Random and unrelated things make a post...

[guenievre]

Thing the First: An overdue note that Summer War was *phenomenally* fun. Pics are here, and my favorite is this one.   Although fighting was not *quite* as much fun as handing out cupcakes (for those who wanted the recipe - they're dreadfully simple AND tasty, though don't be shocked when the batter comes out WAY thinner than you think it should).

Thing the Second: Work is finally calming down! I can crawl out of my cave! Whee! (For those I haven't mentioned it to, several of our largest accounts all put out major rfps or otherwise wanted presentations/quotes/etc over the past month - thus the lack of Sapphire Joust and me at canton meetings. Bleh. But yay employment.)

Thing the Third: I've been sewing a lot the past few evenings, with mixed success. My sewing machine Does Not Like gambesons, but I perservered and have all except a few lacing holes done on a new one for Girard - I've never made one before, so yay me. (Though ironically I cut it out and started it before buying *either* of the recent patterns for such, so guess I'll be making another one, maybe for me, later). I'm still trying to decide whether the eyelet plates for my sewing machine are in fact more trouble than they are worth - they do not stay *on* the machine , thus I end up breaking a lot of needles. Not so good for the machine. On the other hand, there are some things I don't believe in doing handwork on. Like fighting garments of almost any sort, esp. ones that are going to get worn All The Time. Esp. not after how long the quilting takes. So...it's an interesting tradeoff. Maybe I should just make G do his own eyelets, but I tend to sew so that he has to do the housework. (Yep, I'm spoiled.)

Thing the Fourth: Speaking of sewing, had a mixed experience with that last night. I ordered kass_rants's sideless surcote pattern when it came out, which I was rather intrigued to find that according to package directions, only took two yards of fabric (60"). I *had* exactly two yards of grey wool leftover from my grey-and-red outfit, which isn't enough (I thought) to make *anything* out of, so I said, hrm, this won't take long, and it'd be lightweight pennsic garb.  The pattern, though... had pros and cons. It was definitely easy to use - with the exception of the cutting layout that didn't work for me -  but I *really* didn't like the results. I *may* have mismeasured my back-length, as the flare of the skirt starts lower than I would put it, and that would certainly distort the whole thing. So there was that problem.. and of course with the minimal fabric used there wasn't enough fullness to the skirts (but I like *really* full skirts - see the red dress with the couch-eating hem, if all my dresses had that much skirt I'd be happy as a clam), but really? I think sideless surcotes just don't work on busty women with minimal hips. So, that said, anyone want a mostly finished grey wool surcote? French seamed, I'll finish the last of the gores before I hand it to you and the hems (on all sides) are up to you. Reconstructing History size G.It's free, the fabric was leftovers anyway and I only spent a couple hours on it. Edit: Jenny called dibs on the surcote, if she doesn't take it I'll repost.

Thing the Fifth: 6 week old kittens are made of fluff and squee and needles. 12 week old kittens are just made of needles. Mine is obsessed with my hair... and crawling up me to GET to said hair. Oww oww oww.  So cute though!

Comments

[strawberrykaren.livejournal.com]

It's quick (the ones I made, IIRC, just had the seams from the hip to the floor), but for quick Pennsic garb, it's not like it's the only layer in an outfit ;) so it's probably better to make a gown or kirtle you do like rather than a surcoat on top that makes you say, "Meh."

The two that I made were both heraldic surcoats (using a combination of applique, couching, embroidery, beadwork, etc. as necessary for each heraldic bit). Of course, now that I've done more research, I know that the way I'd trimmed the edges of my surcoat was pretty inaccurate (in addition to the fabric, the style of ornamentation, and the 3D aspect of the strawberries) -- but I don't wear it that often, what with my brilliant idea to have white velvet go all the way to the bottom.

Have you considered one of the Manesse-style surcoats, maybe? Or a gardecorps?

[lady-guenievre.livejournal.com]

Still terribly early for me - my current favorite style is the sort of thing I'm wearing in this - http://ursus.smugmug.com/gallery/8852798_bqMfo#586706305_ygkbR-A-LB - which due to a quirk of proportions I can make completely form fitted in the bust without having to put any sort of buttons or lacing in it. So, an unlined one without terribly fancy sleeves? *very* quick.

[strawberrykaren.livejournal.com]

I primarily do 14th/15th century (and I tend to do fitted gowns sans lacing/buttons too) but I've got a nice 13th century set, with a neckline inspired by the pattern on this seal bag, that I wear from time to time. Sometimes it's fun to diversify. ;-)

Gardecorps are just a couple of straight lines, really, and can be worn over just about anything that doesn't have fussy sleeves of its own -- and it's worn by men, too.