Something to keep you warm...

2009-01-09T23:36:00.001+01:00

Please join us at
Something to Keep you Warm II
to follow round two of the "warm" challenge!
See you all there!

Dress progress

2008-12-31T01:43:00.002+01:00

I was able to make some additional progress but I am also not able to finish my embroidery before the end of the deadline.

Cloak progress

2008-12-28T19:53:00.004+01:00

I've finally been able to get back to working on my cloak. The baby has been taking most of my time, so progress has been slow. I have now finished both tails and a few bits of the knot. The picture doesn't show the longest piece of knot that was finished along the left side.
Needless to say, this will not be finished in December.

...some new progress :)

2008-12-21T00:58:00.002+01:00

DSC05514
Ursprünglich hochgeladen von racaire

...not very much progress but I think it looks not bad :)

...but now I am quite sure that I won't be able to finish my project before the end of the challenge deadline because it took me a rather long time to finish this piece of rather small embroidery *sigh*

Update progress :)

2008-11-30T19:56:00.003+01:00

...and some more progress, but after I decided to fill all areas I am not sure if I can finish it before the end of december... :)

Progress!

2008-11-14T18:28:00.005+01:00

Well I've finally made some progress. I have all the fabric I need for the winter ID Viceregal Cloaks. I've cut out the two halves for each cloak, as well as, the sun and moon bits. I'm using this for my challenge as I do not normally do hand appliqué! I am going to try to just pin on the first sun and applique this on without a frame. I am doing this because it's what I'll have to do for the Laurel wreaths. I'm not sure how I'm going to get the Laurel wreaths cut out as I'm not an artist, in terms of drawing. I will probably rely on finding a decent image online and project this onto the fabric, as I've done in the past.

Here's hoping I am inspired to work on this again soon! I really want to have this done on time for the second deadline!

Wish me luck,
Jahanara

Something to keep you warm progress... :)

2008-11-09T03:12:00.002+01:00

DSC04046
Ursprünglich hochgeladen von racaire

...some new progress - neck embroidery for my blue 12th century dress with gathered body part...

Challenge Update

2008-11-07T17:00:00.000+01:00

Greetings IDFAIG!
I have finally acquired all the materials I need for my challenge item. I have some lovely black and blue wool and gorgeous yellow linen. I will be making some warm winter cloaks for the ID Viceregal Couple. These are not meant to replace the lovely brocade cloaks, just to give a warmer option for cold days/nights.

I have the cloaks cut out, and the sun template made. I hope to get the suns cut out and begin appliqueing them on this weekend after Kingdom University. I hope to see many of you there. I will only be day tripping, and will spend much of my time in the 3 weaving related classes!

Namaste,
Jahanara

Cloak project

2008-10-05T22:54:00.005+02:00

The last time I posted about the cloak I'm working on, the decision had yet to be made as to whether I was going to fill in the large design. We decided to fill in the cloak and now with some of it filled, I'm very happy about the decision. It's going to look great when finished. I just don't know how many years down the road that will be. I'm sure that with the baby due towards the end of the month, that my progress will be slowed down. Here is what it currently looks like:
The two heads:
These will be seen one over each shoulder on the front.

The tail:
I have only one tail finished at the moment and am working on the other. I'm finding that I don't like filling in circles with embroidery but now that the heads and this tail are finished, I only have the two circles on the other tail to do. After that, the stitching will be much straighter. These tails have been modified from the original design. My husband had decided that he likes these better than the original. They are quite similar to one of the tails in the original. The bit of red at the bottom of the picture is part of the neck carried over from the front of the cloak. The heads and tails aren't very far apart and were actually switched around from the original design to put the heads on the front of the cloak.

I like how following the outline of the design in my stitching has created a bit of a design within the heads and tail. It gives it a bit more distinction than just being a solid colour with no texture.

I realized after drawing the tails out that they don't really look like they fit the bits that lead out to them, but the original was like that too, it's just that the centre base of the tail is a bit more pronounced in this than the original.

Green Wool Gown

2008-09-29T16:21:00.007+02:00

So here are the first photos from a Part of my hunting scene on the green Woolgown i made.They showing only the Conture right now.I don´t know,if I fill up the figures complete or if I make only some parts like the Gowns.I dont want to fill the horses.Also I cant finish it since December .I have not really enough time in the Moment with my mundane job to make some more embroidery.

