Friday, March 30, 2012

Finishing March on a Busy Note

Well finished the embroidery on my elizabethan hankerchief earlier this week. In working this small sample project, it gave me an idea on how the silk thead I have works with the silk fabric for the elizabethan shirts.Also was visited by the inspriation fairy, to make an elizabethan embroidered jacket. This is meant to match the same olive green demask skirt I am using for the underskirt of the peach elizabethan gown. I have enough of the olive green floral damask fabric to make a whole skirt not just a fronted skirt like I normally make for most of my gowns.

In addition to working on plans for the wedding and such, I made a herladic pendant of my own heraldry. I have no idea what necklace I am planning on putting it on, its on a silk ribbon right now. I did get a chance to try on some of my new gowns, the plan black silk elizabethan with puffy sleeves fits beautifully. Though I am still waiting and debating trim to start revamping and decorating the gowns. The white velvet ribbon is late in the mail and I have ideas to match it with a gold lace trim that will completment the Black Shoulder Puffed Elizabethan gown really well. I still m working on a theory for the coral fabric to go with the gold and black doublet gown, its going to be epic if I can get it to work right.

So small victories this week, I have had lots of requests for custom gowns via email and right now. In the process of weeding out those who are serious. One commission I am waiting for fabric in the mail. I am looking at selling off some of the less worn garments in my trunks, though I have to dig in my trunk to get them out and ready for sale. I just have to get rid of those I am not wearing and make room for ones that are worth my time.

The new gowns have loops for hangers, so I am hanging them up and putting the childrens totes out in the shed. They are taking way too much space in the front bedroom closet, which is the garb closet. There isn't anything that can be damaged in the totes being in the shed, so that is my goal tomorrow. Beside cutting the grass and going to do laundry. Also have errands to finish up just general picking things up for the cats and all the fineries of household management.

I cut down in my to do list by doing dishes and vacuuming the house this morning. Ah well at least I have the day off, sewing will be in my future certainly on Saturday;-)

Make it a Great Weekend,

Maureen


Sunday, March 25, 2012

In like a Lion out like a Lamb, well just the Lamb!

March is pretty soon at a close and we had overly pleasant weather the whole month. Yeah it was a Lamby March. Yesterday was Ice Dragon, I found out from my lovely friend Lady Jacqueline De Moliere that there were few who showed to Ice Dragon. If I had entered in Toys this year, I would have been the only one. So amazing really I could have clenched another Toy category amongst other enteries if I so desired. Along with being there for the Chancellor of Youth installment for Kingdom would have been nice too. That is typical of what happens when I don't get to an event, I miss all sorts of things that I would have liked to participate in. Well I heard that gas prices really cut into the attendance, it was over 4.00 a gallon in New York State according to Jacqueline. Not sure if the Barony up there will be able to defray costs and get the same venue next year. Guess we will see, I do plan on coming next year with enteries in garb, embroidery, accessory, jewelry and toy entry next year. I did miss going, but the wedding does take precidence.

On a small life note, I have to say expensive gas hurts alot of us. I feel so fortunate to work so close to home. I really don't know what I would do if we lived a few towns over. Though I have to admit with a new job I am looking at; gas will not be an issue with a company vehicle and gas card. Wish I could secure it sooner, here is to hoping.

Ironically I did have Satuday off for once, though I spent a majority of my day working on chores. Laundry and Grocery shopping mainly though I did work on two elizabethan smocks for the new gowns. The smocks are needing narrow sleeves to fit in the gowns. I have to cut out add sleeves which is the plan today. The fabric is a cotton blend with a little stretch, which is good since I will need it be form fitting to the arms. I was able to use a wonderful net crochet for the top and use the last of my organza leaf trim for the collar. I have single leaves for the bottom to add an nice accent just going to stitch it down the the top.

Well the gowns did arrive last Thursday and they look just the pictures posted last. They do fit but just. The gowns do have some extra material space to extend and make modesty panels and such. Which will be good idea at this point I don't think I will be losing weight but they are only small by and inch so its a fixable solution either way. They are all just as described and very beautiful! I am pondering just on how to decorate each and give them a more distinct period feel. I am reasearching early Elizabethan portraits to see what transformation I can make to each gown. The skirts are perfect and will work with the hoop skirt I just acquired. Which I love and can't wait to wear. Though I will have to bide my time and see how it will all work out as I get them modified and decorated I will post them.

