Sunday, December 14, 2014

Coif Blackwork Diary

Picture of extant example from Private collection 
Day 8- All blackwork complete

Day 7- blackwork almost filled in
and some goldwork progress
Day 6- vines now to fill in leaves
Day 5- less progress but halfway
Day four – almost halfway
Day three – making progress
Day two – blackwork continues
Day one – beginning blackwork embroidery


At this point I have ordered the gold thread for all of the goldwork. So I am waiting for it to come in the mail, it should arrive before Christmas. As I am slowly working on all the blackwork. I am keeping in mind my supplies of my silk embroidery thread and being as very frugal as possible for its consumption. I did get in touch with one of my local embroidery suppliers. Just see if they carry more of this particular thread, waiting to hear back.  My very elaborately stumpwork embroidered box that I had purchased on eBay some months back, am dedicating to goldwork supplies only. Since bought an extensive amount from a supplier I found online. Figured this would be a beneficial idea considering not only does the box has some goldwork on it. As well as the opportunity. to try to store my very find materials not only in a beautiful container, but to make sure that they or safely organized.  So my embroidery box with peacocks has all of my silk embroidery threads and general supplies, while my floral embroidered stump work box contains all of my goldwork supplies beads and other accessories for embroidery.

On a literary note, I acquire seven more embroidery books with money or receive for Christmas. They are various different books by an author named Jane Nicholas. She specializes in stump work and goldwork embroidery. Possess one book of hers in regards to 17th-century stump work, and I enjoyed the book so much I found and research other titles that she may have written. I do look forward to receiving these in the mail and adding them to my expanding list of embroidery titles.

On a personal note I got to spend a wonderful weekend with my family going to a German Christmas market called Chriskindel Market.  I had a wonderful time watching the various different ethnic dancers, and they had some fantastic embroidered aprons. Took a few pictures, which I will post later that show this wonderful work. I believe the most of this work is most likely machine embroidery however it is nice to see embroidery out in public. Looking forward to getting either a Nother nutcracker or cuckoo clock however they were very overpriced. So I will have to find some other sources to see if I can add to my collection at sometime later. Despite not having picked up anything from this festival, I still had a lot of lovely time spending with my two sisters and my parents. It was nice to be able to get out and do something festive for the upcoming holiday.

Also on a personal note I adopted up a new kitten. Her name is Star, she is an black long hair cat with a white star in her chest. She happen to run in to a friends house while I was there for our normal Sunday visit. After a clean bill of health from the veterinarian, Star has come to live with me and my other two cats Jasper and Tabatha. It took a while for Jasper and Tabatha to warm up to Star. However there everyone seems to be finally getting along after about a week of adjustment. Star is a real treat because she is more of a lap cat, which my other two are not quite that comfortable. So it is really nice to have such a good natured well behaved and trained kitten.  Was wondering whether or not she had belong to someone before. However she was very thin I look like she had not eaten in several days.  Besides being a lap cat, she very loud purrer. I can tell she's very thankful to have a place to stay food to eat and wonderful affection, so an early gift indeed. 

So in the end working on my plans as scheduled, and plenty of new and exciting things to keep me busy and my personal, SCA life. I want to take this wonderful time before the busyness of 
the season to wish all of my readers and a very Happy Holidays and Prosperous New Year. 

Best Seasons Wishes,

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