Racaire has asked how I made the pearl head/hair pins. It's a pretty simple process. I bought the finest (as in narrowest), longest pins I could get. These were dressmaking pins. I then used some pre-drilled freshwater pearls that I'd bought from one of the merchants here in Lochac. I think they were $8 for a 16" string. The holes were drilled on the long axis of the pearl. Then I just threaded the pearls onto the pins. Most of them were a tight fit, and didn't require any further treatment. If the pearls were a bit loose, then I would place a very small amount of suitable (ie could be used on natural materials and metal) glue near the head of the pin, and slid the pearl into place. Let it dry. Done.

I finally got the timetable for A&S at Spring War sorted out. No volunteers, so I will be running all the classes. For those interested, here at the class descriptions:

Five Basic Period Embroidery Stitches

This is two hour, hands-on class and will look at five basic period embroidery stitches used in the SCA period. It will look at where, when and how stitches were used as well as a hands on section to learn the five stitches. Materials will be supplied, but if you can, please bring a small embroidery hoop. Handout will be supplied.

Research - Don't Panic

This class looks at some techniques for doing research and presenting that research as an article or as documentation. Handout will be supplied.

Getting Started with Garb - T-Tunics

This class will cover the basics of rectangular construction of "T-Tunics". There will be practical demonstrations and examples of the technique. Handout will be supplied.

Clothing Symposium

This will not follow a class format, but will be a group symposium where participants will have the opportunity to show items they have completed or are working on. This is also a great opportunity to ask questions, get ideas and generally chat about clothing.

Embroidery On Clothing - Anglo-Saxon

This class will look at embroidery techniques used by the Anglo-Saxons and how it can be used with clothing. Includes finding appropriate design ideas, embroidery techniques and patterns. Handout will be supplied.

Basic Tabletweaving

This class will cover the basics of tablet weaving, including how to make cards, threading cards for weaving, pattern basics and weaving basics. A kit will be available for a small donation. Handout will be supplied.

Writing Documentation

This class will look at the issues around writing documentation and some hints on how to do it effectively. Handout will be supplied.

I made up some little give aways ready for the weekend. I like to have small gifts on hand for anyone who does me a favour or who I have a nice chat with. I also give them out to people who run classes for me (won't be too many of those this weekend). Normally, it's something like a wooden needlecase or bone thread bobbins, but I got something similar to these at Festival last year and I really liked the idea. They are easy to make and very useful. Since so many people wear headgear that requires pins to make them work, some fancy pins are always handy.

I managed to get Guy's tablet woven garters finished. They are made from cotton perle, since this is cheap and hard wearing. They are in his heraldic colours. They are 2.8m long and about 2.5cm wide. I will give them to him this weekend at Spring War, since he now lives in Sydney.

Yes, I am alive. I've been down for the last week with a really bad bout of flu. Finally back at work. You can tell I was really sick because I actually wanted to get back to work and do agendas and minutes. How bad is that! Feeling much better now.

Looks like voting for the next clothing project is leaning heavily towards a Middle Eastern coat. Spring War is this weekend and we have a lot of nursing mothers in our group at the moment. They all decided that Persian might be the way to go. So everyone is making Persian outfits for this weekend. I might see what I can do with the fabric by the weekend.

I did a bit of embroidery last night, but not enough to post. I also sorted out some more articles into folders. The pile of stuff to be filed is down to about 1 foot high now!

Here is a photo of the brocade fabric. The palmettes are about 5cm/2" wide. So quite a small pattern. Can't decide what I should use it for. It would make a great Venetian, but I don't really want one of those. So I am thinking, a tunic for my "t-tunics don't have to be boring" campaign, an Eastern European or a Middle Eastern Coat.

I just got 20m of wool at $5m! Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy. Got 5m each of tomato red, black, tan and royal blue. Best of the colours they had. Would've prefered deeper red, but better than nothing at all!! I don't think it's pure wool, but at that price I can compromise. It's the same stuff as most of my othe wool clothing is made out of, and I was happy paying $12m for that!! Might have to see if they have any left at the weekend....

Added a new widget to my sidebar. It let's my dear readers do a key word search of my library. Not all my books are up, but feel free to have browse.

Jane's LibraryThing Catalogue

As part of my continuing drive to get organized, I finally got a small bookcase today for all my research folders and my magazines. I've been after one for months, but I haven't been able to get one the right size. I also wanted a particular colour. But today, wanting it over and done with one. I got a raw pine bookcase. As the guy in the shop pointed out, more expensive than the nice, white malamine one, but also not as strong. I can always paint the pine. So all my research folders now have a home as do my scrapbooking magazines.

I also cleaned out my scrapbooking mags. One of the girls at work wanted some after I showed my Northern Territory album. I good chance to purge. So I now have magz declutered with space for more.

Last night I worked on a pair of tablet woven garters I promised one of our Pelicans. I am trying to get jobs I have promised to other people out of the way (Hey Nik, must be something in the air!!). But that's pretty boring to look at, so here is an update of the rooster.

The mass production of tabards can be boring. Last night I did the side seams on the first 10 of the 20 tabards I need to get done by Spring War. They are very basic. Two rectangles, sewing at each shoulder. Then I am making up detatchable Arts and Sciences heraldry to put on them.

I have hired mercenaries to fight for the Arts and Sciences at Spring War. I think the battle should be literal as well as symbolic!!

I also plan on making some little flags, and maybe even an A & S dress. I also hope to get the musicians in on the act to make some noise and the kids as well. I want SPECTACLE!!

The more I look at it, the more I need to fix up my Green coat. The front lapels are too big. It should be pretty easy to fix, just remove trim and shrink the front edges. I also want to add pocket slits in the side. I think that will look cool. I should also get the camel coat done as well, should only take a few hours. Just in time for summer! ;-)

Over the last twelve months, in an effort to tidy the house, anything without a home got put in the craft room. As a result, very little craft was getting done because I couldn't see the floor to walk on it. So I spent ALL of saturday cleaning the room. Well, more tidying than cleaning. Now I have the cupboards in the other room, everything actually has a home. So all the sewing stuff in one cupboard, quilting in another and all scrapbooking stuff in one place. Hopefully, it will stay organised for a while. So I should be able to get some sewing done, I need to start the tabards for Spring War.