New Polychrome Jacket at V & A

I was doing my regular "embroidery" search on the V and A website. A new polychrome jacket (T.106:1 to 4-2003) has been added. Arms are separate from body, very much in the style of other similar jackets. Of interest is the notation at the bottom of the description:

Accepted in lieu of inheritance tax by HM Government and allocated to the Victoria and Albert Museum

It makes you wonder what else is sitting out there in all those English country houses!

Also, more details of the front part of another jacket (T.259-1926), this one has three very close ups, including the back of one section.

If neither of the links work, search for "linen jacket".

Also new, another uncut slip of lemons and lemon blossoms (CIRC.657-1927) and a new "blackwork" shirt ( T.112-1972).

Out of my period but intriguing - a story sampler by Elizabeth Parker

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Thread Porn

Got my order from China of silks. They are similar to Eterna stranded but they don't break into the 12 strands like Eterna. It is more like a floss, so more similar to what was used in the pre-16th Century period. Also, way cheaper. There are 10-12 colours per bunch, with about 15m per skein at about $20AU per bunch ($17US). So works out about 1/5th cost of Eterna. Each bunch is one colour, from very dark to almost white. And all colours have similar shades, so they all work with each other. I will post photos in a couple of days, I left my camera at work.

Want to get some more prep work done today. So I transfered about 12 sets of Bayuex motifs to the wool fabric, ready for sewing. Need to get some more wools for that.

Got the coif onto the frame. I am using the same floral designs from the sweetbag on the coif, but the coif will be worked in detached buttonhole and other surface stitches. I managed to get about 3 hours done on it, started with the central honeysuckle. I love detached buttonhole, you get the coverage and speed of couching, but the beauty and strength of needlelace.

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House Work

Dad and Sheila did a good job around the house. I was expecting to help but by the time I got home from work, they'd fixed the roof (not leaking as such, blocked gutters) and not only fixed the back deck (loose hand rail) but put a coat of undercoat on it! On the bad side, Dad found termites. So now I have to get those sorted out asap.

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Instant Messaging

If anyone is bored and would like to chat via Instant Messaging, here are my usernames. I have Trillian, so an can receive all types of IM listed below:

• Yahoo Messenger ID: laren_oz
• ICQ UIN: 816595
• MSN: laren@hotmail.com
• AIM Screenname: larenoz

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Copying and Pasting

Spent most of last night either tidying up and/or transfering all my data from backup DVD to the new hard drive. I bought the new harddrive yesterday morning before work. It's all back now and email back up and running so I will be quicker getting back to people. You might want to check previous posts because I've added some more update pictures.

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Musical Tastes - A Meme

Prompted by renunciation of death metal, I thought I might attempt a bit of a meme. So here it is. List your favourite 10 musical artists, with bonus points to those who have the most obscure or varied taste (I think I have a chance of winning this!):

• Redgum
• George Thorogood
• Piaf
• Johnny Clegg
• Tom Lerher
• Billy Bragg
• Midnight Oil
• Billy Joel
• Duran Duran
  
• Bruce Springsteen
  

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My Love of Death Metal - Not!

Just to clarify, I'm not a huge fan of death metal. It was just that compared to the Icelandic entry, the Finnish death metal looked good. And besides, it's Eurovision, when all pretense of good musical taste is put aside to wallow in the kitchness, the drama and the drunken Irish commentary of Terry Wogan.

My main problem with the Icelandic entry, which was promoted as an act within an act, was that it was flagrantly taking the piss out of Eurovision AT Eurovision. This is an act of sacrelige and the job of the television public! It just wasn't on.

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Data is Back

Just a quick update. I just picked up my data DVD's from the Post Office. Looks like they were able to get everything back. So now, I just need to get a new hard drive and I am back in business. I should have got one on the weekend. Ah well.

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Movie and Sewing

I must have been tired, I didn't wake up until 11.45am Sunday morning. Shopping is a tiring business. So I made some lunch and watched Underworld Evolution. A bit bloody for my tastes (I KNOW it's a vampire movie, but you don't have to drown in gore). Then some sewing on the sweetbag. Also arranged the various beads that I have been madly buying to make earrings and stuff out of. Then more sewing and dinner. Then more sewing. I didn't have much housework to do. I decided not to go to the May Day tourney, wasn't feeling up to it.

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Shopping Frenzy

I had planned on doing some maintanence around this house this weekend, but it turns out that is planned for next weekend. Dad is coming down to help me with it. So I went shopping and spent a ridiculous amount of money. The break up settlement money came through and I decided to buy some nice clothes (well, nice for me) and a good pair of going out shoes.

