Noble Pilgrimage - March Update

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Time for an update on how the Pilgrimage challenge has been going this month.....

I have been sick again, and there has been lots of plodding along and not much being actually finished (again). With time ticking away, I have been pretty stressed about getting it all done in time. I am trying to work on the way that I am thinking about it all so that I am less stressed. I think I can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
I am getting better at being assertive and turning down projects that I can't realistically manage (although I still hate to disappoint people.)


Prowess:

* Learn a new skill - basic leather work
I have been using my cutlery bag, and  I have cut out a bag to hold scrolls in, but have not yet had time to sew it up.


* Improve my illumination skills - practicing with new designs, painting scroll blanks and developing confidence by "doodling" . Another scroll illuminated this month. I have also created an ongoing online challenge for my local group to get people excited about scribal work and allow them to experiment and develop their skills in a no-pressure situation. Also part way through a new, original scroll.


* Develop my sewing skills
Plodding along with bodices, fencing doublets, sleeves and jerkins.I am making a chemise for a friend and copying someone else's work, which expands your skill set.


* Develop my embroidery skills
New chemise project for a friend underway, it involves hand hemming, embroidery and a first attempt at insertion stitch.


* Enter more A&S competitions
No events at the moment with everyone preparing for and leaving for Festival. I have entered quite a few since this challenge started, and I now feel that I have the confidence to make it a regular thing.

* Try and blog more regularly
A little variable at the moment because I prefer to show the finished item and not much is getting finished yet.


Franchise:

* Make badge banner and pole for outside events
- delayed as hot weather was making my silk paint set blotchily, banner is half done.
* Make a new hall banner
- completed this month

* Make a new bottle cover, napkin and cutlery pouch
- cutlery pouch complete
- another napkin complete this month, 1 more underway.


* New tourney dress
- begun
* New feast dress
- skirt panels cut and hanging. Bodice and interlinings cut and ready to sew
* Make more accessories
Several sets of sleeves cut and ready to sew - if I don't run out of time and energy before the project ends. This challenge is taking a lot out of me.

* Work on cutting out slang and mundane talk. Trying hard, but this will be a continual process.
* Try harder to speak nobly. Trying hard, but this will be a continual process.
* Read ''The Bard's English'' - completed
* Work on moving more gracefully, and work on posture
* **Continue with existing projects and commitments - ongoing.  Working on WCoB presentation piece and on tablecloth project, embroidered chemise for a friend, doublet for a friend. Continuing to help with projects and teach. Continuing to administer LCG and organise records.

This month I have been particularly heartened by the work of the two gentles that I have been teaching to sew for the last eighteen months. They are both coming ahead in leaps and bounds and are trying new techniques and patterning with confidence (and looking great in their new garb.)

Piety

* Continue teaching classes ongoing
* Continue with regular service projects: device banner, mouse pouches, award cords, Baronial projects, scribe work etc. (Ongoing)
* Run an event (not sure if I will be able to do this prior to July as the event schedule is very full. May have to hold it later in the year, especially as we have had some events postponed due to hot weather.)
* Make Primus Agmen award pouches
* Learn the duties of a Lady in Waiting
I recently stepped up as Lady in Waiting to my Baroness. What a huge step. )I didn't actually die from terror or fall over in court [YET] so I think that is a very promising start!)
* Help people with individual projects
- embroidery project for a friend: complete
- jerkin for a friend- complete
-fencing doublet - almost done

Largesse

* Continue teaching garb skills - ongoing
* Make more effort to chat to newcomers at events and training. Trying hard. I even attended a demo this month and had to talk to lots of High School students!
* Try harder to make people feel relaxed, welcome and comfortable
Keeping an eye on newcomers and staying in touch electronically so that they know what to bring to events etc. I feel quite proud of myself for this as it is particularly and continually difficult.
* Donate coffee and cake money to charity at least twice a month
- still making regular donations
* Make largesse items for Gift Box
- still making jewelery




Prudence 

* Re-read "Knowne World Handbook"
* Read The Treasure of the City of Ladies - complete. There were some real gems in this book and it gave me a lot to think about. Well worth sticking it out.
*  Re-read A&S Handbook - done
* Read "At The Court of The Borgia" by Johann Burchard - underway
* Try to learn more about combat
- trying to learn more about rapier and heavy by chatting to fighters and paying more at training, reading social media posts and internet information on this area. Ongoing.