My project went belly up

2008-08-13T11:42:00.006+02:00

I solved my problem with the cotton wadding by using cosmetic cotton. Which I won't do again. Slippery stuff to put it mildly. Halfway through, my son outgrew the thing and I got involved in a few other insane sewing projects. The long and short of it is that I'll resume the project when and if I ever lay my hands on a more suitable cotton wadding. And the pride and joy stays the same size for more than 2 months.

I've switched projects to something that doesn't quite qualify me anymore. I started doing a life size part of an Icelandic altar frontal a few weeks ago. It's fast turning into a huge project along the lines of a bedspread or part of a section of a bedspread. Or possibly a fur lined sleeping bag for my son.

I've done versions of the stitch before, but not in this variety. So far I've spent as much time unpicking as I've spent stitching. The biggest hassle has been the colors. I have a fairly large selection of weaving yarns to choose from, but despite being able to buy plant dye shades......a lot of the green shades are a century or so too modern. In the end I figured a dark bluish green would be a better solution than a faded green. The aim is the vibrant possible colors of the 15thC, not the faded shades we usually see today.

Anyway, I can't wait to see the end results from the rest of you.

New deadline for the Challenge :)

2008-08-10T15:15:00.001+02:00

Another month passed by and the end of the 'Something to keep you warm - Challenge' is fast approaching - I am very nosy looking forward to see the results of the projects for the challenge posted to the "Something to keep you warm" Challenge blog until the end of September, but it looks like some of our participants have not the time to finish their project until this deadline due to mundane live, work and other more important projects for themselves or the kingdom, therefore I propose to give all participatns a little more time to finish their projects till the end of this year - therefore a new deadline: December

Cloak pictures

2008-08-03T23:05:00.005+02:00

I am finally able to post pictures of the cloak with the outlining finished.

It's being held a little crooked here, but you can see most of the design.

Here is what it looks like without being held out. It's a bit difficult to see what the design is.

The original plan was to fill the design using red silk. We now have the silk, but he is not sure if he wants it filled or not now that he's seen the outline. I decided to do a bit of a test to show him what it would look like. This is the test I finished this evening. I want him to see it in natural light before making any decision. I'm not sure myself what will look better, but I tend to lean towards filling it.

Cloak progress

2008-07-27T22:37:00.001+02:00

I have finished the outlining of the design on Lutr's cloak. See my last post under the label Siubhan for pictures of the partially completed design. Once I find a way to connect my camera to my computer again, I will post pictures. I did remember to add tails to the poor beasts. In the picture of my last post, you can see the gap where it needed to be added extending through the outermost part of the design.
The decision has yet to be made as to whether I will fill the design with colour or leave it with just the outlining. I think either will look fine. The plan is to do a test piece to see what the filled pattern will look like.

Since the weather has been warm, I haven't felt like keeping the cloak on my lap to work on, so I've started my next project which is a pair of embroidered cuffs to go on another of my Persian robes. The fabric is a lovely blue wool. I'm using a fine silk for the embroidery. The design is actually a Turkish design, but I like it enough, that I'm not going to worry about putting a Turkish design on a Persian robe. Again, pictures to come.

dress for coronation finished :)

2008-06-24T23:23:00.002+02:00

I finished the 12th century dress for coronation and I can add some small embroideries after the coronation and adjust the embroidery a little more (there was not enough time left to do also some couching - sorry)

the dress is lined and I really hope that the weather won't be to hot on Saturday or you will see me melting away - I am sure this dress will keep me really warm (also if the weather will get cooler)

Cloak progress

2008-06-08T13:08:00.003+02:00

I feel like I haven't made much progress on this cloak lately but looking back through the posts, I haven't posted an update since shortly after I started all the outlining. I had hoped to have the outlining finished by Double Wars, but that didn't happen.

Here is the back of the cloak being held up by my husband. The finished half is the half somewhat angled away from the camera so you cannot see the design really well. I just didn't want to make him hold it very long to get the perfect picture.
You can see the red and blue stitching where I have yet to do the proper outlining. I have removed most of that temporary stitching where the outlining is finished. We've gone back to debating whether or not to fill in the design. The plan was to fill it with red.

...change of project... (some progress)

2008-05-30T20:46:00.002+02:00

...ok, I have some progress to show concerning my lined 12th century dress :)

...change of project...

