Thursday, February 5, 2015

Arachne`s Curse

Well been busy but been an weaving based educational few days. Bought a new Lucet made from cow horn. Its much smoother working with silk than my wooden Lucet. I am going to sand my wooden one to get out the snags and burs in the arms. Its smooth but silk is just fine enough to catch in some of  the natural edges of the white oak. It does well with cotton but the silk catches.

I finished my lavender yarn belt off my tablet loom. Not certain what I am going to do with it yet, but it was good practice to get better.

Restrung it with white silk to weave a white band. These bands were used with dress hooks to hold up tudor skirts and seen in many different reference paintings. One namely the drawing of a Flemish lady by Hans Holbein.
This gentle lady is the main inspiration for my persona, though she is flemish and my persona is Irish.  The garb reminds me of something elegant yet functional Lady Mairin would wear and the time period is right.its my inspiration to make a second attempt at making this total outfit.


So I know a source for the hooks from a Scadian artisan, so now to weave the bands. I am detangling some of the string from the first stringing of silk. So I can string a second loom later.  Not sure if the bands are one continuous band or two around the arms. Not way of telling, not many portraits from the back.
   
Bought the book on Sweet Bags book, been eyeing for sometime.  Its as good as people have recommended. Have to read more to figure out what extent design I want to try. I haven made progress on the goldwork for the coif since Sunday. Don't think i will have time his weekend either but will try to squeeze in time to work on it.  Found some new garb inspirations and these two gowns are on the never ending garb list.


Garb Dreaming,

Mairin
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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