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| Shaping a hat. |
Duchess AnneMarie and I, with the assistance of Lady Claricia and Baroness Antonia, were able to lead a class of (at least) thirty people in making (at least) thirty-five hats. The class session held several repeat attendees, much to our delight, plus many new people eager to try their hand at new accessories. It was great success with many learning opportunities on both sides.
Thanks to Sir Bran for the pictures!
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| During the lecture. |
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| Shaping and ironing. |
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| Midrealm Coronation. |
I acquired a yard and a half of the wool then created a classic 14th century dagged hood, courtesy of Opus Elenae's base pattern paired with the dags expansion. After some back and forth thinking each dag would be turned into a strawberry, I opted to let this bold and beautiful wool stand on its own, especially after adding the printed diamond weave cotton as the lining.
Sir Bran was kind enough to take a picture (or three) of its premier at Midrealm Coronation. Here it is paired with a charcoal bycocket adorned with peacock feathers, green pin on sleeves, and the pewter plaque belt created by Crispin.
Resources:
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| Inking the dags. |
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| Instagram teaser! |
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| The dagged hood is finished! |
The Fellowship of the Traveling Hat recently held session at the Midrealm Harvest Days in South Oaken (OH).
My meager display of hats.
When Crispin and I decided we were attending Harvest Days, I reached out to the event steward to see if I could secure location indoors to hold session, despite the classes being themed after games and we were quickly scheduled! Shortly after arrival Mistress Aveline showed me the space, I set out a meager display of items in advance of the class. Little did I know that throughout the day people would stop me and ask when we were starting, which started to make me a little nervous.
Thankfully, Lady Miriana was in attendance and was gracious enough to be my assistant during class. Because we needed it! We had a much larger group of people in attendance than expected! We were able to make between 25-30 hats in the time allotted which was incredible, considering I only had one iron! (Insert a very long story about my new steam iron missing a part.)
I consider this a learning experience - one iron is definitely not enough! And in order to not limit the size of class, an assistant is definitely needed. I cannot thank Miriana enough for being such a rock star! And thanks to Raziya al-Zarqua' for photography!
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| Shaping hats. |
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| Blessing of the hat. |
The Fellowship of the Traveling Hat held the inaugural session at the Midrealm Mounted War Games in Constellation (IN).
The class session was held in the main populace building near the far back corner of the room and was our first official outing as the Fellowship. Duchess AnneMarie and I were trying to figure out the best method to present the class materials as well as get the hats created for the attendees. (And holing up in the building with air conditioning was certainly a perk...) Ultimately, we led a class of around ten people in making hats, including a gentleman at his first SCA event!
Thank you to all who attended and cheered us on and through this session.
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| A collection of hats. |
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| A collection of embellishments. |
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| Drafting a pattern for the brim. |
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| Attaching wool to brim of hat. |
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| Finished hat, right side. |
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| Finished hat, left side. |
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| A pelican in piety. |
A few months back, the Barony of Cleftlands had a yard sale in which I scored roughly a yard and a half of a lovely deep purple lightweight wool from a dear friend who said she thought I would love it and it would make a beautiful hood. Challenge accepted!
I washed the wool to felt it more then quickly transformed it into a 14th century hood. After a quick throw over my shoulders, it was confirmed that I would need to line it, but with what color? I parsed through several linen candidates and settled upon a moody dark teal color that really popped when paired together.
The color combination inspired my aubergine needle felted hat.
Resources:
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| The finished hood. |
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| The hood and hat. |
Rather than curse myself with a monthly project update post, I humbly offer a list of garment-related items I have been working on for the two of us or for kingdom projects. My stretch goals for the winter were a bit stretchy. It isn't that I lack the skills, I lacked the spoons to do an awful lot during the winter. (Without getting too technical, I spent from August to April working on an exceptionally large project at work and it was very time, labor, and spoon intensive.)
Regardless...
Crispin Wardrobe Refresh
Gianna's Wardrobe Refresh
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| The completed screen. |
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| A lady hawking. |
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| The lord lurking. |
A couple of friends asked for a needle felting demonstration at my local baronial meeting, so I gathered my supplies and headed off. Instead of a scrap of wool felt, I grabbed one of the felt hats I picked up at the thrift store intended for steam block restructuring. I spent the requisite 3 minutes explaining and demonstrating how to needle felt, then they were off! Another friend joined us and tried in vain to resist the lure of crafting. A few laughs later, the traveling (itself) hat was born!
