The Tudor Revolution

  In this video I'm following up on my camping checklist video from last week to show y'all how my tent set up goes together with a little planning and practice. This video was recorded in and around my personal tent at an Society for Creative Anachronism event called Uprising in Idaho. Nothing in my video reflect the official stances of the larger living history group, but are based in my personal experiences as a paid member attending events for over a decade. Often at events we are doing something between living history camping and glamping. Not everything in my set up is 100% historically accurate, but many things give the impression and I love the results my current set of supplies give me. I fit everything here, including the tent poles and my dog in a Jeep Patriot, with a little creative packing. #mysca #camping #societyforcreativeanachronism #livinghistory #glamping I purchased my tent several years ago from Midwest Tents. This video was not sponsored by them, b...

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. 

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. 

Below is my documentation of one of my competition pieces earlier this year. I got side tracked by other projects and will be posting an update later with the finished cuffs. Currently I have 1 cuff 3/4 of the way done. Wish me luck and happy reading. Punto in Aria Lace Cuff  The Honorable Lady Isabelle de Calais  Kingdom Arts and Science Competition 2019 Punto in Aria Cuff from late 16th Century Venice During the 16th century intricate lace work became increasingly popular. With the increase in popularity the methods of creating laces diversified to include plaited laces such as bobbin lace, and needle-based laces such as punto in aria and reticella. These laces could be added to linen undergarments and housewares. One of the most popular uses for lace in this period was on accessories such as veils, handkerchiefs, ruffs, and cuffs. Making the Lace  Pattern Books vs. Professionals It is easy to assume that all lace was made by professional artificers in ...

Another Class Handout. This class is typically hands on and we demonstrate creating these hairstyles using this as a reference tool and for notes. I discovered Roman hair dressing while living in Arizona and playing in the SCA. There were many events where even indoors it was too hot to function with more than a sheet on. I learned a bit more about ancient and imperial Roman clothing and hair dressing as a way to beat the heat. One of the most fascinating rabbit holes I have fallen down in recent years is how many of the styles reappear during the Italian Renaissance. Imperial Roman Hair Dressing The Honorable Lady Isabelle de Calais Tudorrevolution.blogspot.com During the later periods of the Roman Empire women were dressing their hair in elaborate hairstyles. In the capitol the Hair Styles could change quickly among the elite depending on political situations, etc. This class is meant to be an introduction to basic techniques used in Roman hairdressing. Tools of the ...

Women’s Hair in in Mid 16th Century Florence  The Honorable Lady Isabelle de Calais  www.tudorrevolution.blogspot.com To most of Europe in the Renaissance, Italy was seen as a source of learning, culture, and beauty.. While many women across Europe were covering their hair under hoods and coifs, the Italians had a long history of elaborate hair dressing which was embraced with zeal as the continent explored and revived classical learning. This class will outline some of the basic tools, techniques, and accessories used to create Florentine hairstyles from 1540 to 1590. Tools of the trade “Dirty Hair”- Many popular shampoos we used today are mean to achieve modern straight silky hair styles. To make your life easier when creating period looks use products without silicone and parabens. My favorite shampoos to use prior to period hair are from Lush Cosmetics. If you are using shampoos with those ingredients in them please don’t wash your hair for a day or two prior to styli...

Blackwork Embroidery The Honorable Lady Isabelle de Calais V&A Museum T.112-1972 Ca. 1540 England, Silk embroidery on linen shirt About the Embroidery... For the purpose of this class we are going to focus on counted blackwork embroidery, also known as Holbein stitch, Spanish stitch, and other various names. These patterns are worked in a counted pattern, outlining a shape or design and using to contract between your ground fabric and thread color for visual impact. While black was the most popular color for this embroidery style, there are period examples of Red, blue, green, and yellow. Detail from a portrait of Bess of Hardwick by Master John, in Hardwick Hall. Ca 1560 This form of embroidery reached its peak during the 16th century in Europe, but there are earlier and later examples to be found in museum archives. One of the driving forces for these patterns to become so wide spread was the in introduction of the printing press. Full of these desig...

This post is long over due and was from my Spring Entry into Outlands Queen's Prize Arts and Sciences Competition. Trust to see more posts about these in the future with patterns for some of the different styles worn around Italy at the time. It has been almost 2 years since I moved to the Colorado Area and I've been so active with my local SCA chapter that I have barely had time to write about some of the fun projects that have been part of my time here. Over the next few weeks I will be working to upload version of many of my class handouts that I have been using over the last 2 years for classes as well as documentation on my mini projects. Stay Tuned! Gorgieras in Mid 16th Century Italy  The Honorable Lady Isabelle de Calais The Outlands Queen’s Prize  Spring 2019 Gorgieras in Mid 16th Century Italy Gorgieras, known as partlets in English, are a popular dressing accessory across Europe during the renaissance.This article of clothing is designed to fil...

For the last few weeks I've been on a spree of finishing my own projects and sewing for me. This particular purse got my attention years ago s a joke, and I decided I wanted one to remind me not to take myself so seriously. This was entered into a "documentation light" SCA competition in  Colorado called Queen's Prize. I may edit this some more for a more in depth research project on the Renaissance concepts of Sacred and Profane Love. Venetian Lute Shaped Purse The Honorable Lady Isabelle de Calais Queen’s Prize Fall 2019 http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/workbox/extpurse.htm Purses in 16th Century  Vencie People have been carrying items they find precious to them through out our time period. You will often see bags suspended from belts, pilgrims carrying bags with their possessions, but it is incredibly rare to find a Venetian woman carrying any bag in the art of the 16th century. We know they still had items dear to them, and we have the sur...

Renaissance on a Budget THL Isabelle de Calais  Class handout for Kingdom A&S 10.26.2019 The idea of late period gets thrown about a lot in the SCA, but what does that really mean? For some it is just Elizabethan, others it is the 15th through 17th centuries. For the purpose of this class let’s limit the discussion to roughly 1480-1603. Our goal here is to go through some of the common ways to cut down on budget while reproducing these looks for people new to the society or period. This is a class based on what has worked for me, but your own mileage may vary a bit. At the time of this class I have been active within the SCA for 12 years and helped many new people develop their wardrobes. I have always loved "late period" and many of these are tips I wish I had learned years ago,  pieces that helped me get started. Step 1 - Plan an outfit This might seem like a silly step, but all to often it is the most important and ignored. Take some time and look around at what ...

Yesterday I went to an SCA event 4 1/2 hours from my home to watch a dear friend of my receive an award I have known he was destined for since I first met him almost 8 years ago. My people call moments like that stardust. It is something special to watch someone who has given so much time, talents, and self to a group to be recognized with their highest award in that area. I also had a bit of stardust sprinkled on my head when the Queen of Atenveldt chose my display on 16th century corsetry and accessories as her favorite of the day. On my drive home I reflected on the experience and decided to post an edited version of an article I wrote for USITT Desert Conference's news letter about my experiences with costume and stardust in the SCA. I hope it warms a few hearts out there in cyberspace even a fraction as much as mine was warmed yesterday. A Different kind of Apprenticeship Costuming in the Society for Creative Anachronism Maridith Feher      ...