Monday, April 30, 2018

Lewisburg Arts Festival 2018

  I was prudent and avoided taking any of my spinning wheels this year. As hauling is a challenge and weather is fickle, as the forecast was correct on transientness of mother nature.

 So hand drop spinning, fiber display, wear the woven waistcoat and dolls. So here are pictures of the day.

 Did have a young girl try spinning, drop spindle is easier than my wheels. So for the best for a try it. Plus many intrigued by the dolls and all the paintings they are found within period.

The waistcoat had much praise and many questions. I like the fit and the fiber, looking forward to wearing my others with respective silk kirtles. May have found my period jeans so to speak.

Had a blast from the past,


Marrin O'Kealy

 Credits to Dennys the Decadent and Jaqueline de Moliere for pictures.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Wild Wooly Wednesday

 Finished this middle class Elizabethan wool gown. This has been an outstanding project for over a year. I was having issues with the heavy wool pleating for the skirt.  Completing the pleating is challenging with the heavy blanket like wool fabric.
 The tabs were also a bit fiddly as they had to be cut in half and attach them to the base of the doublet. Reminds me of petals but some finishing is needed to lay a little flatter. I used the linen ties to make sleeve attachment decorations.

  I was able to use the larger tabs to have cuff decorations and with the pleating this skirt doesn't need hemmed. Just the correct length. Love the color.
Very pleased in how this turned out over all. I also made a two wool aprons for more middle lower class outfits. I have one green and will dye the other brown. So considering  my options.
  

Wooly day,

Marrin O'Kealy

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Spun, woven, sewn, and embroidered

Well the pieces of the jacket are assembled. I did need some modern help keeping seams together even with strong stitches. So I had much seam reinforcement with wool to make sure rip out in handwoven fabric was avoided. There are areas I am watching to keep from warping as the garment is worn. So going to show a progress gallery from spindle to loom to garment.











Progress is slow by steady we all know it wins the race, said the tortoise.

Marrin O'Kealy

Sunday, April 15, 2018

Ice Dragon 2018

Well uncertain of the results due to technical difficulties for the Ice Dragon Pentathlon Though certain I captured toy category. Some pics to share. Will update this when more news is available.

Though this is a German outfit from a friend. As I had won the hat in a raffle the gown recently came up for sale. So all credit to the garb goes to Lady Selene of Nithgard. Just lucky our measurements are super close.

The salon all set up for snacks of friends and passers by. Ate much fruit and veg and stayed hydrated.


My entry was put both in accessories and in toys. Results as forthcoming due to technical difficulties. My scores are good, solid though going to see about going through the suggestions for improvement. A ways room for becoming better.

Some wonderful tokens of appreciation left behind by admirers.
Hoping to get started on the next doll soon. As time ticks away for next years Ice Dragon Pent.

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Gentry Lady's Wardrobe Gallery



Showing the wool fitted lady's waistcoats with shirt's and kirltes underneath.   Just love how they look with the coordinating silk kirtle underneath, just sets apart from my previous work. Hoping to have the jackets completely trimmed and fastenings by the end of April.














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