Friday, May 28, 2010

Embroidery - Costuming - Embroidery Coming full Circle

I started doing embroidery when I was in grade school. Mostly crewel pictures and follow the lines on table cloths. My Mom did needlepoint and that was the next step. I branched into doing some minor embroidery in high school. I also started doing costuming in high school/joined the SCA. Played in the SCA, Dickens and other such through college and did some limited costuming. Returned to SCA, etc a few years later (post graduate school) and did more sophisticated costuming. But something was missing. The decoration on the garb was not "right". Commercial trims and such just did not work.

In the late 1990's, I began learning more about embroidery and doing it on garb. In 1999 I taught my first class - a blackwork band. 10+ years later I am circling back to doing embroidery on garb. Truly integrating it.

Since we are off in a month or so to a 5 day war and I am in charge of A&S, I want comfy clothes. I will primarily be running around in Vikings or Cotehardies. I need a coif for each. The Viking coif is relatively plain, but it will get a bit of decorative herringbone stitch to hold the hem down. The other is a St Brigit's cap. It too will get a bit of herringbone and a very simple needlelace edging. Nothing is really stand out decoration, but rather completion of the whole item.

In truth, this is where I was heading. The knowledge and ability to "finish" my garb in a way that is "right".

3 comments:

Rachel said...

It's always much easier to get to grips with something if you have a reason for wanting it, isn't it!

One with many names said...

I came across your blog today and I thought I’d just shoot a question out to you. I’m wanting to learn more about Irish embroidery from the late 15th century. Specifically, I have a moy gown and was thinking of embroidering along the hem line, however, I can’t find evidence that they would embroider the dress in such a fashion…

Do you happen to know anything about Irish Medieval Embroidery? If not, do you know anyone who does?

Thank you so much for your time!

Sabrina said...

sorry not my field of expertise and I don't know of anyone who is a real Irish costume expert. my gut feeling is that they wouldn't since that part would get dirty and eventually cut off as the gown was repurposed.