Little by little...

New sewing needles and another couple of hours of applique on the skirt done...there can't be much left to do surely? Who am I kidding, loads to do yet. When I think I am done I'll have a look from the inside to find all the tiny sections that I have missed. I have decided not to do any more of the couching until the applique is finished because I am worried about it getting caught on something and ruined whilst I manhandle the skirt this way and that around corners and back again. I am also trying to remember to take short breaks instead of marathon sewing sessions..... we'll see how that goes :)

I have also started to collate the documentation for the dress. For those of you not in the Society for Creative Anachronism, documentation is how we describe what it is we are trying to achieve, the methods used, the logic behind the decisions etc etc (or something like that). I think I will try and get it to a suitable standard to enter it into the Order of the Laurel Research and Documentation competition.

http://lochac.sca.org/laurels/node/16

I usually just sew dresses and wear them. If there is a need for additional entries into an Arts and Sciences competition to enable to competition to go ahead, I have been known to more or less give verbal documentation, however I vary rarely, if ever write stuff down.  Perhaps this is the motivation I need to get started. Again, we'll see how that goes.

I have also decided that I need to get this dress finished sometime this millennium. So my new goal is at least 1 hour of work on it each day. Can I clock up hours and take a day off here and there? Hopefully this will mean some more frequent blog entries with progress pictures that actually show more progress.

And just in case I get bored, I am still working on my Italian Renaissance Costume Challenge entry - nearly finished the 'trial' doublet to test the pattern, and have a few more dresses that are required for events for the remainder of the year. I am also learning to make armour for combat archery and in return, teaching some non sewers how to sew their own garb. Did I mention I also have a family (not into SCA) and a full time job :).

Not quite to plan

I planned to spend the afternoon working on the Eleanora dress and managed to sew for an hour before I broke a machine needle......my last machine needle :(  and being a Sunday, there is no where close to get any. That'll teach me for breaking three yesterday finishing the fur trim on my pre Tudor gown (which was finished 5 min before I had to leave for the feast....).

Perhaps tomorrow will be more productive.

Italian Renaissance Costume Challenge Update

I have been working on a partlet for the IRCC. As its only the second partlet I have done, its largely trial and error. I have used a lovely soft linnen, added a machine embroidered blackwork collar and will add a small ruffle edged in lace to the top edge. Most of it is being done by hand, with all of the seams turned under and stitched down. I still need to decide which lace I want to use for the edge....

Italian Renaissance Costuming Challenge update

I finally decided on the blackwork pattern for my new square necked chemise. Luckily the individual embroideries dont take that long to do as they are done on my machine. The design is purchased.

The pattern will run down the centre of the sleeve and around the neckline (straight edge along the opening). I have a similar another pattern similar to the straight section that i will use on the cuff frill.

Medici Archives

Really cool site - digital achieve and photographic documentation of the Medici burial clothes.... lots of pictures. Thanks to 'the Shambles' - the Kingdom of Lochac mailing list for sharing the link.

http://archiviomedici.costume-textiles.com

Eleanora dress - skirt

At last, a picture of the nearly complete skirt. I am going to finish the hem edge with a black velvet guard to protect the satin from dirt and feet. You can see where one of the gold motifs is missing - it hadn't been sewn down yet and came off. Trying to get velvet to stick to delustered satin is nearly impossible when you have to keep moving the fabric. If you look closely at the picture you can see the seam. I closed the side seam and then did the applique over the top so I didnt have to try and match the pattern later.

So far the skirt weighs 1.7kg.

More random costuming

Finished the costumes for a friends book launch - http://www.wolfletters.com/ - Will wanted a couple of Monks costumes suitable for 8th century monk. I'll add pictures from the book launch at the end of the month.

I need something suitable for wearing in the kitchen and my usual Elizabethan garb is a little ott. Today I bit the bullet and started my cotehardie/gothic fitted dress.  Using a Burda pattern, I pinned and adjusted my way to a suitably fitted gown that seems to be working. I have used white linen and double lined the bodice to give it some strength, not sure if its going to be supportive enough though. Tomorrow I have to finish off the seams and then do the eyelets, sleeves and hems. Then after wearing it for a couple of hours I should be able to see where the adjustments are needed for the over dress.

Pencampwr (weekend SCA camping event in Western Australia) is just over a month away and I have a mountain of sewing to do, so its time to just get it done :).