2008-05-05T22:58:00.004+02:00

...my dear ladies and friends - I am very sorry but I have to change my project again because I want to do some embroidery for the coronation dress of our Princess Fiona and because I think that I really need a more period looking dress for her coronation and therefore I am sure that I wont be able to finish Anya's Laurel Cloak before the deadline *sigh*

...ok, my new project is my dress for Fiona's coronation - because the bodypart and the sleeves are lined I think it will keep me very warm at Coronation and I hope that I will be able to finish at least the dress until Coronation and the embroidery for it at least before the deadline :)

I will count this dress also for my A&S50 challenge - 50 new things for the wardrobe :D

...and I promise you that I will try to finish Anya's Laurel Cloak and my Wallhanging also as soon as possible :)

I´m back

2008-04-23T09:21:00.006+02:00

with a new projects.After all my Research for embroidery stockings ,I decide to make me something I can use in my Century.
I have make for me a green wool gown after a authentic Cotte pattern ,and I sew it all by hand.Racaire and Anya know,thats some new for me.The last gowns I sew ,I sew all by machine.I decide to embroider it with a Hunting Scene in differnt shades of green silk thread.I want to take the split stich for my embroider,but as I get the silk, I see I cant use it for the this.The silk I buy was from Madeira and it´s like Ancor/Mez/Dmc embroidery thread.Is have 6 threads and I have no whole thread I can split.So I will look these day for another Stich I can use ,that I not know ,or not use so often.I will embroider the Conture of the Human and fill up some pieces by the horses or the trees completly

Here are the first photos of the gown and the hunting scene

Design

Gown

I have to shorten the Sleeves:-)they are a little bit to long

hunting scene

On the Sleeves I embroider Acornleaves and Acorns.The Acorns self I will embroider with silver thread

Lovely Greetings Alenn

Cloak update

2008-04-11T23:49:00.003+02:00

I've made some progress on my husband's cloak. Here is a picture with him wearing it. The heads don't quite line up, but that's just because it's on slightly crooked. I've outlined the two heads as they wrap over the shoulders. It took 3.5-4 hours to outline one head including the neck to where it meets the rest of the knot. I'm using 2/12 silk in yellow for the outlining and will be filling it with red silk of the same size. It will all be done in a chain stitch. He has decided (after I ordered the silk from the States) that he wants them to have blue eyes. I'll have to come up with some way of doing that. I may just use my finer silk that I have rather than placing a new order.
Now to continue the outlining. I was hoping to have the outlining finished for when we go to Double Wars, but I think that is quite unlikely now.

Anya's cloak - 5th roundel :)

2008-04-10T19:13:00.001+02:00

...and again some new progress :)

(now I only need about 9 to 11 other roundels)

New Project

2008-04-08T19:03:00.002+02:00

As I posted on the main page. I realized, thanks to HE Siubhan, that my original project, did not really fit the challenge. Fortunately, I had promised Salonge that I would embroidery an element of her heraldry on a cloak. We cut the cloak out the same night we cut out the massive cloak that HE Siubhan is embroidering! Althoguh she has her design on already, I think I can still finish before she does, as I'm probably only outlining and my embroidery will be a much smaller design!
I have decided on split stitch, a.k.a. opus anglicanum. According to several sites, including the West Kingdom Needlworkers spit stitch article, this stitch was very popular in France during the 15th Century. As Salonge's persona is based in modern day France during the 1400's this seems and appropriate stitch to use on her cloak!
Now it's just a matter of deciding how much I need to enlarge the pattern she gave me, getting it on the cloak and deciding on the thread to use! Then I can get started and hopefully finish in time for Viceroy, along with my 2nd blue linen sleeve, and weaving prizes for the Viceroy A&S Competition!

Cloak update

2008-04-06T22:17:00.007+02:00

I've finally managed to start my 'Something to keep you warm project'. Jahanarabanu was kind enough to help me get the pattern from the computer onto my husband's cloak. This is the back of the (very heavy) cloak being held up by me. We used Jahanarabanu's projector and a bit of chalk.
She had also been so kind as to alter the pattern for me so that it would fit a bit better onto the cloak. This included swapping the heads and tails of the serpents to put the heads in a useful position.

The second picture shows where the heads of the serpents have been moved to be over the shoulders.
There is a bit of extra line where I had originally marked where the head should go.

Because it is impressive how quickly chalk lines can disappear, my first priority was to then do a long running stitch over the lines to make them more permanent. This will be easy to remove as I do the actual embroidery. I used whatever thread I had to hand to mark the lines.

