Apprentice Gift

I took on my second apprentice this weekend at Solstice Court in the Barony of Loch Salann. HL Cathryn Anne of Newbury is a lovely lady with some wonderful embroidery skills. I'm incredibly honored to be able to work with her.

In honor of this event, I made and gifted her with a hand-bound book, so that she may journal about her artistic endeavors, document what she wants to, and hopefully indicate areas that she enjoyed and things she'd do differently for the next project. So much of what she does ends up given away due to her generous nature, so I want her to keep track of what she's doing.

I crafted the covers with chipboard covered in goat skin, that has been stamped and dyed to look like snake skin. This is not a period practice as far as I know (leatherwork is not an area of study for me...yet), but the end result is lovely and frankly, I liked it (though it proves to be incredibly difficult to photograph). The bindings are done in coptic stitch out of green waxed cotton. The end papers are also green. Green is the color oft used to signify an apprentice/laurel relationship, so this was why I chose this color.

Laurel/Apprentice Relationships

My lovely and dear friend Mistress Bethany took a new apprentice on Saturday at Baron's War. You can click here to view an album of pics which includes this event.

I was standing next to the lovely and talented Fiametta da Trastavere, who was explaining to someone standing nearby what an important step this is for an artist, and what a memorable moment it is for those involved. I remember turning and nodding in complete agreement and noting that I often feel jealous because I never got that. Fia pointed at my laurel medallion saying, "but you got that." Have I mentioned that I sometimes have a tendency to be socially awkward?

This got me thinking about the journey I chose and how I can help other artists more than I have been. I chose not to ask for apprenticeship of a laurel, so if I feel jealous that I didn't have "that" relationship, it's my own fault. I made this choice for very personal reasons including my mundane situation, and my own goals. I wanted to work on my craft for my own personal satisfaction, and if it led to something bigger, then so be it. Another reason, though small when added to the hat of reasons, was that I'm obscenely shy (no, really), and asking someone would likely have given me a heart attack.

I fully support and admire Laurel/Apprentice relationships, and would love to nurture them now that I'm in different circumstances. That said, I have some thoughts on the matter.

1. I will teach anyone who wishes to learn; an official relationship is a personal choice and something to consider on a case-by-case basis. One does not have to be an apprentice to ask me questions and learn.
2. I will probably not seek out apprentices; I will not make broad presumptions and ask others. That said, I am open to those approaching me - consider this an invitation to ask me.
3. Being an apprentice does not mean you will become a Laurel. That is a personal journey to which I can help guide and advise, but there are no guarantees.
4. I am a scribal arts Laurel, who does some dabbling in costuming and embroidery.  How much I can teach you will be very limited unless your areas of interest somewhat match my own. (Though I am willing to help match you to those who are masters of their craft in your area of interest.)
5. In the SCA, you will get out of it what you put into it.  
6. If you're not enjoying yourself, you're doing it wrong.

Latest Projects

I have not been sitting in the dark since the gold brocade gown, though that may seem to be the case. After the announcement that I would be sitting vigil for elevation to Laurel, I depended on the lovely Serafina Basso, who did my gown with the assistance of several people in beading and jewelery. I was utterly pleased with the results, pictures of which can be seen all over the web, but here are a few of my favorites:



I take pretty much no credit for that gown, save perhaps the design and fabric choice (a fabulous green/blue shot silk taffeta imported from Thailand). But, of course, I had to share.

Since then, I have created a Golden Maple Leaf Scroll, a Norse tunic, and a norse rectangular cloak.

The latest project was a ginger colored linen gown, with aqua linen guards. It was originally intended to be a middle-class Open-front Venetian, but ended up more of a Campi-style working class, with a dropped V-waistline rather than straight. This all happened accidentally due to an error in seam allowance, but it all worked out rather well, I think.

The dress is quite comfortable. The bodice is interlined with cotton duck and the front, along the hand-sewn eyelets, is boned with four pieces of 1/4" spring steel boning (2 pieces in each channel, 2 channels on each side). The guards were hand sewn, and the apron was added at the last minute with a scrap of grey linen and some red cotton cord from my stash. The apron was 100% sewn by hand.



I'm overall quite pleased with how this project turned out, though I do intend to create matching sleeves for days I don't want to be quite so "dressed down." I now have camping garb that both fits and is in good repair. It is a momentous occassion!

Gold Brocade Venetian Gown

Sadly due to a camera loss incident, I don't actually have many pictures of my creative process on this project, and those I do have are poor camera phone photographs.

This project started out with the girls hanging out at artsy night discussing Solstice Court dressmaking plans, to which I bemoaned the fact that there was no way I would be able to afford fabric to make a new gown. Serafina, being the amazing, generous lady she is, promptly handed me a bolt of jaw-droppingly gorgeous gold brocade that has a shimmer to it that no photographs can properly capture.

After futzing with my new corset for waaaay too long, I finally finished it and was time to start getting fitted for the new gown. All my old gown patterns are now useless due to some recent weight loss (which also happens to render my SCA wardrobe into a state of dusty pointlessness). This is both an awesome and annoying thing. Luckily Serafina is also amazing at draping and fitting and is always willing to help people.

I decided I wanted a gown done in the style worn in Venice, c. 1560-1570ish. I wanted the fabric to do most of the speaking on this because it says things so much better than embellishment can (typical for Venice at this time, actually).

I decided that while putting guards on a brocade gown was not extremely common, it was in fact done, as illustrated here. Guards are handy in that they can add a contrasting color while also hiding lacing stitches, as well as making hems clean and easy. It took me a while to find a fabric to choose for my guards, but after much contemplation, I chose a lovely pine green satin.

After stitching the guards down 100% by hand, I moved on to the skirts. All of my previous skirts have been a separate garment on a waist band which is hidden by skirting elements on the bodice. So this was a new thing for me. The most important trick was to grade the front of the skirting down to account for the "V" in the front of the bodice. As always, Serafina educated my brain and all went smoothly.

I also had to be cautious of lining up the pattern elements on the skirt - something I've never had to pay attention to in the past. I proceeded to cartridge pleat the skirts and attatch them to the bodice by hand. This was then followed up with the careful application of a hem guard.

This image is of my pillow wearing my gown. Doesn't it have a lovely figure? At this point all I had left to do on the project was to make a new camicia/smock and sleeves. A grand idea was concocted to make a shirt with starched standing lace for the collar. The shirt went together smoothly, as shown here, but after the starching part was complete, I decided that some modifications need to be made to this kind of neckline for a standing collar to work. I ended up wearing an older high-necked smock instead of my new shirt.





Solstice Court (Images all blatantly stolen from other people, mainly Serafina):









At the end of the day in court, I was called forward and asked to sit a vigil for potential elevation into the Order of the Laurel. Dig the "meep!" face I have here. I'm still shocked, to be honest.