I really feel that I have made big improvements in this area this month. All the information is starting to sink in, and I think that it will help me to improve my game.


Courtesy

* Work on shyness and awkwardness - this will be an ongoing consideration, I think.
* Make an effort to speak to people I don't know/well
* Introduce myself to strangers: working on this
* Learn to accept compliments graciously
* Learn to ask for help: I have done this a few times in the last month
* Stop avoiding Peers and Pointy Hats: improving
* Write more recommendations for worthy individuals - ongoing
* Write a resume of SCA achievements to help develop confidence within the game
-  done! This started off  slowly and was difficult, but actually turned out to be a pleasant exercise because I decided to add in dates of events and so the resume has also become a sort of timeline. Working on it has been a nice trip down Memory Lane and has reminded me how much my game has improved over the last fifteen years. I would recommend this exercise!

Although this area is probably going to be an ongoing challenge for me, I really feel that I have made big improvements in this area this month. What I have learned and achieved so far has really made this Pilgrimage worthwhile.

I am starting to see and feel big improvements in all areas, and I can feel that my attitude to the game is changing. I am handling the challenges better as well. My biggest problem is running out of time to finish all the projects that are for other people before our local big event in June 2016.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter (or whatever holiday you celebrate at this time of year) to all my readers!

Enjoying the Struggle, I mean 'Journey'

I've been struggling lately with the amount of sewing and embroidery that I have to do before June. (A bout of gastro and a viral chest infection haven't helped either.) This week I am starting to - barely - see the light at the end of the tunnel. I saw this meme on Facebook and I thought it was a timely reminder that I should probably work on my attitude to sewing.

I really don't enjoy sewing, and I spend an awful amount of time doing it. So perhaps it is time to change my mindset?!

Look Who's Back!

Long-time readers may remember this little guy from previous years. He walked across the road behind my car last night on the way home.

Heat Wave (again)

Although it is technically Autumn, we are having a heat wave again where I live. I put some projects on hold temporarily to hand hem some linen to use as a palla to wear with my Roman garb.

Although I don't generally enjoy sewing, I find that I do enjoy plain hemming. The continuity of it is strangely meditative.

Noble Pilgrimage - February Update

Image source: http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/14/125114-004-95588444.jpg


Time for an update on how the Pilgrimage challenge has been going.
It has been a busy month. I have been sick, and there has been lots of plodding along and not much being actually finished. These sorts of months can be discouraging and I try to remember that soon I will get to a stage where, with just a little bit more effort (and better health), I will start seeing a lot of things successfully completed.

I have also had two garbed events recently; it has been nice to get back into the swing of regular SCA events again.

I have had to let people know that I can't accept any new projects prior to July 2016, because I have too much on my plate now and I am starting to feel quite stressed, especially after losing so much time to illness.


Prowess:

* Learn a new skill - basic leather work
Last month I completed my cutlery bag for feasts. I have cut out a bag to hold scrolls in, but have not yet had time to sew it up.


* Improve my illumination skills - practicing with new designs, painting scroll blanks and developing confidence by "doodling" . I have also completed another AoA blank (illumination only) and have almost completed the next couple of assignments.


* Develop my sewing skills
I am trying new ways of bodice construction and have started a couple of new bodices in different sewing styles. I am also learning more about men's clothing and am making a doublet for a new fencer in our group. Very challenging!


* Develop my embroidery skills
New chemise project for a friend underway, it involves hand hemming, embroidery and a first attempt at insertion stitch.


* Enter more A&S competitions
Siege warfare research and recipe redactions were submitted and well received. This area may have to take a back seat from now on as I have many things for other people to complete and which will take priority over my own interests and projects.

* Try and blog more regularly


Franchise:

* Make badge banner and pole for outside events
- underway
* Make a new hall banner
- underway

* Make a new bottle cover, napkin and cutlery pouch
- cutlery pouch complete
- one napkin complete, 2 more underway.


