S'okay....ummm, yeah, it's been awhile. I have been a bit busy though. Lots of shows costumes, some commission costumes, a bit of knitting (although mainly I am merely amassing a vast collection of, "I want to make this" pattern instead of getting time to actually knit.)

But until now, nothing for me. So, after four years, yes, four years of not making any Ren. clothing for myself, I have embarked on a new adventure. And not just any ol' garb. I have a nice trossfrau in the making for my intention to join a Landsknecht reenactment guild. For those who don't know, basically the Landsknechts were the really awesome looking "Germans" in the 16th century or so who were mercenaries throughout Europe. Yes, lots of death, drinking, dismemberment, debauchery, depression and tons of other unhappy things went along with their life. But more to the point, they dressed really cool! And for the purposes of this set of blog posts, that is what counts. If they went out, they were going out in style. (and practicality, but style is always good too.)

On the to do list I therefore have:


one hemd (chemise/shirt/shift type thing) of fine linen, smocked

one set of linen drawers (period or not? who quite knows, but I don't like drafts in the cold or my thighs getting stuck together in the heat, so there. nyah)

one set dove grey wool hose

one set linen hose(I might even go all out and do vertical stripes on these babies, oh yeah)

one underskirt of tawny wool with gold wool band

one underskirt of linen (color TBA)

one kleid(dress) of dark brown wool with peache wool guarding and gold wool to be seen beneath the slashes

one apron of honeycomb smocked linen (probably to be worked during faire hours so I have something to keep me looking busy)

one gollar of wool (color TBA)

one set of leather medieval style mittens(the ones with the Vulcan style three fingers)

one wulsthaube and steuchlein of fine linen and wool wadding(mushroomy head wrap thing. It's cool, really, just go with me on this one)

two woven belts

one knit and felted tellerbarret(big sun and rain stopping "platter hat")

Wow, when you type things all out, they seem much more numerous than when they float around in your head. Sheesh. And no rush or anything, I only have to have most of it ready by, oh, the 1st of May. How do I get myself into these things again?

I'll post later with more serious stuff about character and research, but for now I have acquired most of the materials and am plodding through patterning and pleating. The wool underskirt is done except for attaching the band, hemming and adding a closure. All of the, "do while watching a movie" hand sewing stuff.

The kleid skirt panels are ripped out of the fabric and I have done sample pleating to figure out how I want the pleats to work. I think I am ready to put that together now.

The kleid bodice mockup has been fit once, and after I make the adjustments from the fitting I think that will be all set.

The hose pattern was made a while ago, but I am debating re-doing it to be the style of seaming I prefer. Not sure yet...that one is on hold for the moment. Also, I could get away with wearing my many pairs of long stocking for dress rehearsal I am sure if I had to, so that one is on the bottom of the list.

I have ordered swatches for the hemd.

Most other things have to wait until the important stuff is done before I get to them.

Pictures, progress updates, and general costume rants to come in the near future. That's all for now folks.

new apartment!

So, I have taken a job in Massachusetts. I am moving in to my new apartment, which is currently a pile of boxes in newly painted rooms. As per usual I am getting myself too busy by taking a job working on the costumes for the CT Faire before and during my move to Massachusetts. In other words, I may not be unpacking until November sometime. After the faire and my friend's wedding. For now, I will say that knitting-wise I have finished one and a half socks, one baby hat, a neckwarmer, and started some other small projects. No pictures of those as of yet though, so you will have to make do with the before pictures from the apartment.

Living room windows~ aren't they nice? lovely wood floors too. Not so lovely wall paper that I may dispose of if I have time, energy, and money this winter.

Living Room~Fireplace and view into dining room. Also showing the really cool fireplace screen that I got at an auction for $10.

Living Room ~ Again, the view into the dining room and through into the kitchen. Also you can see half of my wonderful mother trimming out the fresh paint in the kitchen.

Living Room ~ As seen from the dining room.
The door on the left is the entrance from the front hall.

first socks...well, sock

I have been making progress on my sock. I am nearly to the ribbing at the top of the sock, and am able to try it on and pretend that I can wear it already. I still have to make another one, but I have hopes that all that I learned on this one will make everything much easier on the second one.

I got back from the most disappointing day at faire yesterday. We went up to Sterling Festival and were poured on by torrential rain of Biblical proportions all day. At least until we decided that it was never going to end and we should just go. At least we were right, it never ended. The only thing that saved us from terrible depression was going to a wonderful Indian food restaurant in Uttica on the way home. The day was not entirely a loss. Oh well, it had to happen sooner or later in my faire experiences.