The more things change.

After spending a lot of time making several different late period english garments, I am reverting back to my interest in middle eastern. Specifically Ottoman Turk. Why you ask? Fancy fabrics, embroidery and appliques. COOL COOL COOL. I had done some preliminary research several years ago, but didn't find enough to get a good grasp. Now I know a little more. There still isn't a lot of information available but I have more resources.

Which is both helpful and not helpful. I don't want to just use someone else's information but I also don't see a lot of sense in recreating the wheel. My friend T gave me a lot of books to scan for pictures, and has offered to get some documentation on various items I have said I plan to create. (He's actually getting the documentation from another friend, but still someone else's work).

It's too bad the person that I know has all the information is too far away to get together for coffee and verify my ideas (it does help me to bounce my ideas off someone else). On the other hand we do have a mutual friend who would be happy to enable my addiction er.... introduce me to her. (we have met a couple times - but never in the 'hi, I'd like to exploit your knowledge' way.)

It will be a nice change from the 'cotehardie' set and I am sure I can find some use for the Tudor pieces.

Too Busy

I haven't worked on this dress since before Christmas. I'll get it done some day. Now I'm busy making summer stuff. Lots of lovely cote (or gothic fitted gowns - I suppose). But lots of lineny goodness.

Summer has come and I am busy with yard work and planting gardens.

I have two more projects in the works. I am planning a black linen cote with gold roses embroidered on it for my Kingdom's first Rose Tourney. It's suppose to happen this fall.

I am also planning a pair of knit silk hose. I have the 2/20 silk I am going to dye it a lovely gold color.

If I get even half of this stuff done by fall I will be uber impressed.

Some Little Progress

Life is just too busy.
But I have managed to get a little bit of work done.

Wow!

By the time I found the camera and time to take pictures - I couldn't remember the password for this blog. But I finally found it and here we are, with pictures

Here is the new project

The under gown (pinned roughly to my able assistant)


















The doublet and overskirt


















The fabrics




































The front piece, the interlining and the lining cut out and ready to start sewing.

A new project.

Yesterday the new dress makers dummy arrived. I put it together and then put the new dress on it, in order to check for fit. I'm planning to sew this one entirely by hand using period methods of construction.

I'm still in love with the fabric. It is a lovely tourquise geometric weave with gold accents. The fabric is cotton (or maybe a poly cotton).

The kirtle is a peacock colored wool. I think the bodice for the kirtle is not right. I think I have enough fabric to cut a new front.

I need to cut lining and interlining for all of it (well I have interlining cut for the doublet) I think I want to use linen for the lining. I could use some pretty silk, but it doesn't cool well and the kirtle is wool. Which is why there isn't more done. I have to find enough pieces of nice linen or use the silk.

I also pressed the chemise. I'm missing pieces for the chemise. I also emptied another box and put the stuff that was in it away (mostly).

When I find the camera I will take pictures.

Blogs abound

I have had so much fun with the knitting blog I have decided to start one for my other interest.

I love recreating history as part of the SCA. It is a great outlet for many creative interests.

I intend to use this to share: dress diaries, scribal endeavors and adventures in research.