Here is to quality speedy sewing and decoration. I am excited at all the new garb prospects.

Its going to be a busy summer,

Lady Mairin

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Happy St. Patrick's Day






In regal fashion for St Patricks Day I located some awesome gowns on ebay I am going to decorate and slightly modify to look similar to Renaissance and Tudor Portrait Paintings. It took me most of the week to plan out each one but I figured out exactly how each is going to work. The bodice I will have a skirt coming with it for a small extra fee, super happy 4 gowns and so much potential. I bought them for less than 300 total, and they are real silk oh its just awesome! What can I say Happy Early Birthday to Me! I wanted a blue elizabethan but lost it in the last seconds of the auction, guess someone wanted it more than me. Oh well I have some great other creations coming.

So really excited to take these new to me gowns and pump them up to the next level. So soon as these are done and a few of the other Elizabethan Gowns I have planned to make at home I will be able to get my pictures and produce my next You Tube Gown video. Oh its getting exciting!

This cheers me up since I am not able to go to Ice Dragon due to finances and wedding plans. You are supposed to get married once, so its worth missing my favorite SCA event of the year. Though I do have lovely plans for Ice Dragon Pent next year, its going to be epic ;-)

Well that is all the news from here, be well my sewing fairies and happy holiday!

Blessings,

Maureen

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Jewelry Boxes and New Jewelry

























Spring is near and so is lots of planning

Haven’t had time to post been a busy lady, though that is expected with a wedding approaching. I have a commission coming in to be done by July, waiting for the fabrics and trim coming from the buyer. Really thrilled, that helped pay for Justin’s tux, and my rings soddered. So really happy, I have someone else interested in the gowns I have on Etsy, though they have no gotten back to me on which on they want I would need to resize them. Hope they sell fingers crossed. Sent the invites but no response yet, get thought everyone was going to be mailing responses back asap, guess we will see. Justin and his best man are fitted for tuxes; they will look great knowing those two. I picked up my garters while there at a good price. I made all the bridal flowers and décor for the church, I have bird seed and tule for toss bags at the end of the service, have the ribbon too. Oh it’s going to be good fun.

I modified my bridal tiara to include 6 fresh water pearls and 5 rubies. It all goes with my wedding colors. A friend found a wooden stamped box with roses on it, I cleaned it up fixed hinges put a clasp and lined the inside with velvet. The case is now worthy of magnificence for my tiara and bridal jewelry. Oh I did a drawing o f my wedding outfit everything and it will be fun to see how it all turns out. Pictures of course will be posted when the deed is completed next month ;-)

On life, I have many irons in the fire, ones particularly on a new job. Hoping it all works out because it will be the boost income I need to get life started and moving on to better things with my new life with Justin. Lots of prayers and luck are needed on this, hope to hear more soon.

On the wedding front, I had my rings to be sodered together. The wedding band and the engagement ring got a professional opinion on the sizing and it doesn’t need to be resized. The metal is polished up, the stones clean and checked to be secure in their settings. It looks like new, I put in back in its box so it stays brilliant for the wedding. Plus I am not married so I don’t want to cause confusion. Justin and I need to make an appointment to get the marriage license. We here thinking of making that next week, since I know that we both have to be there. So I have to get a good time to get that done.

I have been working on my left Elizabethan Glove embroidery more consistently over the last week; I have one peacock supporter done and ¾ through the other. I have to do the leafy boarder with flowers and that will finish it all up. So far so good, this is good practice for all the embroidery I will have to do with the silk shirt. Which I have to find where I placed the silk cuttings for the shirt, they are in my sewing room somewhere. All the spaces and no storage it’s just a jungle in my sewing room.

On the jewelry front, I sold several pieces on Ebay and there is lots of interest on the remaining few costume jewels left. I have made a bunch of new Tudor style jewelry for my own use. Ideally my purpose was the jewels could be worn with a fancy dress outfit or with my Tudor gowns. The first bunch is gold plated pieces using briolette cut beads, which appear as a perfectly round teardrop shape bead. I found theses in genuine Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby on Etsy. Put them with the gold plated pieces to give them some punch, it’s lovely. They are not period jewelry which was much heavier but they will at least go with the gowns and use real gemstones so I am happy with the how they turned out. I had bought several faux glass cabochons back in the summer. So I made several lovely pieces using gold plated filigree bead caps, freshwater pearls and cabochon drops and also did that with small rhinestones necklaces two sets have matching earrings. All in all they are really lovely and I have a photo collection I will post of each piece. Very pleased to be building a semi precious and precious gem collection with my Tudor looks, it just looks more finished to me than large fake pieces.

