Thursday, September 27, 2012

Floral Embroidery- Second Panel Done



Well here are the pictures of the second panel, I think I am going to add some butterflies and some bugs on this but the flowers.  So the main work done, just small quick details to do.

I started working on the next panels, two at one time. Right now finishing the ends of the gold work and making calyx like attachements to embroider the flowers. So on to more lovely flowers in the future. Will be so nice when its all completed.

Well back to it,

Maureen

Monday, September 24, 2012

Tudorosities Milestones!

Well since 2010, this little corner of the web brings some light to Tudor Costuming, Elizabethan Costuming, Accessories from both periods as well as other delights from the Tudor dynasy that I found through my SCA journey. Over 10,000 views and over 130 posts since its inception in April of 2010. I wanted to take a opportunity to thank you for your support!

None of this would be possible without my loyal followers. Thank you! Looking forward to hitting 10,000 more page views. A great way to make sure that you are updated on any new posts is to become a follower via email or through blogger. Consider joining today!

I thought a good way to celebrate was to answer a question never asked about this blog, What is a Tudorosity? I wanted to come up with a unique title for this blog. Figuring that either I would have to make up a word or mash two words together, which both happend and created the idea behind the title.

Tudor-  1.any associations with the time period 1405-1603. 2.the reigns of the English royal family of Tudor starting with Henry VII through Elizabeth I.

Curiosities- 1. the desire to learn or know about anything; inquisitiveness 2. Having and interesting quality or character

So I mashed the Tudor and had to make it roll together with Curisosities, so Tudorosities was born.
Singurlar of course for one quandry and plural for many quandries. I went for plural in the name since the blog covers a wide range of time and topics.  I plan on putting this in my Frequently Asked Questions, even thought its never been asked techinically. So here is the offical definition of this blog's title.

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

Well that is our dose of vocabulary for the day. I finished the embroidery on the second sleeve panel  yesterday. I also started working on the third, there are four panels that make the sleeves on this jacket. Yay, progress on the embroidery. Can't wait to finish these so I can work on the body panels

Milestones are the Best,

Maureen



Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Mending and Custom Orders

For the past weekend I have not got lots of embroidery done, though I have been making money. I had completed a Karate outfit for my sisters doll, which is a class room teaching aid. So super happy to help out.  I mended a skirt, made patches for jeans, mended a hole in some kahki shorts, and got this custom order. So lots of activity from 5 different customers. All in all I made profit and kept busy. Wish I could be this steady through the rest of the year. It was a nice financial boost.

Well I am currently working on a Custom French hood, black with silver accents and lace. Looking reallg good so far should have it done within the next few days. Though I wanted to let everyone know that I still have openings for custom Halloween and Renaissance Faire costumes!  Please think ahead, these take time to complile and I need time to sew also.

So if you are intersted  please contact me  for quote and time period to get the outfit completed.

Uniquely Yours,

Maureen

Monday, September 10, 2012

Mad Hatter of a Weekend!



Well not mad, but eccentric yes. I had a change of pace this weekend, trying to keep from being burnt out on embroidery. The current jacket skirt combo, I completed the skirt and these 4 above. Two are snoods one woven one embroidered on the right. The hat is a modification of a 1950's hat, snood added to back trim and rose decoration on front. The feathery hat on the left was a laundry mat creation, a great use of time. One way I get alot of embroidery done is while at the laundry mat, its a a grand thing. So the embroidery project is going well, started on the second panel, though not far along at this time.  Wanted to share my mad millinery skills with you all. Now to get back to the project at hand, the wonderful Elizabethan/ Jacobean Jacket. Though I have pictures of the shell detail on the skirt below and the total look on my dress form pinned up easier for a photo. The same shell detail is on the hat, so its going to be a very interesting ensemble when done.


Though I will be working on another french hood, I have a commission via Etsy. Super excited looking forward to getting it all together and done this week or so. The wonderful lady is good with
time for this project but I want to get it done in a timely fashion. No pun intended.

Well best to get back to all the work before I get to sleep. Hope to make some major progress over the next week.Millinery Madness will continue from time to time before all is said and done with this jacket project.

Back to sewing,

Maureen

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Custom Orders are Open, Order Today!

Don't think its too early to think about halloween or too late for Renaissance Faires to get a great Renaissance or Medieval Costume! I am open for custom orders and most basic outfits can be completed in a few days most times over a weekend. So don't hesitate to contact me for quotes and information. I would love to complete your next costumed look and make it as unique as all my customers. email me faerydustcollector@gmail.com

Hoping to be Busy,

Maureen

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Art meets Form meets Function is so my forte!

Well I completed my first panel for the Embroidered Elizabethan/Jacobean Jacket. Along the way I learned the detached buttonhole stitch, which was easier than I thought to completed. I also found away of weaving some really neat 3D peas using the same stitch. Which I am thrilled, my sister Karen, who was in for a visit thought it was impressive. I also did some weaving effects, beaux stitch, satin stitch, split stitch, and french knots. I plan on using bullion stitches and really having fun with each panel, I want to complete all the sleeves first and sew them together.  The body panels will take the longest but will be really a joy to see develop.

Though I did make a decision on the colors, I am going to make all the flowers in red, yellow, corals and oranges. I will be using some greens and purples with fruit and nuts. I will make the peacocks on the jacket in their natural colors to match the same colored trim. I feel the color choices should work well with the pink coral lining I am using for the collar and cuffs. So with all the gold lace, shell in pearl decorations, and other finery, this should be one really impressive project when completed.

I pleated the skirt and its stitched into the waist band, the hem is cut but needs finished. I have enough fabric to make a marvelous hat with embrodered caul, which was a sample I made from Embroidery Guild. Love when needlework examples can become functional garments or accessories. So on my way with those! Oh I also want to make a fancy collar for my wonderul fox puppet, who is going to become my "flea fur" I am so happy I had him custom made, what a wonderul tool for the kids events. He is deserving of a grand Renaissance collar and golden lead. Though I may whip up something embroidered for him, Loxley is in need of something special.

Well I am hoping that I can make good progress today. For a change of focus last night I painted miniatures for an army that Justin and I will be starting soon. I forgot how much I missed painting, it was a welcome change of pace. Though I will not get this project done if I am talking about it, so going to get started on the next panel.

Regards,

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