20 replies to this topic

[El Presidente]

I'm running a workshop in March on making early medieval clothing so you have something to wear to the Medieval Fair in early May 2010 (or any other events). The early-medieval clothing I'm talking about is the sort of stuff they wore in the 1200's (13thC), so layered tunics (and optional trews for the men)

Kat has kindly offered her place at Modbury and the date will be Sat 20 March, from 10am - 5pm (bring a plate to share for lunch). PM myself, Kat or Merrick for her address.

Last time I did this it took at least two days (though that was with non-sewers) so I suspect we'll also need a second session as well, but we can always decide on a the second date (if needed) with those who attend the workshop. (Either the next day or the following weekend)

Attendees so far:
el presidente
Aremaous
Mandy?
Reactor Drone
Maceo
Mozzie
Jessie

[Kat]

I'm looking at running a workshop in March on making early medieval clothing so you have something to wear to the Medieval Fair in early May 2010 (or any other events). And as usual I'm looking for a volunteer to have it at their place.

The date is likely to be some in the last two weekends of March (20, 21, 27 or 28) and I reckon it will need to be two days, So is anyone interested in doing this?

Hi
I believe Easter is 3-5 April and we are planning on gong to Suth Moot. (most likely). I understand you are willing to actually run the workshop? If it was earlier, rather than later, then our place is availbable for the workshop. Would that suit?
Kat

[Darth_horus]

We are interested in coming along.

[aremaous]

add me too please

[El Presidente]

Sorry, been on leave so I didn't have my usual access to the internet ;-)

Kat, that would be great - we're trying out Suth Moot this year too, hence the choice of dates. First post amended. Thanks! (Are you two planning on making tunics as well?)

Workshop attendees so far:
el Presidente
Kat?
Darth Horus
Evil Rex
Aremaous
Mandy?

[mandy]

So far I'm interested, will have to check the date closer to the event though.

[Reactor drone]

Workshop attendees so far:
el Presidente
Kat?
Darth Horus
Evil Rex
Aremaous
Mandy?
Reactor drone


Sounds good.It'll give me the shove to actually make something anyway

[Maceo]

I'm thinking I might come along to this one.
I'm not very sewing-wise though. But would be good to maybe tag along, even if just to watch.

[Mozzie]

I'm interested in coming along to this one.

[El Presidente]

OK I've added Mozzie and Maceo to the list at the top. (Though this is basically the same outfit you did last year for Newcomers, Mozzie)

I've finally got around to giving you some more details on the garment. Just to give you an idea of what you should end up with - I've stolen these images from Historic Enterprises and if you want to just buy an outfit instead of making one then I would recommend these guys, at least as far as the 'periodness' of the garments - I've not ordered from them myself. (If they've based their garment on an extant garment, they tell you which one. But if it's not, they tell you that too.)

 Gown.jpg   51.06K   15 downloads
This is the basic version, both sexes wear pretty much the same garment(s).
 Mens.jpg   20.8K   17 downloads
Though men get a shorter option, worn with 'trousers'.
 Gown_2.jpg   51.06K   17 downloads
Another view of a woman's outfit.

And what I wore to the Guild's Christmas party was a variation of the same sort of outfit.

Now because I generally try to be period correct myself, I will always give you those options first. You can of course use synthetic, or the more modern natural fibre, fabrics (eg. cotton, rayon) if you choose.

It is generally a minimum of two layers, though in Australia's summer climate you'll see plenty of people walking around in just the outer layer. The under layer is most often white (or natural) linen. Linen whitens in sunlight (cotton goes yellow) and is actually stronger when wet (cotton is stronger when dry) which is an advantage if your method of washing is a rock and handy stream. And if you lived in England/Europe at the time, it was possibly undyed wool, since it was colder then. (Cotton would be a cheaper option, but linen is much more comfortable to wear next to your skin).

The next layer is built exactly the same but in period seemed to be mostly made of wool (it was colder there). Again in Australia it's not uncommon to see a linen overtunic, but to the best of our knowledge it wasn't done then. Some acrylic fabrics will give a wool 'look' but they are a synthetic fibre.... If you want to portray a more wealthy person you can of course use silk, but then you'd have more ornamentation as well, so it might be less effort to aim a little lower

You can put more layers over that (usually for warmth) which we'll go into at the workshop, as well as talking about what else you need to go with your outfit to look as period as possible.

This is all geometric patterning, drawn straight on the cloth, making adjustments to the layout, depending on the width of your fabric (and yourself!). But we can draw it out on graph paper so you can feel more comfortable just cutting straight into your fabric, and you'll still have a record of your pattern pieces. (Robert, Darren and Rui will have a head start on this, as the construction is very similar to the shirt you did in the Sewing for Blokes classes.)

