[Great Hall of Rockwall] hello

[Kelli Quinn]

Rudimentary sewing skills are good. As a sewer, I can't praise the book "Sewing for Dummies" enough. I keep it in my sewing kit. It's a good, clear introduction to basic machine sewing and even includes some starter projects. One of major pattern companies also has a "Sewing for Dummies" pattern line to help get you started.

It is also more than acceptable to make garb from costume patterns that you can buy in any fabric store. That is a great way to make the basic foundation garments (chemise, smock, etc.) and get a look at how the clothing is constructed. Mass-marketed patterns also tend to be easier to follow than the more niche publishers that make patterns for the re-enacter market.

But before you get started on making garb, you should take a few minutes to consider what kind of garb you want to start out with. The SCA time period covers a lot of ground and cultures. Is there any one time period you are interested in, or feel drawn to? How about countries? Are you a high-maintence noble of Elizabeth I's court, a graceful geisha, a Viking merchant, or do you have an inner desert flower aching to get out?  Or would you perfer to don a man's vest? (I'm presuming you are female. A thousand pardons if I am wrong.) And remember, whatever you go with now isn't set in stone. I have garb for my Norse personna, some 15-16th cen. English country dresses, and some saris. (as Whitman said: "I am full of contradictions; I contain multitudes!")

You bring your books, I'll bring my books, and we'll build a fort out of them the protect us from all the thrown weapons that will apparently be flying around, and discuss things further behind the protective walls. :)

A few websites:

The Costumer's Manifesto
http://www.costumes.org/HISTORY/100pages/HATS.HTM

Patterns:
sewingpatterns.com

SCA member resources with links on garb and personnas:
http://sca.org/resources.html

The Atlantia Arts and Sciences links page:
http://moas.atlantia.sca.org/wsnlinks/

Usually has links to lots of good info, but part of it seems down today.

An overview of a High Elizabethan noblewoman's outfit:
http://www.elizabethancostume.net/order.html
(and yes, you can do Elizabethan without all of these layers)

Japanese:
http://www.wodefordhall.com/kosode.htm

Viking clothing at the Viking Answer Lady:
http://vikinganswerlady.com/clothing.shtml

SCA garb photo album
http://safiye.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php

Yours in service,
Edda Eiriksdottir
(Kelli Quinn)



"I imagine I was always writing. Twaddle it was, too. But better far write twaddle or anything, anything, than nothing at all."

Katherine Mansfield (1888-1923)

Down the Rabbit Hole: downrabbit.blogspot.com ________________________________> From: bkfrank at ticon.net> To: greathall at shireofrockwall.org> Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:02:16 -0500> Subject: Re: [Great Hall of Rockwall] hello>> Thank you to everyone for being so welcoming. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.> And thank you Astridr, for your kind offer with sewing. I can use the help. I have a portable sewing machine and rudimentary sewing skills. I need guidance on what to sew to even get started. I've been looking into some possibilities but could use guidance and ideas. I have a few books on period costuming, but they assume a level of tailoring skill I don't have. Would it help if I brought the books along? Can you recommend any websites that may help? I'll try to study up.> I haven't been in East Troy Basketry for a very long time. I own too many baskets already. That would just lead to trouble. I've been pretty good at breaking the basket habit lately. Unless something unusual should turn up........I have enough other bad habits.> Is there any 'guidelines' for pot luck? Food allergies? Anything I should know?> Thank you again for the kind welcome. - Kim> ----- Original Message -----> From: Cskatlady at aol.com> To: greathall at shireofrockwall.org> Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 7:22 PM> Subject: Re: [Great Hall of Rockwall] hello> In a message dated 9/10/2007 9:24:28 P.M. Central Daylight Time, bkfrank at ticon.net writes:> Thank you- I am looking forward to attending the next meeting. As for garb, I am garbless at this time. But I have chairs, bugspray and sunscreen (all already in my van- it's that time of year). Thanks again- Kim> WE can help you garb should you decide you need it. Several of us sew.> Astridr> ________________________________> See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage.> ________________________________> _______________________________________________> GreatHall mailing list> GreatHall at shireofrockwall.org> http://shireofrockwall.org/mailman/listinfo/greathall_shireofrockwall.org

_________________________________________________________________
More photos; more messages; more whatever – Get MORE with Windows Live™ Hotmail®. NOW with 5GB storage.
http://imagine-windowslive.com/hotmail/?locale=en-us&ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM_mini_5G_0907