Saturday, October 2, 2010

A New Era for Living History

Over the past month and half or so, David and I have been slowly working our way into learning more about other reenactment organizations in our area. The 1860's is "home", to both of us, but it gets monotonous after a while. We looked for a Rev. War group, but to no avail. At last, we did find a local group that reenacts Medieval era activities and festivities - the SCA.

For me, it was like returning to my first love! Although I have never participated in the SCA before, my first introduction to living history was spectating at an SCA event which happened to be the same year I also attended my first Civil War reenactment. I was thrilled by the costumes, the accents, the gallant courtesy. The very smell of the air was different, the people seemingly busily employed in their demonstrations and persuits. The tents were festive and colorful, ladies with magnificent gows and rich trimmings stepped lightly over the grass, their trains skimming over the ground. Mysterious gentleman with sweeping cloaks and dark hoods silently glided along, magicians and story tellers entertained groups of eager listeners and fighters clad in padded doublets and chain mail prepared for the trounament while the king and queen, resplendent in their finery, looked on.

A few weeks ago we contacted the Baron of Illiton and went to our first SCA meeting. When we walked in, some people were busy making Viking style shoes. We spent a few  hours visiting and talking to people and asking hundreds of questions and we both left in a glow of satisfaction and excitement.

In the meantime I was busy researching clothing of the era. I really had very little idea of where to start, so I owe a ton of gratitude to Sarah at A Most Peculiar Mademoiselle, who answered many questions, gave me great advice and places to look for information. Now that I've spent a few hours each day the past few weeks looking into 14th century clothing, I think I am getting an idea of where to start. I have come across so many fabulous websites that I am so eager to share with you all, and hopefully will as bit by bit I begin on our clothing.

I've been working on building up my scanty stores of linen and wool, since those two fibers seem to be the best choice for working attire of the 14th century. I have ordered from Fashion Fabrics Club, Fabric-store.com and Fabric.com and think I have most of what I need to make things for David and the boys and I. Fashion Fabrics Club was a bit of a disappointment since the 5 yards of blue linen I ordered from them turned out to be something like aida cloth - suitable for cross-stitch embroidery but not clothing. :( I was very pleased with the linens I got from Fabric-store.com and so hope to get my kirtle linen from them. . .as soon as the samples I ordered arrive and I decide on a colour. :) Hopefully today.

The Medieval Tailors Assistant by Sarah Thursfield was recommended by Sarah of A Most Peculiar Mademoiselle and my copy finally got here yesterday. It is full of helpful information on how to select proper fabrics, hand stitches, diagrams for patterns for gowns, kirtles, tunics, doublets, undergarments, children and baby clothing and headware. I have been persuing it in my spare time and am so glad I got this very useful and informative book.

So - things may be taking on a bit of a different look in the coming weeks and months. Soon our Civil War reenacting season will be finishing up for the year so I will have more time to devote to making our 14th century clothing. I tentatively hope to have basic ensembles for us ready by Illitons 12th Night party in January. Hopefully!

Love,
Sarah

18 comments:

  1. I can't wait to see your new attire :-)

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  2. Oh! How fun is that! I've always wondered if I would like that era....I suspect I might. I am excited to see what you come up with, and to find out what the best links are for references. Enjoy!...and I will vicariously!

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  3. Try:

    http://www.renaissancefabrics.net/index.php

    for good quality linens and wools.

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  4. Looking forward to see your progress into the 14th century! It's a fun one :)

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  5. Oh my what fun! I've always loved the medieval era...though I can't say I know much about it ;-) I will greatly enjoy seeing what you do...and become inspired by it no doubt.

    I have some wool yardage by the way. I may have some(if it is suitable for your needs) that I could pass on. Let me know what you think :-)

    Lots of love,
    Sommer

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  6. You have been one incredibly busy lady! I am always impressed at what you accomplish. I can't wait to see your foray into medieval clothing.

    Sorry I haven't sent an email yet, it's being composed in my head, but I've hardly had time to breathe, let alone do much else. I'm taking a sanity/is there really life outside my little world break and wanted to check your blog.

    Your boys are getting so big! It seems like they should still be little boys. They are darling though.

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  7. Oh Courtney I know EXACTLY what you mean! I haven't been visiting or commenting on many blogs lately either since I've been absorbed in the little world that is my home and family. I've been thinking of closing my blog since keeping it up seems like so much WORK and I've been lax on my emails too and consumed with homey interests - not necessarily bad, but I miss my friends. :)

    Sommer, we'll have to get you into the SCA one of these days! I heard there are some good events out in California as that is where the SCA started! I think the clothes are just SO lovely and simply elegant.