* New tourney dress
- begun
* New feast dress
-planning complete and materials assembled. Pattern needs to be adapted. I won't start this project until I am more up to date with my other projects, especially items for other people. They take priority.
* Make more accessories
Some sleeves and new headwear- hopefully- if I don't run out of time and energy before the project ends. This challenge is taking a lot out of me.

* Work on cutting out slang and mundane talk
* Try harder to speak nobly
* Read ''The Bard's English'' - completed
* Work on moving more gracefully, and work on posture
* **Continue with existing projects and commitments - ongoing. Completed a scroll personalisation, illumination on 3 AoA scrolls, embroidered napkin for a friend, WCoB presentation piece, finished a banner device, working on tablecloth project, continuing to help with projects and teach.
Completed this month:

Piety

* Continue teaching classes
* Continue with regular service projects: device banner, mouse pouches, award cords, Baronial projects, scribe work etc.
* Run an event (not sure if I will be able to do this prior to July as the event schedule is very full. May have to hold it later in the year.)
* Make Primus Agmen award pouches
* Learn the duties of a Lady in Waiting
I recently stepped up as Lady in Waiting to my Baroness. What a huge step. )I didn't actually die from terror or fall over in court [YET] so I think that is a very promising start!)
* Help people with individual projects
- embroidery project for a friend: complete
- jerkin for a friend- underway
-fencing doublet - underway

Largesse

* Continue teaching garb skills
* Make more effort to chat to newcomers at events and training
* Try harder to make people feel relaxed, welcome and comfortable
Keeping an eye on newcomers and staying in touch electronically so that they know what to bring to events etc.
* Donate coffee and cake money to charity at least twice a month
- making regular donations
* Make largesse items for Gift Box
- making more jewelery




Prudence 

* Re-read Knowne World Handbook
* Read The Treasure of the City of Ladies
I must admit, this one is hard going- especially when there are so many tempting books from the period to read
*  Re-read A&S Handbook - done
* Read "At The Court of The Borgia" by Johann Burchard - underway
* Try to learn more about combat
- trying to learn more about rapier and heavy by chatting to fighters and paying more at training, reading social media posts and internet information on this area


Courtesy

* Work on shyness and awkwardness - this will be an ongoing consideration, I think.
* Make an effort to speak to people I don't know/well
* Introduce myself to strangers: working on this
* Learn to accept compliments graciously
* Learn to ask for help: I have done this a few times in the last month
* Stop avoiding Peers and Pointy Hats: working on this
* Write more recommendations for worthy individuals
* Write a resume of SCA achievements to help develop confidence within the game
- almost done!

Device Banner Project - Red Hart Device

Another banner device ticked off the list. Like most that I have done, it is made of felt and uses applique and embroidery techniques. The felt is wool felt, and I have used DMC cotton floss, DMC perle floss, and a faceted glass bead for the eye.

Stitches include whip stitch, split stitch, chain stitch, satin stitch and stem stitch.

I marked the triskellion design in Frixion brand marker, then worked them in chain stitch. Then I went over the top of the chain stitch with satin stitch. This gives a nice raised effect.

Banner Device Project- White Dragon Device

Here is a recently completed device for our Baronial device banner project. It is made of wool felt, and has embroidery, silver cord and applique. Stitches include couching, whip, stem, chain and split stitch. The eye is made from a red glass bead. DMC cotton floss, rayon floss and cotton crochet thread have been used.

Cutting linen for new chemise project

I have recently started a new project: to make a chemise for a friend. I am not sure if I have shared this before, but I know a great trick to make cutting linen evenly very easy.

Measure up your panels, and then carefully lift a thread at your cutting line. Cut the thread and pull it to create an even cutting line. The thread may break before you can pull the whole lot up; just find the broken end and keep pulling.

When you have finished pulling the thread out, you will have a perfectly even cutting line in your linen to follow!

This chemise will be entirely hand sewn. I am making it out of rectangles and squares. The underarm gussets are small squares, and the body panels and arm panels are large rectangles. The neckline and wrist holes will be gathered into embroidered bands.

Baroness Linet atte Falcon's Nest has kindly offered to help me by hand hemming the body panels. I have hemmed the gussets.

