeve though.

Step 4 or more decisions!
Picking material! I went through my stash and found some very pale blue silkish looking material (it is not silk - not sure what it is but I got it courtesy of Aminah - thanks Aminah!). I also found some gold coloured brocade material for the sleeves.



Step 5
Making the bodice pattern
- draw the pattern onto brown paper using measurements taken with mum in step 1 and following instructions in booklet
- drafting the pattern was very difficult for me! After double checking some measurements (it just didn't look right) and a few goes later I finally had a paper pattern! Still not convinced it is correct ;-) Cutting out of scrap material (remembering to leave a seam allowance) and then adjust fit on. Update Pattern did not work very well - goofed it somewhere! The back was way too short! Back to the drawing board! I have a number of commercial patterns but I want to do more than that! I will be ordering Historic Patterns 'Italian Renaissance Gowns C 1470-1505' and 'Women's German Puff and Slash Gowns C 1500-1545 AD'. The Cotehardie one was good as was the gambeson one - unfortunately I just do not have the skills yet to draft a pattern!

Take 2
I didn't want to give up so went back and redrew the back piece of the pattern. I then cut it out of scrap, sewed it together and tried it on. I got my husband to mark the changes needed to the armholes and neckline. I adjusted the fit along the bust and then cut myself out of the toile. I unpicked the seams and traced the pattern back onto paper so I could re-use it. Hopefully I have it right this time!. I will now cut out my fabric.......

Italian Renaissance Gown project part two

I found an instruction booklet called "Italian Renaissance Gown Construction" by Mistress Leona Khadine d'Este and Mistress Enid D'Auliere. I normally like to have a pattern as I am not a confident seamstress however these instructions are clear enough that I think I want to give it a go!
The first things I need to do are:
1) Get mum to help me get accurate measurements
2) Decide on a chemise
3) Decide type of bodice - front, back or side lacing
4) Decide on neck shape - square, round or v
5) Detached, attached or combination sleeves?
6) One, two or three piece sleeves etc (So many choices!!! LOL)
7) What embellishments?
8) Make bodice pattern
9) Make chemise
10) Make gown
11) Research headwear and make
12) Research accessories

Italian Inspiration

Part one - started 11/4/2009

I haven't made myself a new outfit for some time. Elizabethan wasn't for me - too hot and too cumbersome for what I need. I still love my cotehardies and Viking is very practical and comfortable. This time though, I want to try something different. I have seen some Italian Renaissance gowns and I must admit I like the look of them. What they look like on me though may be something totally different! LOL I have a large stash of material so I figured I'll make an outfit and if it doesn't suit me, it will be a gift for the hospit gear. If it does turn out, then I will use my burgundy velveteen to make a speccy outfit ;-)

Where to start? Atlantia A & S links, Realm of Venus, Google and several hours later I have a starting point. I like these portraits, courtesy of Realm of Venus .







Will post more tomorrow......

Got my sewing done before Border War!

Yay - got all the sewing done, including the shirt! The banners didn't get done but that is not the end of the world.

Word of advice - do not attempt new patterns when you are tired and constantly getting interrupted by people! It is possible to end up with the collar sewn as a cuff! This means pulling apart and doing again!

Ten more sleeps

to get my sewing done!

I got three T-Tunics done Sunday afternoon, had a slack day yesterday and got one pair of pants done tonight. I have another pair of pants cut out and pinned and need to get some more material tomorrow to do the last pair of pants. Then I need to do a shirt for Wolfstanus......

After that if I have time I will do two banners.......

The Yellow Cotehardie Lacing Holes are finally done!!!

Mind you I stayed up until 1am this morning doing them ;-) I checked to make sure it still fits as I began this project about 14 months ago! Thank goodness it does!!!

Will try and get Wolfstanus' lacing holes done tonight......now I just need a photo to put here! LOL

And still trying to get through the list.....