I ended up with 6 winter tops, two dress camisoles (to wear under other tops), two plain camisoles (also to wear under other tops, especially the ones that are a bit low cut to wear to work otherwise), a good pair of black mid-height heal shoes (they were really expensive, but very well made, extremely comfortable - who as someone who never wears heals, this is a major point) and a replacement pair of walking shoes. Also the odd bit here and there (necklace - but one I have been after for ages, it will go with just about everything I own).

Got home and was exhausted but managed a couple of hours of sewing while watching tv.

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Visit and Eurovision

Dad was down tonight. Found my missing car key as we were getting the folding bed set up. We had a quick meal at the local Chinese restaruant. Then watched a bit of tv, including the second semi of Eurovision. Love the Finnish death metal, couldn't believe how bad the Iceland entry was. I'd have preferred Bjork!! Go the death metal. No sewing.

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Win Stuff - Shameless Self-Promotion

In an attempt to get some more activity on the Historical Needlework Resources forum, I am having a give away. Basically, for every post you make in the forums, your name goes in the draw. At the end of May, I draw a name and they get sent some embroidery goodies. Requests for specific stuff will be considered.

So come on over to the Historical Needlework Resources forums, look around, ask questions, post your blog address (if it's needlework related) and you might win.

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Making Progress - Sweetbag

I finally feel like I am making progress! The tent stitch is still slow going. So last night before I started on that, I got out my coif pattern and got the transfer ready. Tonight I will put it on the linen. I am thinking of doing two lots, one to do in polychrome and one to do in blackwork. I'd like to have examples of the two main sorts of embroidered coifs.

I also managed to get 3 hours done on the sweetbag, in between being distracted by Survivor and yes, I hate to admit it, Big Brother. I had originally planned to do all the black outlines, but I found this very tedious, so my plan now is to work in sections - outline, fill, goldwork, then next bit. It gives the impression of making headway. If I did all the goldwork, then I would be faced with many, many hours of tent stitch.

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More On Plaited Braid Stitch

Thanks for the nice comments on the plaited braid stitch. It really does make any piece just look right. I've heard people say it was easy to learn, but never believed them. Now that I have got my head around it, it is not too bad. I tried following Leon Conrads instructions, but in the end, it was a one page hand out with three images that helped me learn it. The key to figuring out the stitch is realising it is a three step stitch, where you only do the first to steps once, each time you begin working each section of your design. You then repeat the third stitch for however long needed. And to keep my mind straight when doing the final stage, a mantra of "over, under" then "under, over" really helps.

I am keen to get my coif started. I am using exactly the same floral designs as the sweet bag, but will be using detatched buttonhole instead of tent stitch. I want to start this because I think I will get more bang for my buck, ie much shinier silk with this technique.

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Goss Vestment Pin Cushion

I found this website while surfing around. At An Innocent Aboard, we have a very nice pin cushion based on the designs and techniques found in the Goss Vestments. Also some other nice posts if you are into historical recreation.

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Victory in the Plaited Braid Stitch Battle

I had a bit of a lazy day Sunday. Did a bit of housework and made sure the afternoon was for embroidery. I decided to have another go at the Plaited Braid Stitch. I got it first go. All the previous attempts must have sunk in! ;-)

Here is the work I got done on the Elizabethan Sweetbag. About 5 hours for the day. It works up very quickly, but I am going to go through alot of gold thread, as it's still catching alot, so lots of waste.

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Shakespeare Festival Demo

Today we went up to Gloucester for the Shakespeare Festival. I like doing this demo, firstly because it suits my personna and secondly, my Dad lives up here, so it's a good way to have a day out and visit family at the same time. It was an early start at 7am but it's an hour and half drive.

We set up our Baronial car port and put our stuff underneath.

This is some of the Arts and Sciences we had on display.
This is a couple of the lads looking after the armour display.

It was a nice day, lovely weather. We had two fighting and two dancing demos. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. And they said they definately want us back next year.

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Bayeux Bird II

We have another big demo tomorrow so I wanted another Bayuex style patch done. I finished this one tonight.

This is the three together.

Got an early start tomorrow.

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Bayeux Lion

This one took me a couple of days to do as the Boy decided he wanted to give me a cuddle and so no sewing for an hour or two. Can't complain, his cuddles are rare and worth the wait.

So here is another Bayeux animal, a lion. I am really happy with how these are turning out. If no one buys them, I am thinking of making a tunic or coat and decorating them with these roundals.

