One week till crown

It's been decided that Neil will be joining me for crown in one week.  Naturally his garb is either to small or hidden in the storage unit so time to make him a quick tunic, but if you know me (and if you are reading this chances are you do) I can't do anything simple so I have something up my sleeve that I hope will make the tunic look really good and prep me for this year's IRCC

The colors are teal and black

and it will be done it off medium weight linen

Pieces have been hemmed now off to the washing machine

IRCC A Plan

This dress will be my jumping off point

I portrait of a woman by Bernardino Campi currently at the MET dated to the late 1560's.

There is a group that is encouraging folks to make garb in kingdom colors so this outfit will be my attempt at that. So it will be in the colors of my new kingdom gold and black.  As I love adding  heraldic elements to my gowns I will be doing a nod to my heraldry in the trim of the underdress.

My plan
Corset- inspired by the dorethea corset.  Canvas,  zip ties for boning. Lined in linen with a silk outer fabric and bound with silk bias tape.  Hand done eyelets and hand done lucet lacing cord.

Chemise- square neck very sheer silk for the body and a heavier silk for cuffs and neck facing possibly  with black work embroidery and possibly with hand made lace

Partlet- sheer silk maybe some white on white embroidery

Underdress- antique gold silk dress with black silk reverse applique trim.  Trim will be pomegranates and ermine spots might couch gold thread around shape to give it punch. Very close to shape in portrait looking to the elenor toledo gown for shape. Hand made lucet for lacing

Overdress- black silk decorations will depend on time might be very plain with additional decorations added after the competition

Belt- ouches and chain links in garter belt weave.  I've never tried chain mail so that will be an adventure

Veil- tulle and Venetian lace sewn to the edge. Will dye it gold although it might be more yellow depending on what kind of dye I could find. Tulle and lace are white so I have a better chance of matching color with dye

Necklace- not like portrait will be more like a carcanet. Similar ocher to belt with pearls so I cam attach my awards to the chain cause I like that look

If there is time:
petticoat
Fan
Earrings
Overdress decoration

Shipping list
corset
-canvas -bought -in possession
-zip ties -bought  -in possession
-silk -bought  -in possession
-linen -bought  -in possession

chemise
-sheer silk -bought  -in possession
-heavier silk -bought -misplaced atm

partlet
Silk -need to buy must wait for $

underdress
-gold silk -bought
-black silk - bought

Overdress
Need to buy must wait for $

Belt
Ouches bought
Chain need to get supplies to make

Veil
Tulle bought
Lace bought

Necklace
Need to buy supplies must wait for $

In stash
thread
Lucet supplies

SCA Resume

Apprentice to Maestra Suzanne de la Ferté, currently of Northshield

Awards
Swan and Escallop (Barony- Enthusiasm- One Thousand Eyes) 1/16/16
Stags Heart (Outlands- AoA Service ) 6/8/15
Sojourner of the Order of Evan (Barony- Persona Development- Caerthe) 3/29/14
Aspen (Barony- Service- Caerthe) 5/7/11
Flower (Outlands- GoA Arts) 8/6/08
Gilded Leaf of Caerthe (Barony-Arts- Caerthe) 9/1/07
Gentle Dragon (Barony-courtesy- Dragonsspine) 1/31/04
Argent Hart (Outlands- AoA Arts) 11/22/03
Award of Arms (Outlands) 1/5/02

Offices
One Thousand eyes Baronial Scribe  (Feb 16- present)
one Thousand Eyes Deputy Seneschal (Nov 15-present) 
Outlands Silent Herald Deputy (July 14-June 15)
Ravenhyrst Disabilities officer (July 14-June 15)
Caerthe Baronial Scribe (Oct. 13-:June 15) 
Outlands Northern Scribal Deputy (Aug 08-July 11)
Caerthe Arts and Sciences Minister (March 08-Jan 10)
Chatelaine of Dragonsspine (Feb 04- Dec 04)

Events
Black Hart Ball Autocrat 2009 (canton Bloodstone)
Black Hart Ball Autocrat 2010 (canton of Bloodstone)
Golden Thimble Autocrat 2014 (canton of Ravenhyrst)
Just Desserts Autocrat 2014 (Canton of Ravenhyrst)
Golden Thimble 2015 (Canton of Ravenhyrst)
Coronation co-autocrat spring 2015 (Barony of Caerthe)

