The Tudor Revolution

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...

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 ...

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...

  Photo by Melissa Jones. 2017  Last Summer as part of the Realm of Venus' Italian Renaissance Costume Challenge 7, I made a Venetian Ensemble inspired by the late 1560's. This dress was an extension of the learning I made in 2012. In 2012, I researched the layers that go into this silhouette and created this look. Personally I am excited to see the growth and better execution that 5 years of honing my craft has given me. New corset pieces. Stiffened with reed and 2 piece of synthetic whale bone. This outfit started with a new effigy corset like the ones I have posted about previously on this blog. What is new is the angle of the diagonal channel is wider for my larger bust. I also began experimenting with synthetic whale bone for some of the more important channels, like the afore mentioned diagonal. Over all I am very pleased with my new corset made from a recycled silk dress I found at Goodwill. I usually prefer to just use silk yardage, but it was harder t...

Tintoretto Portrait of a Lady Over the last several months I have been haunting the jewelry sections at my local craft stores and beading shops. My goal has been to find supplies to make a new belt. There are plenty a beautiful pieces on the market right now,  just not what I was looking for. Being picky with my design also gave me time to research pieces. The two principal styles of belts worn by middle to upper class Venetian woman  between 1550 and 1600 could be thought of as jewelry more than accessories as we see them today. The first style wraps around the waist and has a tail dangling down the center front of wearers' skirts. Style number two also wraps around the wearer's body, but does not extend down. It appears that wealthier women would have a large "belt buckle" while the middle class would simply hook the two ends together. I already have 3 belts with dangling pieces, so I decided to try the second style. Cross from the late 16th century. Gold w...

I found this portrait over a year ago and became fascinated with it. So because of my need for lightweight court clothing to wear at Pennsic I set out on making my own rendition on this gown. Palma Vecchio, Woman in Blue I have chosen to interpret this dress as the ancestor of the "ladder laced" dresses seen on many noble. Venetians later in the century. I would like to thank Melissa Jones and Anabella Wake for their insight into constructing this garment. The camicia was constructed using Anabella's instructions on T he Realm of Venus. The Materials: 5 yds of blue cotton damask (During the time period it was made with silk) 1/2 yd high quality blue velvet (Period material would have been made with silk) 2 yds green silk (sleeve linings) 6 yds of homemade cord (in place of silk ribbons) 1 yd of linen for bodice lining 2 metal bones 1 hook and eye Process: At this time an extent garment of this style has not been shared with the public. My co...

I am still working on some of the finer details to my Venetian outfit based on The Concert by Giovanni Antonio Fasolo. One major detail I have been holding off on is finishing the goldwork embroidery on the partlet aka  gorgiera. Now that my copy of The Royal School of Needlework's Goldwork Stitches is here I will be reading it furiously and trying to sketch out the subtle goldwork designs in the painting. Wish me luck! and from what I have read of the book so far it is big on technique, but very light on historical context. A full review will follow later.  Giovanni Antonio Fasolo, c1565: " The Concert " (fresco detail) Vicenza, Villa Campiglia Negri de' Salvi

So it has been a very busy week around here, and with only 2 weeks left the tempo can not slow down if I am to finish everything before I depart for the event. Since my last update I have finished the last of the 40 thread covered buttons for my husband's Hungarian coat. I also patterned to body and sleeves of the coat. There are a few more adjustments to make after the last fitting but by the end of the day i should have the body assembled. I am even using my lucet to make cording when i am on the treadmil. I continue to practice wearing my new corset. The fabric has stretched slightly but everything seems to fit together well. I am now on the 4th row of embroidery on the front of my camicia. I need a total of 5 rows down the front and back panels, 4 down each side panel, the sleeves and my neckline. In order to make my portrait complete I will need to focus on the front and neckline for now, and I can address the rest of the blackwork after the event. 40 completed thread ...

Inspired by an Italian Masquerade event that I will be attending at the end of September, my projects are taking a brief vacation to the shining city on the lagoon, Venice. Starting in at the beginning of August I had 8 weeks to build a Venetian Ensemble from the skin out, and a Hungarian Ensemble for my husband.  So far here is my progress: Week 1: Research and order supplies I could not find locally. Start 40 thread covered buttons for husband's coat. Week 2: While waiting for supplies research how gowns were made. Draft corset pattern, discuss construction details with those who have made them before. Prep supplies as they arrive. Build and embroider husband's 16th century shirt. Look to my post  on a Man's Tudor Shirt. Week 3: Construct Corset. Look to my post on  Effigy Corsets with Reeds . Begin drafting camicia pattern based on the instructions at  The Realm of Venus Camicia Page Week 4-5: Mock up/patterning Hungarian coat. Embroidery...