This lovely hat will serve as a demonstration piece and will travel to events for everyone to add their two cents (of wool) to while they learn how to needle felt. I'm so excited to see how this will be decorated!
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| The Traveling Needle Felting Demo Hat is born! |
The second needle felted hat was created using a wool felt body/cone from Agnoulita Hats (Greece) in the purple colorway. The hat blank was a demonstration model during a private hat making session with a friend and has an exceptionally proud beak (point) to it and was sized to fit over a cap and veil.
I expanded the color selection of wool after a quick trip to Joann's where I picked up four different colorways offered in a commercial brand that were slightly heavier weight in some standard heraldic colors. (Gold, red, green, and a turquoise blue in lieu of a standard royal blue. See also: a project about half done for later!) The pattern is a simplified version of a sleeve found online, so I take no credit.
The interesting thing learned in this hat creation - the small fill areas are deceptive! It takes far less wool to create the accent turquoise centers to the petals than I expected, perhaps a half inch of material, tightly packed to integrate the loose ends of yarn.
I am overall satisfied with the hat and can't wait to see what's next!
For my latest hat-related project, I used a wool felt body/cone from Jedrzejko (Poland) in the Dark Turquoise colorway. Mistress Milesent Vibert inspired me to try needle felting after she used the technique on a hat blank-turned-bycocket created during the Gulf War Widows experiment earlier this year. She briefly explained the technique then recommended a beginner set from Grey Fox Felting (36T, 38T and 40T) with a Needle Felt Support Block.
I initially tried needle felting with a more fine skein of embroidery-weight wool which didn't work as well as I had hoped. I moved on to a yarn weight in ivory/white (which I think I picked up at Pennsic for nalbinding.) I wanted to add additional color, so I checked my available stock of yarn that has aged greater than 10 years and found the soft pink color to accent in a two ply merino wool.
Overall, I feel this is a beginner project. It's even easier if you have a background in scribal, since my inspiration/design came from an illumination. I spent a series of lunch breaks laying out the spiral pattern(s) with tailor's chalk, then came back with the 40T ultra-fine needle to tack down the yarn. I doubled back when I was satisfied with the placement to more firmly attach the yarn.
From the Crown Tournament of Their Majesties Ivan and Katalena, the consorts were honored with original prose. Crispin and I were honored again to be represented by Rav Ezra de Barcelona, an artisan of great renown residing in the Cleftlands.
Behold the coming silvered onyx dawn,
a shining lady crowned with regal light.
Look now, with aurous lion she comes anon
behold the coming silvered onyx dawn.
Make no mistake, she clearly be no pawn
but queen may be, most excellent and right.
Behold the coming silvered onyx dawn,
a shining lady crowned with regal light.- Ezra de Barcelona
Hear now the Words of Merry Neassa, great Queen of the Middle Kingdom and Wigthegn our stalwart King. May all the lands know of the high esteem in which Gianna Vettori is held by our Kingdom and Ourselves for stepping in on short notice to serve as webminister for their Majesties. In recognition of this, we are pleased to bestow upon her this sign of the Queen's Favor, the Award of the Doe's Grace.
We grant unto her all rights and responsibilities attendant upon this rank and the right to bear the badge, Azure, a sword proper enfiled of a wreath of flowers argent, slipped and leaved Or, without let or hindrance from any person. Done by our hands this 4th day of May, Anno Societatis LIX (59) in our Barony of Brendoken.
Artwork by: Lady Úlfrún Barefooted of Cynnabar.
A dear friend who was in the role was unexpectedly unable to complete their duties as webminister for their reign and I volunteered to take the load off of their shoulders so they could focus on their new duties. Stepping in and steering a ship already under way was the least I could do as I enjoy reign websites.
So, thank you to all parties for allowing me this opportunity to serve.
For any that know me well, I rarely take commissions... It isn't that I do not wish to help others out, it is because I am notoriously bad about placing any value on my work. However, when asked directly by a dear friend to provide vestments for their champion, it was an offer I was unable to refuse.
Once the test piece was created, I turned my focus on to creating a champions tunic -- outside of my area of expertise, for sure. I wanted to create something that gave a nod to their Russian reign, but was comfortable enough for the combatant to fight in.