Here I was going back with a different thread colour and altering some of the lines. Unfortunately, the cloak was not up against the wall for drawing on and despite Jahanarabanu's great attempts to hold a box behind the cloak for me to write against, the very act of placing the chalk against the fabric altered where the pattern sat. I also wasn't able to do the entire pattern this way, so I have yet to add both tails to the pattern but I have altered all the lines on one half, including changing the lines that form the neck of the serpents so that they would meet the heads at their new location. That makes the one half ready to stitch apart from the missing tail.

Anya's cloak - 4th roundel :)

2008-03-27T21:12:00.001+01:00

...and again some new progress :)

Cloak

2008-03-23T15:19:00.004+01:00

My husband decided he needed a new cloak. Then he asked if I would be willing to embroider something on it. I figured he would want something embroidered on the front shoulders to flank the clasp or perhaps something embroidered along the cloak opening, so I said 'sure'. He wanted something Celtic, so I handed him my book on designs from the Book of Kells. I think that was the problem. He ended up choosing three patterns, all of which would cover most of the back of the cloak. ACK!
Since I either love my husband very much or am a glutton for punishment, we finally decided to place a modified version of this pattern (the original being probably less than an inch in width):

With the help of Jahanarabanu we modified the pattern so that the heads of the serpents/dragons would come up over the shoulder of the cloak. We have not yet transferred the design to the cloak, so I'm sure that there will be a bit of further adjusting.
The cloak is black or very dark blue wool. My plan is to outline the whole thing in yellow silk and then fill it with red silk. I plan to use a chain stitch for all parts of this.

I fear that this may not qualify for this challenge, as I probably cannot document this kind of design on a cloak, especially for his time period and place (early period German). I also will not be using any new stitches. I had already planned this project before I heard of the challenge.

Anya's cloak - third roundel :)

2008-03-09T23:37:00.000+01:00

Roundel3-007
Ursprünglich hochgeladen von racaire

...and again some new progress :)

new pearls for Anya's Laurel Cloak :)

2008-03-02T21:44:00.001+01:00

Many thanks to Alenn, Dragomira, Odindisa, Halfdan, Ruven & Kasssandra for submitting this beautiful pearls for Anya's Laurel Cloak :D

Thank you very much - you rock! :)

Anya's cloak - second roundel :)

2008-02-26T23:04:00.001+01:00

...and again some new progress concerning the second roundel (diameter of the roundel: ca. 9cm)

7th Century Persian Cloak

2008-02-23T13:40:00.003+01:00

I have a cloak or more appropriately a cape, (it was supposed to be full length, but due to a cutting error on my part it came out only knee length), that is still unfinished. I have been playing with the idea of embroidering ivy all over it since I first cut it out. This challenge has inspired me to put this back on my short list of projects! I need to get the other blue linen sleeve done, before I can begin this embroidery project, but I should have more than enough time to get this done before the challenge ends!

Namaste,
Jahanarabanu Vivana

Anya's cloak - first roundel :)

2008-02-04T22:50:00.001+01:00

Anya's cloak - first steps :)

2008-02-02T21:53:00.001+01:00

I started today with the embroidery of the first roundel for Anya's cloak :)
...and I made some pictures of the pearls I collected till now:

...from the left to the right side: pearls sent by Bridget (not real pearls but they will be perfect for the gloves), Katharina (the colorful ones), Fiona and finally my own pearls on the very right side - you are great my dear friends!!! ...and many thanks for plundering your treasuries :)

Alenn, Odi, Halfdan, Drago, Ruven and Kasssa donated some money and ordered some pearls for Anya's cloak and as soon as they arrive they will forward them to me - thank you soooooo very much - you really rock! :D
I am still waiting for the pearls Anya wanted to send me but she seems to be very busy at the moment and I don't want to bother her with this.

...btw. if you find some pearls that you would like to donate, please don't hesitate to write me a comment here or an eMail :)

...ok, I hope I will soon have a photo of the first embroidered roundel for you :)

Headway and setback for early 15thC jacket

2008-01-15T21:04:00.000+01:00

I've gotten approval on the silk, colors and project from my son. And I've read up and studied enough photoes to start on the first mockups. But I'm a bit stumped atm due to problems finding loose cotton stuffing. Can anybody recommend somebody who sells over the internet ?