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Bayeux Bird

I finally got around to doing a Racaire inspired, Bayeux animal. I'm using Appletons crewel wool on a second hand wool blanket. I really like the colours. I am tempted to get one of the old blankets and decorate that, rather than cutting it up. I am going to make this bird into a roundal, probably one of a pair, and see if I can sell them. I thought they would look quite nice sewn next to the clasps on a cloak.

I don't think I will get any embroidery done tonight. I have to fix the front of my black dress. It is too long and we have another demo this weekend, so I need to raise the front by an inch or so, so I don't keep stepping on it when I am walking around.

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Miners Rescued

Great news, after being stuck in a 1.5m x 1.5m cage, 1km underground for the last two weeks, the two miners trapped at Beaconsfield in Tasmania, Australia have walked out of the pit. This has had blanket coverage here. One miner was killed and his funeral is today. Coming from a steel and mining town, it's been a hot topic here. Great to see them out.

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Good News, Annoying News

The good news is that the guy from the data recovery service just called. They have got my data back and it's ready to send. Annoying news is that last week I had to come up with $400 for house insurance and now I don't have enough money to get my data back. So I will have to wait until late next week to get it back. At least I am getting it back, well I hope so anyway.

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Weekend

Went shopping on Saturday morning. You'd think I was asking for the world. All I wanted was a bra that wasn't white, black or beige. Hah, what a joke, no chance. I know I'm no size 10, but with as many people my size as there is the average size 10, you'd think there would be more choice than just granny bras. I think I am going to start buying stuff from America. They have nice underwear for larger sizes.

On Saturday night we went out for a work collegues birthday. We had cocktails. They were nice. We had dinner, which was also lovely. But I am now broke. With the unexpected house insurance payment from earlier in the week, I now don't have enough money to pay to get my recovered data back. And I don't get paid till next week, this sucks.

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Cute Cat Photos

Not much to report. Back to work today. I have a tension headache already and it isn't even lunch time. I got a bit of sewing done last night. I got about 15 sets of collars and cuffs in wool drawn up and put into bags with the yarn to work them. This should speed things up, as all I have to do is grab a bag and start sewing. I am doing them in three sizes. Mostly small (which should fit most people) but some medium and large as well. I might also do some Elizabethan blackwork collar and cuff sets as well. They shouldn't take too long. And I was thinking of what to do with the Chinese silk I've got. Maybe some silk on silk keyhole necklines for some 12th Century stuff. I will have to see how time goes.

Now for your viewing pleasure, some cute cat photos. First, Bubba in my embroidery basket. And then on the bed this morning, it was cold. I will have to post some of the Boy or he will get jealous. He poses so well for the camera!

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This and That

Good news is that it looks like I will be able to get most of the data on my crashed drive back. Bad news is that it is probably going to cost about $500. I am a bit worried cause the guy said there is only 7Gb of data on the drive, I thought there was more than that. As long as I get my embroidery stuff and SCA stuff back, I don't really care about the rest.

Thanks for the comments about the new outfit. I know that the bodice is a bit loose. But it is a much better fit than my other wool dress, even if it doesn't look like it. I managed to get some help making it fit better. But part of the problem is it's hard to fit a dress on yourself. I've asked for help but it is a bit hard to come by. I think part of the problem is that people have this idea that I am good at making clothes. But I'm not really that good. I don't have the patience for it. So it's hard to get help.

As far as underwear for this type of outfit, the received wisdom is that everyone wore pairs of bodies ie corsets. That might be the case, but I'm not entirely convinced that all levels of society would have worn them. Upper class, yes, but they seem an awful lot of work for someone at the lower levels of society to bother with. I think some sort of breast binding more likely, or having inbuilt support in the bodice (perhaps hemp cord) rather than a separate garment. I have no evidence for this. Just what I think.

The bodice is fairly tight, but not so much as to be uncomfortable. It could probably be tighter, but I can't get it there by myself. Also, there is no boning. If I was to put boning in the front of it, it would stick into me when I sit down. I also don't use canvas to interline the bodice, only drill. I can't get the right sort of canvas, and I think it looks stiff. I don't like too stiff clothing, because at most events, I am working all the time, doing various jobs. If all I was doing was sitting around, I might go for something more formal, but part of the reason I do middle class/merchant class is because that reflects what I do in the SCA. I work, and my clothes reflect that.

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New Outfit Photos

The Bloodtree Festival was on yesterday. We had a pretty big group go down, about 20 people, including 7 fighters. The crowd loved them. As soon as we arrived, people were asking when the first fight would be!!

I brought along various bits of my embroidery to put out on display and there was some chain mail. Men love chain mail.

Here is my outfit, first the new black dress, then with the sleeves added and then the green gown. I'm looking a bit crumpled because we didn't get a chance to do photos until the end of the day.

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