Sewing and packing!

Since we are usually running behind schedule, I decided to get started with the packing early. I got a much-needed pair of trousers sewn for Ben today and got his bag packed for next weekend. I have Peter's garb together, just have to pack it up.

I have a little bit of sewing left to do, but with a week to do it in, I am sure that it will get done on time with no trouble. Most of it is just finish-work, anyway, which is a good thing. I am sewing 4 petticoats for me, a chemise, finishing 2 shirts, and 2 pairs of trousers for Eddie. I know it sounds like a lot for one week, but two of the petticoats just need waistbands on them and the chemise just needs the sleeves added. The shirts are cut out and the trousers are the quick-sew-need-them-in-a-hurry style.

Last time we went camping,we used a large rubbermaid tub which took up way too much room. This time, I am trying something much different; putting stuff in smaller containers and bags. This is so that the softer items can squish much easier in the car. Unfortunately, I didn't get the A-frame waterproofed, nor did I get the stake loops done on the bell wedge, so camping is going to be in the mundane style, once again. UGH! Oh well, I need to get my trailer done up anyway before hauling all my more period stuff, so no worries.

I am hoping to sneak in a favor for Eddie during this week. I have started and ditched two already. Maybe the third try is the charm.

The Giornea is finished but...

The green giornea is finished (pictures coming soon), and a new one started since I want to have at least two of them, BUT... now I have decided that I need new garb. I need new garb from a new era. Specifically around the 1540's in Florence.

I still plan to have a few gowns from the 1480's, especially with having the two giorneas, but have decided that I really prefer the later look.
Now all I need to do is continue the research, learn to cartridge pleat, and start planning what fabrics I will use. I have a pretty cream jacquard that is cotton that I think will do nicely, as well as some gold fabric. I am trying so hard to be good and not buy more fabric, but it is soooo hard.

I have decided that I really do want a giornea or two to finish out my garb

I am going to make the mint green fabric into a girnea and sleeves. I may be lucky enough to have a bit left to add to other things as well, possibly a hat for my husband, etc.

Here is the fabric for the giornea:

I have been looking at paintings by Domenico Ghirlandaio as well as viewing the dress diaries online from various seamstresses that have made a giornea. Mine will be a simple shape, no gores, and will be lined with muslin. I am using muslin because I have it on hand. I am still trying to use up what fabric we have on hand before buying any more.

So far, I have decided that mine will have a "V" neck and will be open on the sides only. I may try one that is open down the front at a later time.

The fabric that I have chosen for my next gown is blue, but oddly enough, it goes well with the mint and cream for the giornea.

I will post images as I go along, at least as many as I remember to take.

I am forgetting the giornea...

In order to maximize the amount of gowns that I can get from my fabric stash, I am going to forget the giornea for now. Instead, I will make gowns and bodices, as well as a few extra sets of sleeves. I think this will help save a bit of money while I am trying to build up a wardrobe for the four of us.

From what I have researched, any synthetic gowns I make will need to be left at home when we go to Pennsic, so needless to say, I will need to make some simple gowns from cotton broadcloth or a lightweight linen (if finances allow) to wear specifically in the hot weather.

Although I have an Italian persona, I am seriously thinking about making simple tunics with shorter and wider sleeves that I can use a simple tie-belt with. Although not period without the under tunic, I think this might be a good way to have more wardrobe for less and be a bit cooler as well, especially if I can get some lighter weight linen or cotton. I am still hoping to have the majority of my garb fit the persona, however.

I am still researching the area for my persona and have found a few portraits, and although they are helpful, I am still needing to do more research. Until I have all I need, I am making basic Italian ren-type gowns to do "for now."

I did find a portrait that is PERFECT for my blue velvet, though and will have to make a simple cotton trial run for the gown. I will get to it as my sewing skills improve as well as my pattern-making skills. They are improving, not as fast as I would like, but I am getting there.

Well, back to the sewing table....

Slow going on the sewing, but...

