Hem & H.A*
(Historically Adequate)

So...um...this is why you should always make sure your fabrics are colour-fast. Goodnight, sweet partlet...

Finally! The "Kirtle of Perpetual Procrastination" is complete! I'm now one step closer to finishing that elusive fitted gown outfit that I started planning an  embarrassingly  long time ago (like, an absurdly long time ago...to that point that it's getting ridiculous).

I hope you're not bored of my blue waistcoat yet...cause here it is again! This time with the ruff I just completed. This version was originally intended for my first trip to the new-ish Nottingham festival in Simi Valley back in November. I wasn't able to go in the end, but at least I've finally got some photos to prove the outfit exists! (Though my old computer finally gave up the ghost and very nearly took all of them with it...).

When in doubt, make a ruff! I'm currently stuck between two half-started (read: stalled) projects...and when faced with indecision I do what I always do: accessorize !!!

So hey... Remember when I said I was waffling but was still definitely, totally, one hundred precent committed to a loose gown for my 1590s outfit? Right . About that... Yup.  I've changed my mind. Again.

Well...it's been four years since I decided to jump into 16th century costuming, and while I still haven't started that elusive fitted gown (someday!!) I do finally have a  second  outfit! Hooray! And to be honest I actually really enjoyed the whole experience and am pretty please with the final result (a few small errors notwithstanding). This the first sewing project that moved from conception to completion without any major changes or setbacks. For the most part...

A long overdue NorCal update! Back in early September I made my second ever trip to the Northern California Renaissance Faire. I really enjoyed my first visit --the location, with it's larger more northern trees, reminded me of Canadian Faires-- and I was really looking forward to going again. Hoping for a cooler event (compared to the SoCal Faire) I added a couple of layers to my waistcoat ensemble and drove the 5 hours north!

So...I'm waffling a bit. Not on a loose gown.  No...the pattern is scaled up, the mockup is made (more or less), and the fabric is purchased.  I'm definitely making a loose gown. But after re-examining some of the images, I'm not as sure as I was that it actually is a loose gown that I'm seeing in my inspiration portraits.

Riiiiiiight....so, remember when I said I was going to start my fitted gown project? Well, this time it only took me --what?-- 4 weeks to abandon it again? (Even less, because I actually bought the fabric for this new project 3 weeks ago). But I just couldn't help myself, and here's why...

 I've been planning an English fitted gown based on the patterns from the Tudor Tailor.  I've changed the design somewhat from my initial sketches...