The Needles Excellency

30 September 2005

Off To Spring War

I'm off to war. Back monday with pictures.

# posted by Laren @ 2:01 PM 0 Comments

27 September 2005

I'm Back, Did You Miss Me?

I've been off line for a while. I've been busy. Work was just getting too much so I took some leave. I had plenty to do to get ready for Spring War so it was good timing. So I made up the green wool undertunic. It only took me a few hours to cut and sew up, but I love the look of hand finished seams, so it took me a while to do all of those. But it's done now and it looks pretty good. The weather has taken a turn for the worse, so it will be good to have lots of nice wool to wear at night. I also made up some detachable sleeves for my Elizabethan surcoat/gown. So it's now day and night wear. I am going to try and get some nice photos at Spring War. I will post if I do.

On the embroidery front, I only managed to pick up the blackwork shirt again yesterday but I had a dedicated day of sewing, so managed to put in seven hours on it. Here is the progress picture.

Below is a picture of Cleopatra (aka Bubba) trying to help me.

# posted by Laren @ 11:46 AM 0 Comments

15 September 2005

Shirt Progress

Another few hours on the shirt. This is progress at 11hrs.

In other news, a new fabric shop opened in the last few weeks and they have WOOL!! So I checked it out yesterday. They had limited supply but enough to get me excited. I got 5m of bottle green in a nice tabby weave. I plan to make an Anlgo-Saxon tunic. This will be the undertunic to go with my maroon over tunic. I also have the wool voile for the veil, that just needs hemming. I am hoping to get the tunic done for Spring War in a couple of weeks. Might be plain, due to lack of time, but I do plan on doing some embroidery for around the neck and cuffs, possibly the bottom hem, depending on time etc.

I also picked up some wool blend in black. I have been hanging out for this as its the final bit I need to make my overdress. It will be a pale camel with black trim, after the two women on the left in the Lucas de Heere drawing from 1570. This will give me something to wear over my olive dress, that is warm but not as full on as my black ropa type coat.

I also got 3 and a bit m of a nice dark brown. Nothing it mind but it will come in handy for something.

That's about it for now. My next big project will be 12th Night, 2006. We are hosting and since I'm Lady in Waiting to our Baroness, I think I am going to have to come up with something nice. Only problem is that it is going to be stinking hot!! I might need to have several outfits. Something for the day, something for Court and something for after Court.

# posted by Laren @ 1:21 PM 0 Comments

14 September 2005

Movie Magic In Stockton

The movies came to my sleepy seaside suburb (nice aliteration!) yesterday. A small budget Aussie movie was filming in the local supermarket. I got to hear someone say "Action!" and "Cut!" Most cool. Here are a few piccies, not very exciting. They even had their own cappachino machine on the footpath!!

# posted by Laren @ 1:17 PM 0 Comments

13 September 2005

Blackwork Shirt Body Started

I have been getting some stitching in here and there. Got a couple of hours done on Sunday. Here is the progress on the body panel of the blackwork shirt at six hours work. I have to try my dress on to work out how far I have to go down with the decoration. I don't want to do more than will be seen.

# posted by Laren @ 9:48 AM 0 Comments

12 September 2005

Busy Weekend

I had to run the Arts and Sciences comp at my SCA Group Sunday. Not many entries, but that was due to it being cancelled and moved so much. But what we go was nice. Hopefully, the next one will be better attended.

We went out to Adams friends place for dinner. Didn't get home to 11pm. So pretty tired on Monday morning.

# posted by Laren @ 9:46 AM 0 Comments

10 September 2005

Walk on the Beach

No sewing today. I had planned on doing a bit but housework and other things got in the way. Adam decided he wanted to go for a walk. So we walked along the beach. The beach is about one block away from our house.

This is looking from the bottom of our street towards the breakwater and Nobbys Lighthouse.

This is a close up of Nobbys, the little bits of colour in the sky are people with parasails and boards.

A closer close up of Nobbys and the parasails. They are trying to get permission to built a restaurant on top of Nobbys.

This is a picture of part of the City Centre of Newcastle.

# posted by Laren @ 9:35 AM 0 Comments

08 September 2005

Bit of Fluff

Attempts at sewing over the last couple of nights have ended in failure. I should have the house to myself Saturday, so with a bit of luck, I will get a bit of sewing done.

I added a bit of fluff to the blog. Near the top of the left hand menus is a GuestMap button. It allows you to put a "pin" into a map to show where you are. Just a bit of fun, have a go if you are so inclined.

# posted by Laren @ 9:19 AM 0 Comments

05 September 2005

Rest Day

I didn't feel like doing anything tonight so I gave it a miss and just watched TV. Sometimes you just need a break.

# posted by Laren @ 10:43 AM 1 Comments

04 September 2005

Wizard Outfit

Spent today working on an outfit for Adams cousin John. He is going to a fantasy themed wedding and needed an outfit. He asked me to help him make it and I said yes. So that is what I did for most of today. I got the wizard coat and lining done. I needed to do a fitting for the bottom hem, which I did and I started and finished sewing on some fake gems around the front border. So all I have to do now is put the lining in.

# posted by Laren @ 10:41 AM 0 Comments

03 September 2005

Progress Pictures So Far

Below is a progress picture of what I have done so far. It includes the two underarm gussets, the two cuffs, the collar and the two sleeves. I managed to get a bit of sewing done today at Adams Mum and Dad's place. We went there for an early Fathers Day.