Saturday, April 4, 2020

Home Cooking.. Well Sort Of..

I am working on some cosmetic recipes from the American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty. So today I mixed up some fat as in recipe mentioned with bees wax, spices and essential oils to make a Mareschal Pomatum. I have some more to add to my mix. Although I have my trusty mortal and pestle near by to grind up the rest of the spices and add the starch after I double boil the mixture to a liquid again. It smells great already. Today was going to be picking up other essentials anyway, so picked up the supplies to make the hair powder as well.

I like the brownish color of the Mareschal mix for both the pomatum and the hair powder. The closer to hair colored cosmetics makes more sense for what I am trying to achieve with 16th century hair styles. This would be better for my hair than modern products without the heavy chemicals and other additives. Plus I could use this as a hair moisturizer for those days when I don’t wash my hair, which is a lot.  I have a feeling there were similar concoctions for hair and skin in the 16th century. Although I feel this later source is a good place to safely start.

My hair is naturally curly and thick, so combing is difficult and the ends like to split. It takes my hair twice as long to grow since it coils. My scalp and hair are dry so regular washing is problematic since it strips hair of its natural oils. So I had to adopt alternative methods to care for my hair way before it was popular to find natural methods for hair care. My hair took over a decade to grow below my shoulders. Currently it sits mid back and I only had the ends cut 4 years ago, prior that span I had not had it cut in 10 years. I needs the ends trimmed again but it’s super healthy and the snags only occur at the ends. The last hair dresser was impressed with my hair and how healthy it was for not being cut regularly. I told her my methods and she mentioned that it works keep it up.

So my goal is to make the hair powder this weekend and to finish off the minor details of the pomade mix.  The shoes as mentioned in my prior post are in the mail. Should be at my house by Monday. So lots to look forward to keeping things in a Tudor period slant as I can. Although it’s good to branch out and keep an eye on other time frames. It’s amazing when you can walk back the methods and the research. 

 Be well and stay Safe,

 THL Marrin O’Cadhla . 
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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