The hem is just the edge turned over twice and stitched down with tiny stitches. I aim to join the pieces together with a decorative insertion stitch. The neck and wrist holes will be gathered into the embroidered bands (once the bands are complete!)

A Child's Renaissance Dress in the Italian Style

Gosh this is an old one from 2014, and I honestly can't remember if I blogged it or not. I am notoriously bad at blogging dress diaries; it seems to be almost like reliving the trauma of sewing! This one was made for a five year old and was made from purple and red cotton (Mummy's favourite colours!) The bodice is lined in calico but there is no interlining or stiffening. The skirt is cartridge pleated. The alternating colours continue on the back of the dress. Hand sewn eyelets are laced with lucet cord made by Heather (thank you!) I put a few tucks in the hem to allow for the wearer's rapid growth. Thank you for your help with the tucks Lady Sorcha.

I must admit that little girl's dresses are much less traumatic to make than "big girl's" dresses. This dress looks lovely on the recipient and she seems to like it. Her Mummy certainly likes the colours. The tucks stiffen the hem and make it stand out beautifully.

Falcon Device Banner

My Barony has a series of banners which show the registered devices of the populace. I recently made this device for a friend:

A lot of the devices are made of felt, which works well as the banners get rolled up for transport and storage. I like working with felt because it doesn't fray.

I printed the heraldic device design from the computer and traced the design onto tracing paper. I built up the background colours from the appropriately shaped pieces of felt which were just whip stitched down.

The falcon was cut out from white felt and whipped down. I didn't cut the legs and feet out of felt because the pieces would be too small.

I did split stitch in a thicker cotton around the edge of the red felt and then couched down some gold cord as an accent. I used split and stem stitch to outline and do details on the bird. The eye was a shiny black bead. The legs and feet were worked in split stitch. I used some black thread as a highlight.

 

When the piece was finished, I ironed it from the back and whip stitched on a second piece of white felt for strength.

Noble Pilgrimage - January Update

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Time for an update on how the Pilgrimage challenge has been going.

Like everyone, I have a lot of other SCA responsibilities that I had already committed to and which take up a lot of time. These include re-jigging the Cooks' Guild records and website, running classes, local scribal warden, local A&S deputy, and contributing to group projects including making devices for our device banner and working on the Innilgard tablecloth project. Of course I will continue with these projects and they will take priority over my Pilgrimage projects.
I have been playing for quite a long time so I have a lot of the basic equipment sorted. I need to work on the extra details and not being sloppy due to overfamiliarity. I have an illness which impacts on my time, energy and finances, and I can't travel. I will be doing the challenge ''in spirit'' but will be unable to attend the events. This list might seem really easy for regular people but represents a huge challenge for me.

Here is my list of goals for the Pilgrimage:

Prowess:

* Learn a new skill - basic leather work

* Improve my illumination skills - practicing with new designs, painting scroll blanks and developing confidence by "doodling" 















* Develop my sewing skills
- try new ways of bodice construction

Bodice edged with bias and unlined for summer (in progress)




* Develop my embroidery skills
* Enter more A&S competitions
- viking saga poem
- siege warfare research
- recipe redaction
* Try and blog more regularly

Franchise:
* Make badge banner and pole for outside events
- begun
* Make a new hall banner
- begun

* Make a new bottle cover, napkin and cutlery pouch
- cutlery pouch complete
- one napkin complete

* New tourney dress
- begun
* New feast dress
* Make more accessories

new girdle

new necklace

* Work on cutting out slang and mundane talk
* Try harder to speak nobly
* Read ''The Bard's English'' - completed
* Work on moving more gracefully
* Continue with existing projects and commitments - ongoing. Completed a scroll personalisation, illumination on 3 AoA scrolls, embroidered napkin for a friend, WCoB presentation piece, finished a banner device, working on tablecloth project

Piety
* Continue teaching classes
* Continue with regular service projects: device banner, mouse pouches, award cords, Baronial projects, scribe work etc.
* Run an event
* Make Primus Agmen award pouches
* Learn the duties of a Lady in Waiting
* Help people with individual projects
- embroidery project for a friend: design started