Anya's cloak - first steps :)

2007-12-26T21:08:00.000+01:00

Good news - the red merino wool fabric is dry - I just fetched it from our washkitchen downstairs.
I have to iron it carefully and I hope a good idea and solution for the next steps will strike me soon... :)

btw.: merry christmas and a happy new year :)

Anya's cloak - first steps :)

2007-12-16T02:23:00.000+01:00

Pearls:
Katharina already sent some beautiful pearls and I bought some via eBay (about 1 week before I got to know that I really would need them *lol* :)
Anya, Fiona & Bridget promised to send more pearls :)

~ dear gentle reader of this blog,
if you find some pearls you would like to donate,
please don't hesitate to let me know :D ~

Fabric:
Today I pre-washed the red merino wool fabric for Anya's cloak (washing machine: wool, 30°C) and I think it will take about 2-3 days for drying

Thread:
Because of the amount of thread I will need in relation to the money I can afford for this project after buying a lot of pearls, I decided to buy some of the "Lana Grossa - Basics hp No.31 - Color 30 Partie 3050" - the thread I normally use for my embroidery projects (except for the wallhanging) - about 115 m per ball of wool and because I can split the thread in 3 thinner threads, I have a total of about 340m per ball and I think that's a very good deal for about €2,70 per ball - the wool shop had only 2 balls left, but with my ball of wool I will have enough wool until the shop gets a new delivery :)
Ok, it's Cotton but the color is very beautiful and bright and the thread is not as sensitive as wool thread concerning care or working with it. I made a small sample - Satin Stitch - using different threads and this was the thread with the best looking result :)

Update 24.12.2007:
Many thanks to Mistress Bridget & Lady Fiona for the pearls that arrived today :)

Anya's cloak

2007-12-07T17:27:00.001+01:00

I added some color to give you a better impression of what I am planning for Anya.

The cloak is inspired by the pictures of russian cloaks Anya sent me and some other cloaks like the one from the austrian treasury - cloak Rogers II (2x the lion on top of the camel) , the Sternenmantel and the cloak of the Hl. Kunigunde,...
it looks like Medallions are a well known stylistic element and are also placed as a part inside the border lines - that's why I also place the laurel roundels inside the border.

First the roundels and the border will be made - than the part which holds both sides together and avoids slipping the cloak from Anya's shoulders and the embroidery parts at the upper arms...

...and if some time is still left I will fill the cloak fabric with laurel wreaths - maybe with satin stitch or only the outlines in split-stitch or chainstitch,... - but really only if enough time will be left :)

...and maybe my good friend Lady Katharina, also a good friend of Anya, will provide some good looking gloves to this cloak :) - we will see...

btw.: the technique normally not used by me will be: russian pearl embroidery (I really hope that I understood this technique but soon I will know it for sure), I also never tried "diapered" couching before and I will have a lot of time to practise more 'normal' couching (with small patterns because of the modern gold thread I will use, I have done it seldom till now but I love this technique) - I think that are enough techniques I don't use very often :D

Racaire's project

2007-11-21T22:22:00.001+01:00

ok, the last weekend I was surprised with my main 'Something to keep you warm'-Project - maybe some of you know that Anya become a Laurel last weekend and now I am planning her Laurel-cloak and its embroidery - it looks like I have to learn a lot about Byzantine/Russian cloaks and their embroidery now.

sample for my project...

2007-11-03T00:22:00.000+01:00

...today I decided to make a 'Gugel'-sample for my project because I can test it at university

I am sure it will keep me warm and maybe I get some advice from some Lords and Ladies who are more experienced concerning sewing, patterns and 'Gugels' and this is a kind of garb I can wear while traveling to university and less garb inside my suitcase = more place for other things :)

Need to get started!

2007-10-24T19:49:00.000+02:00

I've decided to do 3" rondells for the scatterd sapphires and chalices that will go on the skirt. Now I just need to get my tush in gear and start them! It would probably help if I get the fabric and fur that will make up the sideless. ARGHHHHH!!! Where does the time go?

What to make ?

2007-09-25T22:51:00.000+02:00

Frankly, I have no idea what so ever of what to make. My son wants me to sew pictures on his viking clothes, but that can get a bit boring if I'm going to stick with historically correct . He wants chinese dragons btw.
:-)

As we only have reenactment groups here in Norway, my choice of timeframe is a bit limited and mid 17thC is out of period. It's viking or early 15thC unless I do another period just because I want to.

So I think I'll start out with a quilted silk purpoint for my son. And possibly a silkdress with gold/silver/pearls/silkfloss.... for me. Finally something other than the work outfit to wear to a market.

