The First Cut

Five or so years ago, I was browsing through the clearance section of a big box fabric store. Now, when I browse through the clearance section of fabric, I don't simply walk by, looking at things. No, I dig around, move bolts, crawl on the floor in an effort to see the bottom shelf more clearly; all in an effort to find that gem. On the bottom shelf, buried under some rather okay looking upholstery fabric was a bolt of crimson red velvet. Mind you, not the highest quality velvet, but a nice medium quality, nonetheless. It had been marked down from $28.00/yard, to $6.00/yard. As I danced my way to the cutting counter, many of  the other patrons ogled my luscious find. As I was standing in line on this very busy holiday weekend, one lady behind me commented on my lovely fabric.
     "That's beautiful fabric! How much is it?"
     "$6.00/yard! I can't believe there's so much of it here!"

     "Wow! I'll take whatever you're not taking."

     "Oh, I'm sorry, I'll be taking it all."

     "What could you possibly do with that much red velvet?"

     "I create Elizabethan court gowns."

The woman at the counter starts to measure out the fabric. 

     "2...3...4..."

     "Are you sure you need all if it? I'd be fine with just a yard or two for some throw pillows." says the woman behind me, still staring at the velvety pool at the end of the cutting table.

     "6...7...8..."

     "I'm sure. I'll use most of it for the gown and the rest for accessories. It takes a lot of fabric to create a gown with a proper train."

The woman in line behind her chimes in. 

     "What about just 1/2 of a yard? I would love to use just a little of it as a trim. There's so much there!"

     "10..11...12..."

I stare, smiling, at the garden of fabric piled on the counter, envisioning the gown that will eventually blossom from this plush bed of rose. "I'm sorry, ladies." 

In all, there were just over 13 yards of fabric. When I went to pay, the new associate at the register allowed me to use a 50% off coupon, leaving me with balance of less than $40.00!

This rather large preface leads me to my actual purpose of this post: my new partlet. (Eventually I'll have a better picture.) I had been wanting to make a partlet for some time. I knew what I wanted, I just needed to get up the nerve to take scissors to the velvet. 

I pulled out The Tudor Tailor and turned to page 70, a page I had visited and read many times before. Having had very little experience with upscaling patterns (and not wanting to risk wasting any of my velvet), I decided to first make a 1:1 muslin of the pattern in the book. I held the muslin to myself and determined that it was far too small. I then took measurements and determined the scale I needed and again cut a muslin pattern. While I realize the first muslin was completely unnecessary, I also realize I was putting off that inevitable moment when the crimson threads would finally be broken. 

Then came the big moment; the one I had waited for, for 5 years: time to cut the velvet! Now, typically this moment in a blog post would say something like, "I cut the fabric." However, this is not a typical blog post. Nor is it typical fabric. I brought the bolt upstairs and laid it on the floor, gently unrolling it a few turns. I pinned the muslin and knelt in front of the fabric with my scissors. 

*deep breath* 

Then, I cut. 

Okay, it wasn't so bad. It was only a small bit of fabric. 

I cut the black linen for the lining and ties, then sewed it all together. I did make one small mistake. I forgot that velvet can't be ironed normally. Whoops! So, now the velvet is slightly crushed in a small area. Though, I'm told it's hardly noticeable. 

Overall, I'm satisfied with the outcome. The pattern was simple to follow & upscale. I've re-learned that you don't iron velvet the way you iron everything else. It will also be easier to upscale a pattern next time I need to. 

Next up: a linen partlet (or 4) for warmer weather. 

Carpenter on the Go

Within the Society, one of the many things I dabble in is woodworking. I say "dabble," but I have been doing real woodworking (from plans to finished product) for more than 20 years. My most recent SCA project was a collapsible table that I had seen many people carrying around at events. I started by looking at my favorite woodworking site to find some plans to work from. I found these plans and went off running!

First, I had to pick out the wood. I found some oak from an old bed frame and an old broom for the structural pieces. I found this lovely piece of idunno wood for the table top. It's some kind of soft wood, which means it scratches easily, but it was what we had that fit the size (and we all know that free is better than $). It will also be easy to replace, when that time comes.

Next, I cut all the pieces out and did some light sanding The legs all needed to be rounded. This required a vice and a belt sander. Very exact work, here. 

Next up - routing the table top pieces and the brace pieces. After this, lots of sanding. And more sanding. And a little more sanding. Once all the sanding was done, I assembled the table, per the instructions in the plans, and generously applied five coats of linseed oil. 

Overall, the project was fairly easy to construct. The plans were well written and easy to follow. If I were to do it again, I would choose a better wood for the table tops. After just 2 uses, there are deep gouges in the tops. I did know this would happen, given the soft wood I used, but I was not expecting it to happen so quickly. 

I Came for the Clothing; I Stayed for the People.

Greetings and salutations! Before we explore all of the fascinating exploits of this modern Elizabethan, let me tell you a bit about myself.

I am Lady Olivia Baker of the Barony of Concordia of the Snows of the East Kingdom of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). I was introduced to the SCA in August of 2007. It was pitched to me as, "a place where we can dress up year-round!" You see, before I found the SCA, I was a renaissance festival patron (commonly referred to as a "Rennie"). I had these lovely Elizabethan outfits that I would get to wear once or twice/year and I wanted more. So, I happily attended my first event, Harper's Retreat, in the Barony of Stonemarche (in NH), wearing one of my aforementioned outfits. Some people were kind and complementary. Others just stared in disgust at the audacity of someone to wear such an outspoken frock. Overall, the positive outweighed the negative, so I attended several more events and eventually found Concordia.

I came for the clothing. I stayed for the people.

So, then, what is it that makes me tick? What keeps my fires burning? It all starts with the clothing. When I first stepped into the SCA, it was my love of the dramatic Elizabethan style that brought me. I make all of the clothing I wear, as well as my hats. Sewing and embroidery are my home. They are where it all began.

My second flame is music. Music makes my soul fly. It brings light where there is dark. It paints my sepia life in technicolor. To say that I love to sing would be a gross understatement. I don't love to sing. I live to sing; I sing to live. It's said that when an artist paints, he leaves bits of his soul on the canvas. When I sing, my soul echoes through the rafters. It's a gift I have not previously shared freely. Though, now that I'm Concordia's Bardic Champion, I suppose I will have to share it upon the request of our new Baron and Baroness.

Last, but never least, I am, by trade, a baker. I own a bakery in Albany, NY. While I am not classically trained in the art and science, I have learned through many years of working in kitchens, starting as a dishwasher and ending as a pastry chef. I have just recently begun venturing into the realm of period pastry. You should expect to see a great deal more on this in the future.

In all that I do, there is one common thread: beauty. It's been said that I have an aptitude for creating beauty in all things. I can take the purely mundane and make it extraordinary. I can transform the extraordinary into the exquisite. The lily is stunning on its own. I gild it.

So, there you have it. I have laid the primer. What will come next? Walk with me and we shall learn together.

the journey forward

Today we embark upon a new journey: one of adventure, dread, romance, mystery, and triumph. We delve deep into the past in search of beauty and taste. This journey cannot be done alone. Along the way, I will need your guidance and input. I will come across boulders in my path. I will need your assistance in clearing them. I will grow weary and hopeless. I will need your encouragement to keep moving me forward. I will become overwhelmed with possibilities. I will need your guidance to remain on track.

Will you accept my challenge? Will you join me on this journey? Without you I am simply a voice lost in space. For, what use has a book buried in a grave? What good is a song without ears for it to land upon? What purpose has a meal without mouths to savor the sapidity? 

Join me on this journey and together we will float through space and time in our quest for knowledge.