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  8. P.S. Sommer, I forgot to add I'd be quite interested in any wools you are thinking of getting rid of. . .what prices would you like for them? What colours/yardage? I'd love more details! :) I think I'm becoming a wool-aholic instead of a generic fabriholic. :)

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  9. Maybe instead of closing your blog, just update it less frequently. That is what I am doing right now. I feel no obligation to post consistently, and it's a HUGE weight off my mind. We still go and do thing, life is still happening, but between all that is going on I would feel harried if I had to maintain my blog consistently. It also frees me up to work a little more slowly on my posts. I have a few that I am working on as inspiration strikes me. Some days I work on the text portions, some days pictures and it's a lot easier to save and walk away. I hope those ideas can be of help/use to you. I would hate to see your blog stop for good, it's always a bright spot in my day.

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  10. Courtney, I agree completely. That is how I have been feeling about keeping up my blog; harried and stressed. It just isn't really fun for me anymore and I feel a flat lack of interest when I try to write a post. :( Maybe less frequent posting is the remedy, or maybe taking a few months break. I've noticed a lot of blogs I have been reading for a long time seem to have gone into a similar slump, or are less frequently updated. . .maybe the mad fad of blogging is slowing down right now. :)

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  11. Ooh, that sounds like so much fun! :) I can't wait to see what you create!

    Blessings,
    Luci

    PS: please don't stop blogging! I went through a "down time" in September ... it was just a busy season. I love reading your blog, whether you write once a month or once a day! :)

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  12. How exciting!
    Cna't wait to see the wonders you perform with fabric!

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  13. I have always been interested in medieval reeacting. I think if I got into anything seriously it would be that era. One thing that puts me off is the expense of linen and wool fabrics. I can't wait to see the garments you make!

    I'd hate to see you stop blogging, Sarah, but I completely understand the temptation to do so. Do what's right for you. I think there are many besides myself who are fine with seeing you just post occasionally when you feel like it. I'd miss you if you disappeared; we'd have to keep up some other way definitely. I have been struggling with thoughts of giving up my blog lately too. Five years ago I blogged for my own enjoyment. Now that I have readers I feel like I am expected to produce something. I think it sort of takes the fun out of things sometimes. I am trying to let that feeling of needing to perform go and just enjoy posting what I want when I want but it still nags me. At this point I am refusing to let myself feel pressured...if people are waiting a long time they are just going to have to be patient. I do know the agony of waiting for a blogger to post a baby announcement so I am trying to be kind with that. It's so exciting for me when other ladies are near their time, I know it'd be cruel to abandon all those waiting with me. :)

    Btw, did you get my check? I'm in no hurry for the dress considering I'm still pregnant but I wanted to make sure you got my mail.

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  14. Thank you for your advice and encouragement, Luci and Emily. It is good to hear how others have dealt with silimar feelings. . .and this is something I've been struggling with for over a year.

    Emily, I think too I feel sort of required to produce something entertaining or informative now that I have followers. Before, when I was just bitty brand new blog, I thought oh, some ladies from Sense and Sensibility may like to see what I work on from time to time, and never thought my blog would be interesting to many at all - now, knowing that people I don't even know and have never heard of, are following my blog is flattering - and I'm grateful - but also a little nerve wracking. Then I feel like I always post about the same old things and that gets redundant. And we have dial up interent so loading pictures is soooooo slloooowww. Writing a little post can take at least an hour or more. And during that time my boys can wreak havoc in our home. But, at least our medieval reenacting stuff will provide some posting material. :)

    Emily, yes, I did get your check and your dress was mailed last week. I hoped it would have arrived by now; hopefully today! We mailed it Thursday when we went out for our anniversary so I remember exactly when it was mailed and where it was mailed! :) (usually I have David drop off packages in the city on his lunch break but this time we got to go to our own small town post office!)

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  15. I requested "The Medieval Tailor's Assistant" through inter-library loan. I admire how you jump in feet first in researching!! I admit my tendency is to be lazy in that area, though I like an accurate reproduction over a "theatre costume" type of garment. I'm excited to see what you come up with... I know it will be wonderful, as always.

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  16. Laura, thank you! I tried to get the book through inter library loan too, but unfortunately it was not in the system. :( I really like the simple shapes and patterns included in the book.

    I was going to originally go with a theater type costume, but once I started thinking about it more, realized I would not be happy with something "farby" :). Plus David wants to wear these outfits more than once, so we will have them to wear to any local SCA events and they will also work fine I think for future Reformation Day Faires.

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  17. Sarah~The SCA sounds great! I'll have to look into that..I've always wanted to get involved with something like that :-)

    As for the wools...I'll send you an email. I have to go look in my box with the wools in them so I can tell you what I have and such. Maybe I'll take some pics too.

    I don't blog very often either. I enjoy it but I don't like feeling tied to a set schedule..because life just kind of happens! Anyhow, I love your blog and would certainly miss it, but I love chatting outside of the blogosphere with you too! I hope you find what works for you my dear!

    Lots of love,
    Sommer

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  18. Could you please contact me? I have tried to contact the webmistress of Illiton and have not heard from her. I am interested in joining. I am particularly fond of Tudor style royalty. Was wondering if there was a place for me to fit in.
    Lady April

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Thank you for your lovely thoughts!