I will email you all with what you need to bring to the workshop, and how to work out how much fabric to get, along with some suggest sources of suitable frabric - unless you'd rather I posted it up here?

[Darth_horus]

Just looking at the date, i am not sure if i will be able to make it as i might have to work that saturday, will have to check roster closer to the date.

[El Presidente]

Just thought I'd give this a bump as you will need to buy your fabric (if you don't anything in the stash) before the workshop. I will email you all with instructions on how to work this out.

If you are wanting to make a two layer garment (more period) the bottom layer is always white or 'natural'/beige. You could probably get away with a very pale lemon or pale green as well. Linen really is the most comfortable to wear next to your skin (try DK Fabrics, top of Port Rd - average $16pm though they had some 90cm wide blends down to I think $6). Other options would be Cotton, Ramie, Rayon, or Viscose, as are they are all at least natural (content) fibres. You will find blends of these fibres too. Really try to avoid polyester and nylon.

The second layer would more usually be wool, though as mentioned, we use linen as the outer layer as well in hotter climates, even though it's not technically correct, it's better to be cool. Feel free to use brighter colours here. Do avoid the more flourescent colours, but you'd be amazed at the colours they could obtain with plants and the mordents they had available. But if you don't want to ever be challenged about your colour choice, look for slightly 'muddy' or muted shades, rather than the clear, bright shades. Stick to plain colours as well - they did use pattern, but this early it would have been a woven pattern rather than printed (and no teddy bear prints please ).

Try DK's again if you want wool (both the wool and linens are in the back left of the store) and Eastern Silk (East Tce, Mile End) has a 'raw' silk for $16, though do watch for colour leakage when you wash it. But if you're not fussed about being period correct, you can use any fabric that you think looks remotely like a natural fibre. Do look for a fabric with 'drape' (though some of the cottons will wash softer) as a stiff fabric won't hang very well as this garment. Sometime you can get lucky at a Bargain Box type fabric store.

Because you're (hopefully) dealing with mostly natural fibres, do remember to prewash your fabrics (assuming you intend to machine wash your tunics) Natural fibres will shrink, as will some synthetics, and it's better that it does that before you cut your tunic out! Use appropriate washing methods for the silk and wool, and watch for colour leakage - wash the white/pastels separately.

[Mozzie]

I already have a chemise but would like to make a tunic style dress to go over it for those hotter days

[Darth_horus]

Sorry guys but we have to pull out of this event, family stuff has come up and that unfortunately needs our attention on that day.

Sorry.

[El Presidente]

Bummer Rui. Oh well, everybody should have received the email by now with a couple of weblinks, so you if follow either of those instructions you should still be able to make yourself a tunic. You know how to contact me if you get to stage where you need help

Info I also meant to add to the email.... concentrate on your outer (coloured) tunic first. You can get away with wearing just the one layer if don't get time to make two, though having an under tunic as well is of course, more period-correct.

[Maceo]

I'm still rather keen to attend this workshop, but I have no way of getting there.

Would I be able to get a lift with someone, please (I live in Ascot Park)?

[Toddi]

I'm still rather keen to attend this workshop, but I have no way of getting there.

Would I be able to get a lift with someone, please (I live in Ascot Park)?

Public transport FTW!

[Maceo]

Public transport FTW!

That would be an option I'd certainly go for... but I'll be taking a sewing machine among other things, so public transportation would be a bit tricky.

Though... I checked how to get there just then... if I don't find another way there, I'd only have to catch one bus at 8:43 am - then 1 hour and 9 mins later I could possibly be there (at around 10:00 am).
That'd be with some walking too, and it'd still be a little difficult carrying a sewing machine around with me.

[Aribella]

That would be an option I'd certainly go for... but I'll be taking a sewing machine among other things, so public transportation would be a bit tricky.

Though... I checked how to get there just then... if I don't find another way there, I'd only have to catch one bus at 8:43 am - then 1 hour and 9 mins later I could possibly be there (at around 10:00 am).
That'd be with some walking too, and it'd still be a little difficult carrying a sewing machine around with me.

I could pick you up from a bus stop, if you want. I live close to Kat's place, otherwise I'd offer you a lift all the way.
I'm bringing lemon coconut slice and choc fudge macadamia brownies to sustain the troops, too

[Maceo]

I could pick you up from a bus stop, if you want. I live close to Kat's place, otherwise I'd offer you a lift all the way.

Thankyou for the offer, HOWEVER! - I have suddenly developed a way of getting there (so I'll be fine getting there).