Gunvor

2007-09-24T21:25:00.000+02:00

Andie from Renaissance Dyeing likes our project very much and offers a 15% discount to everyone who wants to use Renaissance Dyeing crewel wool for the new challenge. :D
If someone of you wants to order some wool from Renaissance Dyeing please don't hesitate to contact me and I will provide you with the information how you will get your 15% discount.
Many thanks to Andie for this offer :)

2007-09-18T18:56:00.000+02:00

...btw. if someone of you still would like to make a quilt - I found at the Flickr page of Jane Stockton a beautiful picture of a part of the Tristan Quilt - lovely!
Many thanks to Jane for sharing this picture :)

Update 21.09.2007:
Thanks to Fotos von Medieval and Renaissance - V&A for sharing this beautiful picture :)
Yis Racaire

Project

2007-09-15T00:37:00.001+02:00

I made a second post tonight ,the other one is long enough

I will do Armenian embroidery on my new orange wool gown that I wore at Nibelungen War. It´s plain at the moment and so it´s a good chance to test the technique.
I can ask about some history of the embroidery technique and have all the materials for it here

I think it´s a good decision.

Greetz Alenn

Edited by Anya for grammar (upon request)

here I am again (Alenn)

2007-09-14T22:58:00.000+02:00

Racaire persuaded me to take part in the Challenge,too. I dont know what I want to make yet,and I think I will not decide it before University. After that I'll start new with projects and then I will show what I found for the documentation of what I'd like to make .Racaire and I discussed Embroidered Stockings ,but I haven´t found anything about them. I asked Giano and Kate from my shire ,and neither know more than me. There's a page where I found something , which also tells many things from the book "Textiles and Clothing"

http://katerina.purplefiles.net/garb/diaries/keep%20yer%20legs%20warme.htm

The second one, I think, was about was a flemish hood,but Racaire is making one ,too.
The next problem is that I use most medieval authentic stiches ,so there was nothing new for me. I found last time a technique which is called " armenian embroidery" ,and I'd like to test it .The works they show on the site are really great, and I'm also thinking about to making a blanket, but I also think it´s too much for my arm at the moment . Nothing is very easy at this time

http://armenianembroidery.tripod.com/index.htm#Basic%20Armenian%20Embroidery%20Stiches

So I like to ask
Does anyone have an idea where I can find something more about stockings with embroidery

or do you think i should test the armenian embroidery ??

oh,I´m sorry ..I forget my introduction ...
My Name is Alenn von Horn ,and I come from the Shire of the Two seas in Hamburg ,Germany. I'm
not new in the Shire ,but in the SCA .I have embroidered and sewn my whole life long, and since joining the Shire I do a bit more than before . At the moment, I'm working on different A&S Projects, also for both my classes at University. After this I can think about beginning my project for the challenge. My English ist not so good ,but I hope everybody will understand me. Please feel free to ask me anything

Yours Alenn

Edited by Anya for grammar (upon request)

Embroidered Headdresses :)

2007-09-14T20:33:00.001+02:00

Ursprünglich hochgeladen von racaire

...my yahoo account thought it would be a good idea to move my photos (ok, only 1 photo *lol*) from yahoo to flickr and therefore I registered for a flickr account and now, one month later, I know that this was a really good idea :)

...ok, for my project I was looking for pictures of embroidered gugls/ headdresses and here they are:

pictures - embroidered headdress :)

...and because I want to decorate the gugl with some bells I also was looking for some pictures of bells and here they are:

pictures - bells :)

...and because an embroidered dress would be also very fine:

pictures - embroidered dress :)

Cloaks

2007-09-14T08:46:00.000+02:00

Well after being very cold at an event in Wales, my next project was always going to be cloaks for myself and my lord, so the opportunity to join in this project seemed fantastic! No major research done yet so the stitches that I use are dependant on that, I shall let you know as soon as I do!

2007-09-12T09:54:00.001+02:00

thanks Anya, I got the links. I can only post to the blog from work, for some reason I can't see the blog at work. weird. Anyway thanks and I will look at what you are all doing when I can at home.

Thorvaldr

by the way....

2007-09-11T21:44:00.000+02:00

we forgot to mention:

"And keep in mind that the challenge isn't
limited to one item per person,
if you've got the motivation feel free to make more!"

Text added today :)

Lost was found!!

2007-09-11T21:21:00.000+02:00

It was 5:40pm at work and I only had 20 minutes left. I thought, "Well, I can check out a couple more websites." And there was the painting I had lost!!! http://www.sca.org.au/st_florians/university/library/articles-howtos/heraldry/HeraldicFrocksS.htm Surcoats are near the bottom, but this is where I'm getting my start!
It's very exciting to see what everyone is planning and can't wait to see the various stages of completion. Good luck to all and happy stitching!!