Largesse
* Continue teaching garb skills
* Make more effort to chat to newcomers at events and training
* Try harder to make people feel relaxed, welcome and comfortable
* Donate coffee and cake money to charity at least twice a month
- 6 donations recently
* Make largesse items for Gift Box
- made several jewellery items this month

 

Prudence 
* Re-read Knowne World Handbook

* Read The Treasure of the City of Ladies 

*  Re-read A&S Handbook
* Read "At The Court of The Borgia" by Johann Burchard
* Try to learn more about combat
-  watched an introduction to heavy session with one of our talented local fighters

Courtesy
* Work on shyness and awkwardness
* Make an effort to speak to people I don't know/well
* Introduce myself to strangers
* Learn to accept compliments graciously
* Learn to ask for help
* Stop avoiding Peers and Pointy Hats
* Write more recommendations for worthy individuals
- I have written 3 recommendations recently

* Write a resume of SCA achievements to help develop confidence within the game

- I have started to write a list of my achievements and roles in the SCA

Gift Box Largesse Necklace (White and Purple)

I am still working on jewellery for the Gift Box. This late period necklace has white and purple 4mm glass seed beads strung on tiger tail.

This style of necklace can be worn doubled over- under the gown for Tudor and over the top for sixteenth century Italian.




Anne Boleyn by an Artist of the English School
Image Source: http://www.arthistorynews.com/articles/894_Anne_Boleyn_regains_her_head

Pink and White Seed Bead Necklace

I made this necklace as a gift for a little SCA friend for Christmas. I have made her a couple of little Italian style Renaissance dresses, and I thought this style of necklace would look very pretty with her dresses. The beads are glass seed and round beads strung on tiger tail.

Seed bead necklace for Largesse (Blue and White)

Another necklace for the Gift Box. This one has pale blue and frosted white glass seed beads strung on tiger tail.

Seed bead necklace (Green and black)

Another seed bead necklace, this time a gift for a friend. This style is very useful; it is worn doubled up and can be worn with Italian Renaissance and Tudor gowns.

White Caul or Cuffia

I made this small white caul (cuffia) as  a gift for a dear friend. It is a simple circle of fabric gathered into a rectangle of fabric which had been sewed into a circular strip and folded over. I starched the 'circle' part of the caul to give it body. I added small white glass seed beads along the band and also added some wig clips and button hole loops for bobby pins.

This hat was inspired by this image:

Portrait of a Lady by Domenico Ghirlandaio

Image Source: http://www.wikiart.org/en/domenico-ghirlandaio/portrait-of-a-lady

There are many Renaissance Italian portraits that show similar styles of headwear-

Portrait of a Young Woman by Domenico Ghirlandaio

Image Source: http://www.wikiart.org/en/domenico-ghirlandaio/portrait-of-a-young-woman?utm_source=returned&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=referral

Some of these cauls have bands and some do not. From personal experience, I find the cauls with bands easier to pin onto my hair.

Portrait of a Young Woman by Lorenzo Costa

Image Source: http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/wardrobe/ferrara/LorenzoCostaBostonMOFIneArts.jpg

I am tempted to have a go at making something like this caul- I like the beadwork.

Portrait of a Young Woman by Albrecht Durer

Image Source: http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/wardrobe/DurerYoungVenWoman.jpg

Portrait of a Lady by Bernardino Licinio

Image Source: http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/wardrobe/LICINIO1510s.JPG

Portrait of a Lady by Sandro Botticelli
Image Source: http://www.vam.ac.uk/__data/assets/image/0019/223714/2006bc8281_botticelli_lady_tempera_custom_290x478_05610925.jpg




Portrait of a Young Woman by Domenico Ghirlandaio
Image Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/103864335127722168/



Portrait of a Young Woman by Domenico Ghirlandaio (aka Domenico Tommaso
Bigordi)
Image Source: http://www.copia-di-arte.com/a/ghirlandaio-domenico/bildnisjungefrau.html




Portrait of a Lady of the Sassetti Family by Domenico Ghirlandaio
Image Source: https://www.scholarsresource.com/images/thumbnails/192/m/met3849.jpg