Ice Dragon is my March Madness per say, it’s the Kingdom of Aethelmearc’s biggest Arts and Sciences competition. My areas of expertise are toy making, costuming, accessories, fiber arts and jewelry making. I do want to add embroidery but have not many pieces I feel comfortable entering; none are research on embroidery techniques or methods but may be entering my Elizabethan Gloves may change that eventually. Still have lots to document on this and will have to wait till next year. Right now with the wedding an all the planning I am busy but its relaxing not going to Ice Dragon and scrambling to complete a project and documentation. Speaking of documentation, I came across more for Marionettes. I photocopied the pages are set to put them in a small folder or binding them into a thin book per say. Not sure on which I want to do but I have time and options ;-)

Well that is all the news from here lots of Renaissance stuff and wedding planning.

Good things to come,
Lady Mairin

Replica 1560's Venetian Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1560's Venetian Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1560 French Fashion Doll

Replica 1560 French Fashion Doll

Tudor Q and A

What is a Tudorosity?

A mashed combination of the words Tudor and Curiosity to create the word Tudorosity. Tudorosities is the plural form and the deffinition is as follows.

Tudorosity- an desire to learn or know anything about the Tudor dynasty associated with years 1405 through 1603.

Most people ask my why I make the Tudor garb ?

I find the clothing of this era not only beautiful but also challenging to sew. There is much more care and purpose put into making garments and wearing garments in the Tudor Era. I love the look of Tudor so much I wanted to explore the way clothes were made back then and the subtle changes in fashion and styles of time.

How did you get started in this interesting hobby?

I started with art first, I love to draw, paint, and sculpt all the traditional fine arts. So being able to draw helps me visualize the looks I want to create in my garb. History has always been a huge interest of mine and I've had a knack for sewing since I was 7 years old. It all started with doll clothes and I learned cross stitch embroidery from my grandmother when I was little. I am self taught sewer, crochet, knitting, embroidery and tatting. My methods are learned from books mainly and there is still so much more to learn.

What is my favorite outfit and why?

It would be like picking a favorite out of one of my future children, its impossible. I love all my gown creations and really like the distinct differences in all the styles clothing I make for the Tudor Era.

Do you make the whole outfit including hat, shoes, and undergarments?

I do have a goal of making a complete Tudor from the skin out. As of right now I make 90% of my gowns and accessories. The shoes and stockings, are bought online and the petticoats are a close reproduction but not made by me. .

How long does it take to make a gown?

It all depends on the type of gown. The making relies on the time period and class of the design. Generally if I work on it 8 hours a day on a sewing machine it will take 3 days to get the basics and another 5 days to do finish hand-sewing details and beading. So a week to a week and a half if working on it steady for that amount of time. I work a full-time job so it does take longer than a week to complete. I put over 40-100 hours per outfit depending on its complexity, its like its own full time job of sorts.

Do you make renaissance clothing for sale or custom orders?

No, due to new employment and changes in my lifestyle. Unfortunately, I have no time to support sewing for others. Though I recommend sewing lessons for those adventurous few. There are many fine folks who make and sell historical clothing. I suggest guidance with sew from many fine historical enthusiastic costumers out on the internet.

How long have you been making these elaborate costumes?

I have been in the Society of Creative Anachronism coming up on my 18th year. Active since 2004 working at demonstrations and volunteering when I could between working and other life's distractions. I really concentrated on Tudor sewing in 2007 and worked with patterns to learn proper fabrics, techniques, fit, and silhouette. I really enjoy the eras transition from a medieval form fitting layered cotterdie to the boned Tudor kirtle and then to structured Elizabethan clothing.

Replica 1490 Milan Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1490 Milan Italian Fashion Doll
Based on art by Giovanni Ambrogio

O’Kealy Heraldry

O’Kealy Heraldry