The Tudor Revolution

Last month a handful of us from the 16th Italian Workshop on Facebook  got together  (while physically apart) to make a glow up video. We are all missing events & were excited for a chance to play dress up for a bit.  A huge shout out to Amber from DSA Threads for taking on the hits of editing. The video is beautiful  <3 I've listed websites for as many if the participants as I know if you want to check out their individual works.  Other awesome people online! DSA Threads La Bella Donna

This post could  also be called, "Its ok to grow & change your mind."  It's hard to believe that I wrote my first blog about my first effigy corset 8 years ago. There has been a lot of changes, more detailed research, and better access to digital archives of historical clothing. I've loved watching the conversation evolve over time & learning what I can to contribute to the conversation.  Last fall I had to make myself a new set of stays. My 5th set for me, in addition to everyone I've helped or made them for over the years. My previous sets are all still functional,  but my body shape has changed. Since living in Colorado I've dropped quite a bit of fluff, and my stays became so large on me they were no longer supportive & causing back pain.   My new stays were made using the same method I had previously except I omitted the diagonal "whalebone" channel. They fit well. As the time I made them, I had a small front gap for negative ease or...

I filmed this months ago while I was recovering from being sick. It has been a fun little editing project even if I left the camera tilted the wrong way. I learned how to correct it with my software but kept cutting off my own head in the process. Thank you to my friends in Ansteorra for this fun distraction.  I hope you are all safe and healthy. I expect us to share lots of stories when we are together again.  Just as a reminder, I am not an official spokes person for the SCA. To locate your local group you can go to  www.sca.org  or try Googling your town and SCA. 

Albrecht Durer, Portrait of a Young Venetian Woman, 1505 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_a_Venetian_Woman#/media/File:Albrecht_D%C3%BCrer_089b.jpg It is my understanding that this painting was produced on Albrecht Durer's visit to Venice in 1505, while he was studying the artistic techniques his Venetian contemporaries were using at the time. While the multiple rows of pearls can look intimidating, reproducing this necklace with modern jewelry making supplies is quite easy. I have strung this with silk thread, as it would have likely been at the time, but found it hear breaking when I eventually had a stand snap and I lost several tiny pearls. Empty plastic water bottles can be a great way to store broken necklaces waiting to be restrung in a pinch.  I made one of these for a silent auction to benefit a friend. Materials : - Nylon coated metal beading cable, a bit more than twice your finished length.  - Needle nose pliers - Wire cutters - 4 crimping beads - Necklace...

Lets have a chat about playing in the SCA in a modern US economy. In my 20s, I move around a lot. At first it was for college, then after College I followed the man I loved for his career, and then finally I moved for my own career a few times. With everyone safer at home and social distancing it has had me reflecting on what made my different SCA moves successful or not. In this post I'm hoping to share some unsolicited advice from someone who lived in 4 kingdoms over 13 years, and works in the self storage industry today helping hundreds of people move every year.  My first Laurel's Prize Tournament in Ansteorra, 2016 1. Reach Out I am incredibly introverted and reserved so I know how scary this first step can be. Before you start moving, but after you know it is going to happen, look up your new SCA branch and say hello. Most groups will have a page on Facebook or a website where you can start to learn more about that group, when they meet, their own unique culture, etc. The...

Locally I have become known for being able to help with emergency repairs  for my friends at events when we loose a button or catch a hem under foot. As a result some people asked that I put together a YouTube Video going over all of the items I carry around in my hand sewing box at events. The video is linked below if you are also curious. As I am still new to video editing I appreciate your patience while I get practice and grow. Also a not to Bernadette Banner for inspiring the angles for this video after a similar one she made last year and Chelsea for requesting I make a similar video.  Comment Below and let me know what is in your sewing box. 

As a creative person, I do live in the modern world, and maintaining blogs for multiple time frames is exhausting at best. Going forward the first Monday of the month  will be "Modern Monday" and I will post about a project from after the 16th century.  Our first project is my American Duchess Patreon Cape ca 1910. To help fight the covid 19 boredom the awesome folks at American Duchess made the cape pattern free on their Patreon page (link at bottom). Their Patreon members have access to other awesome patterns so it is worth checking out. I fell in love with this pattern and decided I was going to whip our up to fight the patriarchy  as the pattern is contemporary to the United States Suffragette movement.  I made a mock up after scaling out the pattern to realize while it is a very adjustable pattern, it was scaled for a 38 inch bust and I am a 45 inch. The pattern thankfully is fairly simple to adjust for a larger bust.This is a great example of why we should alwa...