Where DOES the time go?

Not to worry, I'm still working! I made a lovely Norse kaftan for our Princess, and I'll have pics and details up shortly. Meanwhile, I am working on garb for the Prince and Princess of Trimaris's Varangian/ Byzantine Coronation. Unfortunately for my readers, I will not be posting pictures or details on that garb until after Spring Coronation, because I want it to be a surprise, since it is turning out SO luscious. I have gone through almost 4,000 pearls already! A little hint, though: I am making 2 sets: 1, for the Coronation ceremony, modeled on a Byzantine wedding, and another, a mix of Varangian Norse and Byzantine, for their first court.

It's a good thing I elected not to take classes this summer! I have some lovely shetland wool fabric coming in, and I fully intend to FINALLY make myself something! I'm also hoping that I'll get my Italian gown done by May, because my Laurel and her husband will be fighting in Crown Lyst! If I didn't have to eat and sleep, I'd get SO much more done! Did I mention I have a card weaving comision, too?

A Simple Belt for a Princess

Our new Princess needed a belt that wasnt red, because red is a squire's belt in the SCA, and it wouldn't be proper for our Princess to be beholden to anyone. So, I set out to make a belt in the missed-hole technique, in a solid dark blue with a light blue weft that would show through the missed holes.

The belt is 40 cards wide, with a 4-forward, 4-back turning sequence. Instead of having a pattern of a differnt color, though, certain holes are simply empty. Either I used too fine a yarn, or perhaps I should have had more empty holes, because the light blue weft is barely visible in the finished belt. I am not too disappointed, though, because it came out with a pretty, subtle texture.

The buckle is hammered brass, made by my husband. It, too, has a very lovely texture. :)

Next: Italian Renaissance dresses for young girls! Or something....

And so it begins...

I decided to start this blog to catalogue my journey towards becoming a Laurel in the SCA. As the name suggests, I really don't stick to my persona all that much. Early period is, and always will be, my true love, but I dally from time to time in other places and times. My persona in the SCA is 10th century Welsh, which I love because there is so little evidence of what they truly wore, and trying to reasonably conjecture it is interesting. Every now and then, though, I run into a style that really strikes me, and I HAVE to try it, at least once. In my closet right now, next to my early-period gowns, are: several early 14th century cotes, a Saxon Cranach gown, and an early Tudor gown. Currently in the planning stages, which I hope to chronicle on this blog, are:

1. A 14th century cotehardie, braes, and hosen for my husband.

2. A 1540's Italian gown in the style of Elianore de Toledo ( I have 5 yards of olive green silk dupioni for this already, I just need some black silk velvet and 2 different widths of gold trim to realize my inspiration. :) )

3. A Burgundian gown and truncated hennin. ( I have the gown cut out of a lovely olive green wool. It's BEEN cut out for almost 2 years. I need more black rabbit fur for the collar, and some fake black fur for the hem. I am NOT putting real fur on the hem to pick up leaves, sticks, and dirt!)

These projects may take me some time, because silly me volunteered to sew for the new Princess of Trimaris. So, in between making my own projects, I'll also chronicle the things I make for Her Highness. So, on that note, I'm off to weave a belt! Where did I put my shuttle, again?