I did it! I won! I completed the 50,000 words in 30 days! My book is probably awful and full of mistakes, but it is complete as far as this challenge went. I hope to do it again next year. Although not easy (some days I typed at least 5,000 words) it was fun.

I still can't believe that I did it. Now, I have to make the gifts for my sister's baby shower (scratch mitens, bootees, and bib - all pre-made, just have to cross-stitch the design on them) and then get our sewing done.

I made a lucky find in my craft bin & progress update

I found a now-discontinued pattern that can be used (with modifications) to make a men's shirt, doublet, hat, and pants. The pattern is actually for leggings, but as none of my guys wear those, I just cut it larger to make the pants. My husband's jerkin was made using an old shirt that was cut up, with a few modifications and extra seam allowance added. Now that I have this pattern, though, that shirt can now be used for other items thta need to be a bit smaller.

At the local thrift store, I was lucky to find some fabric at a really great price to work with as well. I have sewn the linen pants for Peter and need only to attach the codpiece and do the waist and leg casings. I have cut out a pair of poofy pants from a light blue for him, which will have strips attached and will look more like pluderhosen than the linen pants. For this pair, I plan to make a codpiece that is shaped a bit differently, also.

I made Eddie another pair of pants as well and have another pair cut out. Added to the tan trousers I had already sewn, that is three more pairs for him. It seems that at least part of his wardrobe of garb is well on its way. I will cut out his next jerkin this evening, which may possibly have sleeves that can be attached to make a doublet. It just depends on what he decides. Right now, he is opting for no sleeves, mostly to save me time, but I can always add a strip with eyelets later, though, if he changes his mind.

For Ben, I took some of the fabric from the thriftstore, a red and white striped woven fabric, and have sewn trousers. Also, the linen trousers are cut out and ready to be sewn up. His next tunic, a green one from a cotton/linen blend is already cut out, trim chosen, ready to be sewn. I am going to also give making a cover for his head a try. I have some yellow linen that is left from a tunic that will become a tabard for Ben, also. Along with looking nice, it will help him to keep his tunic a bit cleaner.

For me, the first giornea is cut out most of the way and I cut out the pieces to make two cauls. I had started one a couple of weeks ago but have misplaced it. Knowing me, it got lost when I took it with me to work. My next gown, a green one from an olive shade is planned. The skirt is sewn and now I need only to make the bodice. I am going to try a different approach this time, one that I am hoping will be easier, so we'll see how that goes. I am still working on the eyelets for the bodice that I made to go with a skirt (quick and easy garb that is period-ish) for when I need something garb-wise that stands a good chance of getting dirty.

The goal of one piece of garb per person per week is not being met as of yet, but I see progress being made and at a fairly good pace. As I can, I will take pictures and will post them.

Well, off to the sewing machine...

What I am currently working on...

I have started to get my sewing a little organized. I say "a little" because the more I try to get things straight, the more I am apt to mess them up. I figure if I just "loosely" organize the stack of planned sewing projects they may not end up so crazy.

I am starting out this week by working on three pieces of garb: a prototype giornea for me, a pair of trousers for Ben, and a pair of really loose trousers for Peter that will have a false cod piece in the front. These are kind of "faking-it" breeches for Peter as he wants to have the general look on a Landsknecht, but refuses to wear the pluderhosen that hug the rear. This is fine by me, as I really dread all the piece work that these kind of breeches require.

Both pairs of the pants will be from the same fabric - a medium-to-heavy weight linen that is off-white with a black thread running through it. This thread gives the pants almost a pinstripe loo, but not really. Hard to explain the look, exactly. I will take pictures of the pants as they are finished up, though.

The prototype fabric is actually a poly-cotton blend and is upolstery fabric. It is heavy but does not have a plastic backing. It is a mint and cream color with the cream being the accents on the leaves of the design. I will post images of the fabric tomorrow. I took pictures but haven't loaded them onto the pc just yet.

This evening I also made a paper pattern for my husband's jerkin from the cut up shirt that I used for the one he now has. I am hoping to make him a doublet that will match a green gown that I am planning. I also have plans to play with different styles of sleeves in the near future.