I have 18 days to do the following:
* 2 pairs of baggy pants for T
* 1 shirt and 1 pair of baggy pants for Wolfstanus
* 1 pair baggy pants for Gryffen
* Heraldic Tabard for T
* 2 x t-tunics for Kristy
* 1 T-tunic for Pete (I found one of Conrad's old one's that will fit him thus cutting down on sewing time)
* New banner for T
* New banner for Gryffen (due to design changes)
* Lacing holes have been cut for my cotehardie and Wolfstanus' cotehardie - just need to sew around them now!
* Need to look at headware for me
* Turtle brooches ordered and awaiting arrival (hopefully this week) for my Viking outfit ;-)

Hmmmm..........busy but doable!

Getting through the list......

slow and steady! Got the sleeves pulled out of my 'old favourite' heraldic cotehardie - since I have been going to the gym the sleeves are now too tight! I've decided for Border War to wear it sleeveless over a cotton voile underdress - should be a little cooler that way ;-) Eventually I want to add tie on sleeves.

Got the sleeves pulled out of Wolfstanus' two cotehardies - they were too tight but the rest of it fits fine. He can wear his sleeveless for now too and I will add tie on sleeves later. Also took the hem down on one of Gryffen's trousers so he can wear them a bit longer.

I've almost got my Viking apron dress done too - just need to hem it and get my turtle brooches ;-)

Four gambesons finally done!

Including the lacing holes - huzzah! They have also been used and work well ;-) At least I can cross them off my list. I think the next thing to do will be Terry's tabbard and then the t-tunics and baggy trousers. Oh the list!!

Gambeson number two almost complete

Got the second gambeson almost done - need to hand sew the 'flap' at the front and add closures. What is it with me and closures? I have about 4 things that need closures and I keep avoiding them! Maybe because doing lacing holes is not my favourite thing ;-)

This gambeson was meant for Pete but it ended up being too small in the sleeves/armholes because it is much thicker than the first one I made (and I didn't quilt it). All is not lost - it fits Wolfstanus who also needs a gambeson! So, two down, two to go!

When I make Pete's this time I will cut it large, then quilt the pieces, then cut it to the size I need. I think I will baste this time, mark out any adjustments and then do the final cut and sewing. I know this is how you should do it anyway but I am just too impatient ;-) Then I just have Conrad's to make.

Once the gambesons are out of the way, Terry, Pete and Wolfstanus need tabards. (Conrad already has a House Pretect one.) Then once they are done, I need to make T-Tunics for Pete and Kristy, baggy trousers for the three boys, finish the lacing holes on my cotehardie, make my viking apron dress, t-tunics for Terry, sleeveless doublets (2 each) for Conrad and Wolfstanus. And all before Border War! Ahhhh!

Arming caps almost done and dusted....

Got the remaining three arming caps cut out and sewn last night - just need to sew on ties under the chin. Then I will put them on again and see if they need any adjustment ;-) The boys think that is not necessary as the weight of the helms will keep them flat but I am not so sure. Obviously they all have different shaped heads so the pattern fits some better than others. All in all, not a bad effort though for a first go! Will be making gambesons this weekend.....I haven't got a photo of the caps yet, will try and get that tonight. We were too busy giggling about my husband in his almost complete gambeson, trying on his new helm (which is also not complete), cigarette hanging out of his mouth and shorts and thongs on. What can I really say but it was a 'Kodak' moment! LOL

You know you are in the SCA when.........

One arming cap done, three to go......

I finally got around to giving the pattern a go that Johanna gave me a few weeks ago. I made the arming cap with the leftovers from the material of the gambeson. Just need to add ties and it is done ;-) I should be able to get the other three done with the rest of the leftovers - I have tried the 'draft' on the other three and I am good to go. Will try and get them done by Saturday.

I need to get the other three gambesons done this weekend too if possible - K is coming up to learn how to make one for P so really I only have two to make and help with the third ;-)

Once that is done, I want to start on my Viking Apron Dress - I have had the material for over 12 months now and I got some beautiful trim from the Radburne War chest that will go perfectly LOL.

Will try and get a picture of the arming cap here tonight when I get home..........

Photos of the gambeson in progress

I still need to get one of the finished product!