Recognitions
Baron's champion for the barony of One Thousand Eyes  (A&S) January 16 2016
2nd place in the second Italian Renaissance costume challenge held by the Realm of Venus 2012: http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/challenges/IRCC2012/IRCC-II-2012-ChristaG.htm
3rd place in the first Italian Renaissance costume challenge held by the Realm of Venus 2011:
http://renaissanceitaly.net/TempFiles/IRCC-ChristaGordon.htm
Featured Costumer on the Realm of Venus Feb. 2009http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/yourgarb/2009/Magdalena.htm
Featured Costumer on the Realm of Venus Feb. 2007http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/yourgarb/2007/Anora.htm

Retinue
Lady in waiting- Daman & Veronique- Artemisia Royal
Lady of the Wardrobe- Tomas & Symmone - Barony of One Thousand Eyes
lady in waiting- Eric & Brigitta- barony of Dragonsspine
Lady in waiting- Hoegardden & Chiara- barony of Caerthe

Other
Heraldic umbrella- Lady of the rose choice at Queens Prize 2015
Created new Banner for the Barony of Dragonsspine 2010
Created new kneeling pillows for the Barony of Dragonsspine 2009
Created new kneeling pillows for the Kingdom of the Outlands 2009
Featured on SCA Today- http://www.scatoday.net/node/21306
Featured in the Denver Post- http://neighbors.denverpost.com/viewtopic.php?source=phpbb_art_viewall&t=18799385
Completed Dragonsspines Quest- based on the quest by the Barony of Appledore- my quest blog: http://scaquest.blogspot.com/
2nd place in the Research Papers division Kingdom A&S 2010 (paper on courtesans)
2nd place -in the Costume division Kingdom A&S 2008 (Recreation of Edward VI from painting)
Ask the Tudor Girl- a feature with the first season of the Tudors on the shows official page
Costumes featured in the featurette on the costumes of the series The Tudors
Costume Recreation of Edward VI toured United States with painting 2008-2010
Contacted by Museum of Sex to help identify items from Italy dealing with Courtesans- mostly Contraceptive devices
Assisted with recreation of Mary Queen of Scots execution gown which was on Display at the Tower of London 2003-2009

Articles
Courtesans an overview-one thousand eyes newsletter
Written several renditions of a Silent Heralds Manual first in 2000, latest updated in 2013
Silent heralds manual in Outlands heralds and scribes Proceedings 2010
Silent heralds manual in Known World heralds and scribes Proceedings 2010
Elizabethan ruffs- Dragonsspine newsletter
Hand kissing- Dragonsspine newsletter
Starting black work- Dragonsspine newsletter
Introduction to courtesans - helioherald (bloodstone)
ASL in the Sca, being Deaf in the Sca -Fortress (caerthe)

Classes
Sign language:
Basic Sign Language- focus on conversation- Battlemoor 2014 (informal) , Inlandish 2015
Deaf Culture- Battlemoor 2014 (Informal), Battlemoor 2013 (informal)
Here is your sign- learning to be a silent herald- Dragonsspine Practice 2013, Battlemoor 2013, Stagscon 2011, 12th night 2010, Stagscon 2009, Ravenhyrst A&S 2009, 3 stags 2009
How to feed and care for your Silent Herald- Crossroads 2009, Feast of fools 2002
Using Silent Heralds for the signing impaired- Heralds and Scribes 2015

Courtesan:
All about Italian Courtesans- 12th night, Calontir 2014, Dragonsspine A&S 2013 Pennsic 2008, 3 stags 2007
Venetian Costuming- Crossroads 2009, 3 stags 2009
The Honest Courtesan- Crossroads 2009, 3 stags 2009, Crossroads 2008, Caerthe A&S 2008
Sex, lies and videotape" or Courtesans and the movie Dangerous Beauty- Caerthe A&S 2007
Period Courtesans- Crafting the Flower 2012
Courtesans taught in persona- Studium Generale III 2011,Barons war 2011, Studium Generale II 2010, Crossroads 2010,Studium Generale I 2009, Pennsic 2008 (taught at Casa Bardicci) Dragonsspine A&S 2008, Dragonsspine A&S 2007, 

