Quarterly Hat Challenge

In the last couple of years I have been involved with two challenges that I have found to be great sources of motivation and inspiration. The first was the  Camino del Noble Pilgrimage Challenge, which focused on developing many aspects of one's persona and SCA game. It was a great challenge and I am still focusing on many of the aspects of the challenge because I didn't quite achieve everything that I hoped in the time frame I gave myself (- story of my life!)

The other was the A&S Century challenge, where one does a minimum of ten minutes of work on an aspect of SCA every day for one hundred days. This challenge was much easier for me because I was already in this habit anyway. Because of my health issues, I usually can only work on things for short amounts of time, so very short bursts of input on a regular basis is what works for me. I have to budget my energy to accomplish even small things. The real benefit and challenge to me from the A&S Challenge was getting into the habit of taking project progress photos and writing up (at least basic) notes on projects. This is a habit I could use help in getting back into; I hate the write up after the last stitch is done.

The new challenge for 2018 is the Quarterly Hat Challenge: make one item of headwear every three months. I am hoping that I will be able to achieve this goal. There is no set level of complexity, so at the very least I hope to complete some cauls that I have had cut out for quite a while. I would like to attempt something a little more complex and interesting, but I am not making any promises to myself. Cauls are practical, manageable on high pain days, fun to decorate and easy to store.

Some styles of headwear that I would love to make in the future:

Portrait of Bianca Maria Sforza - Attributed to Giovanni Ambrogio de Predis c. 1493
Image from: https://bjws.blogspot.com.au/2011/12/portraits-of-women-attributed-to.html

Portrait of Isabella of Naples, Duchess of Milan by Giovanni Antonio Boltraffio 
Image from: http://jeannedepompadour.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/house-of-sforza-muzio-attendolo-sforza.html?m=1

Portrait of A Lady  - Attributed to Giovanni Ambrogio de Predis  1490

Image from: https://bjws.blogspot.com.au/2011/12/portraits-of-women-attributed-to.html

Portrait of a Lady in Profile by  Bernardino dei Conti

From: http://www.artnet.com/artists/bernardino-dei-conti/portrait-de-jeune-femme-de-profil-%C3%A0-la-coiffure-0UH8PP-XqNpF-F2FIm_qyg2

Portrait of Bianca Sforza c.1500

Image from: http://jeannedepompadour.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/house-of-sforza-muzio-attendolo-sforza.html?m=1

Portrait of a Lady-- Attributed to Domenico Puligo

Image from: http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20016/lot/51/

2016 Projects In Review

It can be a bit disheartening when you are not well and feel like you never finish anything. So I decided to compile a bit of a list of the projects that I completed last year. It certainly is a helpful tool to make me feel better about the state of my ''to-do'' list. I will try to keep a running record this year as well, so I don't forget that I am making progress, even if not as fast or as far as I would like.

 

A range of necklaces to use as largesse and gifts - as well as some for myself

  

A new girdle of porcelain and glass beads

A small heraldic device for a friend to use on a cloak

A large indoor wall hanging with applique and embroidery on velveteen

An embroidered napkin

My first attempt at leatherwork; a cutlery pouch

A handsewn linen chemise with embroidered knightly virtues on the neckband and embroidered cuffs
(Hemming by Baroness Linet atte Falcon's Nest)

 
A large number (12+) of scroll illuminations - most of which cannot be shown as have not been presented yet
(Calligraphy by Lord Derek of Innilgard)

New striped tie on sleeves

Embroidered Mouse Guard pouch

Velveteen caul

Participation in the Innilgard Girdle Book project

Creation of the Innilgard Championship Cloak

Embroidery on a hand made napkin (made by someone else, embroidered by me)

A new front lacing tourney dress

Another heraldic device for the Innilgard device banners

Design and illumination of 'Households of Innilgard' scroll (Calligraphy by Lord Derek of Innilgard)

A new front lacing court dress

Participation in the Innilgard tablecloth project (doing background patterns of grape leaves and borders)

Another heraldic device for the Innilgard device banners

New billament

A man's fencing doublet with removable sleeves

A child's Italian style dress with hand sewn pintucks

Another heraldic device for the Innilgard device banners

A heraldic token embroidered in split stitch

 

A Viking style tunic for an infant (with split stitch embroidery motif)

A new forepart for front opening dresses

Another heraldic device for the Innilgard device banners

Alcoholic liquors

More heraldic devices for the Innilgard device banners

Two entirely hand sewn Roman tunicas

Another embroidered napkin

First attempts at narrow band weaving and hand-making spangles

Two more cauls

I am sure that I have left some items out, and I never did find time to write up the dress diaries for the garments. I will try to work on that in 2017. Although my unfinished item and to-do lists are as big as ever, I do feel that I have improved in terms of prowess and franchise. I will continue to strive to improve all aspects of my SCA game this year. 

Projects for this year include another Roman tunica, some new camicias/smocks, a new tourney dress (or two), continuing service to my Barony/Kingdom and helping other people with projects, and working on reducing the Unfinished Items pile.