My project

2007-09-11T11:02:00.000+02:00

Well I am going to try something new for me. I plan on doing a dark grey woolen tunic with red and gold embroiderey on the hem, cuffs, and yoke. As I told Anya, since I have never done sewing before I suppose any stitch I use will be a new one :)

seams, pleats and patterns

2007-09-08T17:15:00.000+02:00

I thought about the pattern of the rain cloak. On all of the pictures you can see vertical lines. Are they pleats? Are they the pattern of the fabric? Are they quilted?
I'm quite sure that the cloak was made of wool with no linen inside - if it is a rain coat, wool is the best to keep the water away.
Is it a half circle? A 3/4 circle?
I'm a bit confused because of the lines here: http://flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1342714037&size=o and here: http://flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1342715613&size=o If you look at the bad weather picture it looks like the pleats or lines are horizontal with the beginning of the "cap". So it must be a 3/4 cloak, because it has more fabric in front of the body. But at the good weather picture all the lines are vertical! Here: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Frauen-Trachtenbuch_059.jpg they start vertically from the "cap" too and here: http://flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1343635576&size=o you can't see that much.
How is the visor attached? Is rattan cane in it to keep it stiff? Wouldn't that be damaged if it is to much in the rain?
Questions over questions ....

Anna's alternative project 2 - rain coat

2007-09-08T13:45:00.000+02:00

Some of you do already know this funky coat from Jost Amman: http://de.wikisource.org/wiki/Bild:Frauen-Trachtenbuch_059.jpg Recently I've found more about it: http://flickr.com/photos/avsfoto/tags/mecklenburg/ (the first three). It shows, that this kind of coat was worn at good weather too. I have no idea how to do it, but it looks nice. Maybe a 3/4-mantle with a kind of stiffened hood. Will have to check that.

Anna's alternative project 1 - Helgoländer

2007-09-08T13:42:00.000+02:00

If the research on simple quilts doesn't turn out good, here would me my first alternative: http://flickr.com/photos/tags/helgolaender/ So far I do only have pictures from this hat from the 19th/20th century, but I guess that a kind of stiffened hat existed in the 16th century too, just look at the Mary Stuart headwear. STill looking for more material, though.

Racaire's intro

2007-09-08T00:50:00.000+02:00

I think I also should write a short intro. I am living in the shire Ad Flumen Caerulum - in Austria, Vienna. Like Anya I am trying to finish my wallhanging - the wallhanging project will take some additional months because of its size and than I will be able to start a rather small project for this challenge. I am not a documentation freak but I will do my best to do the research for this project and Anya helps me a lot to succeed. I am a technique geek and I love to research embroidery techniques (I have to admit that I am a small perfectionist :) - till now I did some research for Refilsaum and soon I will start to make some research for the Klosterstich technique I use for my wallhanging).

Anya's intro

2007-09-08T00:04:00.000+02:00

Well, I suppose I should write a short intro too, eh? I'm in the incipient shire of Heilig-Drei-König, which is in Cologne, Germany. I think it's great to see how many places we all come from! I'm really excited about this project (I'll be starting the actual embroidery bit in a few months once I either finish the wallhanging or it finishes me :-) ). I'm a documentation freak, so if anyone is looking for resources or images, just let me know, I have a scanner...time to put my billions of books to actual use, right :-) Just please, remind me often, and remind me loudly. I'm a teacher and the semester is just starting, so I'm a bit forgetful at the moment. Welcome to you all!
Anya

Taryn's possible project

2007-09-07T21:39:00.000+02:00

Hi all! I'm Taryn from the shire of Silfren Mere in the Kingdom of Northshield. My thought is to try for a new sideless surcoat. The top will be fur and the skirt embroidered with cups and jewels from my personal device. I know I found pictures out on the web to support these elements, but do you think I can find them now?! I could have sworn I had them saved in my favorites, but I guess I should stop swearing because they're not there now. So it's back to the drawing board to find this stuff. Will keep you posted and looking forward to seeing what everybody else is working on!
Taryn

quilts for anna

2007-09-06T17:29:00.000+02:00

Hi Anna!

here are links to a bunch of different medieval quilts--the first one is the best

http://www.bayrose.org/wkneedle/Articles/Stitched.html
http://medieval.webcon.net.au/loc_italy.html
http://www.artisans-showcase.org/east/items/i_h_000065/