Other:
Persian garb made simple- barony one thousand eyes fighter practice 2015
Boleyn Myths, Busted! - Ravenhyrst A&S 2009
Court Dance- Bloodstone potlucks (several months)
Courtly Love and the Art of Hand Kissing- Dinner and a Tourney 2008
Walking with Style (Court Dancing)- Elizabeth Celtic festival Demo 2008, Crossroads 2007
Ivy Scrolls- 3 stags 2009
roberts rules and what do they have to do with SCA meetings- Bloodstone 2009
courtly speech or speak trippingly on the tongue- Feast of Fools 2002
Courtly love round table, (is it really all it's cracked up to be??) Feast of fools 2002
Blackwork- Dragonsspine A&S 2008

when is too hot to pack

So I've been packing and prepping for the move but with the  air conditioner dead in the middle of the day its too hot to do anything but sit on the couch and stew so I got started on the first project in my ambitious outfit.

Heraldic  pockets

For those just coming to the party these are my arms

So I came up with a plan of one black and one white pocket 

And  I got started with the embroidery using a combo of  chain and split stitch 

I'm pleased with my progress so far

ambitious project

I'm playing with undertaking a huge project.  A full italian outfit Sewn 90%  by hand. It's looking like I will have some time on my hands so I can under take this

The only Thing I will not be sewing by hand is the quilted petticoat mainly because it is highly experimental and really detailed in a medium I have never tried before.  As money is incredibly tight I well be using a faux silk I have in my stash,  the chemise and partlet will be out of silk from my stash the pockets from linen in my stash. There will be lots of embroidery and hand aplique.

This will be heraldicly inspired by my arms and  badge  including   elements such as pomegranates and ermine

My  arms 

My  badge 

The dress inspiration 

The plan 

it's never too early

To plan for next years Italian renaissance costuming challenge.

The IRCC ends in a couple of weeks and I'm so glad I didn't do it this year. Between our financial issues and the move there is no way I could have pulled it off. By the time the IRCC comes around again I'll be in a different state and in a new kingdom. Maybe, just maybe I'll be be with folks who understand the challenge and it will be more then just a blip on their radar.

The one thing I have learned from completing the challenge twice before is you have to have a plan. This also helps as I can start spreading out the costs for supplies although I am going to be on a very tight budget. I've already decided to use faux silks as the cost for the yardage  I will need will be expensive.

The inspiration:

From 'Mores Italiae' 1557 Venice

I've never done this style before so it will be an interesting challenge. I don't know what out it's about this image, maybe it's the color combination but it so speaks to me.

Fabrics-

My samples finally arrived after 2 months of waiting.

For a faux silk these have a nice weight and body to them. I used this fabric when I did the costumes for Kismet and while it's not ideal overall it's a good facsimile, and at just under $5 a yard it makes it affordable.

The underdress is a very interesting color an orange/red/copper/gold. I couldn't find anything that would look like that color and I want pleased with the reds available so I'm leaning towards a copper. I like how the colors look together.

Layers-

Chemise- square neck with blackwork embroidery

Drawers- embroidered

Stockings- Eleanor Toledo knit 

Shoes- embroidered 

Partlet- ruffle

Corset- hand stitched embellishment

Petticoat- truptano and rope

Pockets- heraldic embroidered

Underdress- spiral cut sleeves, cutwork skirt

Over dress- black lined in blue,  gold bobbin lace trim, gold buttons

Of course if I get motivation to start it singer then the IRCC I'll just go for it

Moving

So after 18 years in the Kingdom of the Outlands I am moving. This is very sudden and I admit I'm a bit nervous about the move. Beyond the panic of trying to get the house ready for a move, It's very daunting to being going somewhere to start over again. It's a bit silly I know, but that is the truth of it.

I'll be going to the Barony of One Thousand Eyes, in the Kingdom of Artemisia. (Blackfoot, Idaho) To say that the outpouring kindness from my soon to be kingdom has be overwhelming is an understatement. Wow! Everyone has been so amazing. I'm not sure what the future holds for me but I am hoping that all will be looking up in my new Kingdom