After several days of staring at heraldry, I chose one rose pattern then sent it off to the (3D) printers to create a stamp (Crispin) who delivered the wares on short notice. I took a evening to stamp and heat set the semy of roses on hunter green linen. The first run went through the wash being heat set by an iron, but there was something about it that I just didn't care for, so I scrapped it and started again with my guides more precise and the pattern more crisp, this time heat setting it several times at high heat in the dryer. (Fingers crossed!)
I feel I need to add the caveat that, while I have stamped fabric in the past, I am no subject matter expert. This is very much trial and error and I understand that the recipient will be using the tunic for the next five months, so it wasn't necessarily stamped with the intention of longevity.
After the placard was attached and tunic sewn together (what is not seen is every bias-tape reinforced seam and the +20 hours of whip stitching...) the finished tunic wasn't precisely finished. I felt I missed the mark and added a chaplet of roses around the bottom of the tunic. It's not exactly Russian, but it's SCA-Russian with a touch of 14th century mystery added.
I hope it serves the recipient well during their time as champion.
The Barony of Cleftlands began undertaking a project to define the roles of the many positions one can hold as staff for our local events. Their Graces Eikbrandr and Runa and I collaborated on the subject of serving as a Royalty Liaison to produce this guide. In the process, we were able to identify several less daunting (or newcomer friendly) volunteer opportunities.
Abstract
A Royalty Liaison (Liaison) is a person or small group of people who serve as the primary point of contact on behalf of the local group with the designated representatives of the Crown or Crowns that may attend your local event.
Communication
The Liaison will regularly communicate with the Chamberlain or other designated person(s) from the Crown’s staff to ensure that Their needs are met while in attendance at your local event. This may include, but is not limited to: parking, lodging, royalty room scheduling, consumable item needs or restrictions, largess, volunteers for retaining, etc. Specific items are often outlined on the Crown’s reign websites (below), but do not hesitate to collaborate or confirm with the point of contact if you have a specific question, concerns, or ideas.
Comps (Site & Feast)
The Barony of Cleftlands traditionally offers free site and feast for each individual member of the royalty (king, queen, prince, princess, etc.) regardless of their Kingdom. Free (comped) site fee is generally granted as one retainer per royal, i.e. the princess attends the event and receives one free retainer. Confirm with lunch or feast stewards to see if the feast is comped for retainers before communicating with the royal staff members. Additionally, if a feast is being served, it is recommended that the head table should seat ten or five couples.
At The Event
Parking
At least one clearly marked reserved (preferred) parking should be provided per royal in attendance as well as one for their retainers. This helps ensure the loading and unloading of the royal presence. For example, a parking spot for the King and Consort, plus one for their Chamberlain. Communicate this information clearly to their staff representative, whether with a map, a picture, or a clear and concise description of the location.
Regardless of location, the room provided to the royalty is a private space for the Crown to use during their time at your local event. The room often serves as a dressing room, storage room for regalia and personal effects, a privy chamber for private discussions or meetings, and so on.
On the subject of refreshments, check with the chamberlain and the royalty website(s) to get an idea of their food and drink preferences or if there are any specific special requests. Likewise, inquire as to the disposition of leftover food as the end of the event approaches. Would they like the food removed? Transferred to a peerage meeting? Offered to the general populace? Packaged for transport?
Consider having a small but generous selection of things, but not enough to feed the entire event. For example: meat, cheese, fruits, sweets, pastries, water, coffee, tea, etc. that can be snacked on throughout the day. Additionally, you may offer to acquire lunch from the lunch tavern and have it delivered to the location of their choosing. Don’t forget to provide the basics: cups, plates or bowls, cutlery, napkins, serving utensils, table decor, and so on!
Scribes Room
In the past, the scribes room or scribal room has been paired with the royalty room, but this practice is frowned upon. If at all possible, please try to keep the two separate. If a royal court is scheduled, staff and the crown will utilize the room when signing scrolls.
Royal Field Presence
Communicate with royal staff as to whether or not they will be providing a day presence for the crown or if they prefer event staff to do so. Their throne setup is generally done by royal staff or with the assistance of volunteers. Traditionally, the crown and their guests are offered the baronial pavilion at outdoor events so it is then the royal presence and should be treated as such. You may consider catering refreshments or lunch in this location.