Anya

for Anna's project

2007-09-04T22:49:00.001+02:00

I had a look through all my books but I have only found one period example of a "Steppdecke" that could maybe useful for you:
copyright by the book: "Das Stickereiwerk"

"169 'Coperta Guicciardini', Steppdecke (Ausschnitt)
Sizilien gegen 1400
Florenz, Museo Nazionale (Palazzo Davanzati) und London, Victoria and Albert Museum (1391-1904)
205x256 cm und 310x270, Größe des Ausschnitts (Florenz) 105 x 75cm
Die jetzt zweigeteilte Decke zeigt in rechteckigen Feldern Szenen aus dem Leben Tristans. - Doppelte Leinwand. Die Zeichnung mit Steppstich ist in nun bräunlichen Leinenfäden genäht, Grund ausgefüllt mit dichten Reihen kleiner weißer Vorstiche.
Lit.: L. Morelli, Un trapunto trecentesco: Dedalo, Anno II 1921/22 S.70"

Yis
Racaire

Quick introduction

2007-09-03T21:09:00.000+02:00

Hello everyone, this is Cristina blogging from southern Nordmark. My project will be a wool bedspread done with intarsia. I just came back from a weekend in Stockholm where I visited the Museum of National Antiquities and got to look at their beautiful intarsia-work!

The bedspread will have two main functions; a new bedspread for our bed at home and something to cover the bed (and keep us warm) in the tent at Wisby Medieval Week (a 9-day long event in August which we visited for the 6th time this year!). This means the project needs to be finished well before August next year... better start with the research! :)

Racaire's project

2007-09-03T20:32:00.001+02:00

Sorry I forgot to post something about my project - at the moment I am thinking about 3 possibilities - 1) an embroidered gugl, 2) to embroidery my blue woolen dress (cotehardie) or 3) to make and embroider a new cotehardie...
At the moment I am looking for period examples for embroidered gugls, or for period embroidery on cotehardies (thank you very much for your help Anya!) - only problem: I have to finish my wallhanging before I can start with the next project - therefore I think that I will start only a rather small project for this challenge to be able to finish this project in time

Anna's project

2007-09-03T20:10:00.000+02:00

I would like to make a quilted bedcover as simple as possible. Right now I'm reading through the few sources which are to find in the internet and looking for books. Everything's open so far.

second image try

2007-08-30T20:38:00.001+02:00

my project

2007-08-30T17:38:00.000+02:00

Hi all! I've finally decided what to do: I'm making a Tudor dress which has detachable sleeves. I plan on making them from thick wool and doing crewel embroidery on them, which I've never done before. If any of you have any resources on Tudor embroidery techniques, please let me know! I'm thinking about using a pattern like one of the above. These images are from a bed curtain that is a bit later than the dress, but I'm hoping to find images with similar patterns done on Tudor garb.

Any suggestions are welcome! (see above post for images)

Anya

Welcome to Embroidery Challenge II: Son of Embroidery Challenge

2007-08-29T19:48:00.000+02:00

Sorry, but I think a new born blog needs a first post :) and because Anya has written such a wonderful text about our new Embroidery Challenge therefore I only copy the text from her eMail to the Drachenwald Mailing List and welcome you with it to our new Embroidery Challenge.
I hope you will enjoy participating in the new project or you will enjoy just visiting our blog and having a look at the progress of our participants :) I am very looking forward to read about the first ideas of our participants and to see the first pictures... :)
Yis Racaire ... and now, Anya's text :D :

Thats right everyone! The second embroidery challenge will begin on September 1st and run for one year (Racaire and I haven't finished our wall hangings yet, but since there was alot of interest shown in the next challenge we decided to start challenge II as planned:-) )! This time everyone who is interested may participate. We are stressing both research and embroidery, and as last time, at least 50% of the project must be done in a stitch not normally used by you.

This time around we are going for a more functional theme : things to keep you warm! The item embroidered must also be made by you, and can be anything from blankets to hats, gloves to stockings, coats to cloaks! The blog is already up and running, so for more info you can look here:

http://keep-you-warm.blogspot.com/

If you wish to participate in this year's challenge, you can email either me or racaire, both of our email addresses are on the blog. Research and sewing can take place in the project time, so don't wait! To get an idea of how the challenges are run, you can also look at the blog for the first challenge (the wallhanging challenge) : http://wallhanging.blogspot.com/

Several people approached me at Nibelungan about participating in this project and said that they weren't on the DM-L, so please, if you know someone in your group that would be interested, please let them know!

Anya