Time for wig inspirations
Before I embark on styling Leonard’s wig, I want to collect and look at some historical images of wigs worn by Macaroni or fop men in the 18th century (a topic near & dear to my heart)…
Tag Archives: historical research
Newbie Garb That Doesn’t Look Newbie
By Lady Violet Ruthvene in the SCA This is an accompaniment to a lecture and demonstration class I taught at the Province of Southern Shores’ Newcomers Tourney in May 2011. This is intended as a guide to help those starting out in the Society for Creative Anachronism to improve their costumes in easy, budget-friendly
Boring weekend (because I couldn’t go to Twelfth Night)
Since I was stuck home taking care of the sick boy cat Toulouse, I figured I might as well get some crap done around the house (other than just wallow in misery about not getting to go to 12th nite). Then I decided to sew. Tulls was spending the weekend sitting pathetically on the window
16th-Century Purses Made for SCA Largess
This was a random little project done in about two weeks. I was asked by Duquesa Juana Isabella de Montoya y Ramirez if I could contribute to the gift basket given by the King and Queen of the West at the SCA’s West-An Tir War over July 4th Weekend 2010. Knowing my predilection for purses,
More MQoS research
While the sewing is on hold, the research continues! I just returned from the U.K. where I finally got to see both portraits in person — and, wow, they are totally different! It’s not merely a difference in image reproduction. The originals may show the same person in the same pose and gown, but the
An Introduction to Masks in 16th-Century Venice, Italy
By Lady Violet Ruthvene in the SCA, written to help the West Kingdom prepare for a masked ball Two great medieval traditions made mask-wearing popular among the citizens of the Republic of Venice: the festival of Carnevale and the Commedia dell’ Arte theater. Between these, you have a variety of mask styles to choose from,
Planning the Mary Queen of Scots pink gown
I’ve loved this dress since I first saw the portrait in a book, sometime in the early 1990s. It’s the classic refutation of “pink is not period” for renaissance faire or SCA. It’s super-girly. It’s fantastic! It’s very Pretty Pretty Princess! This has been my dream gown, and dammit, I’m going to make it. So
Period Purses and How to Carry Your Crap
By Lady Violet Ruthvene for the SCA West Kingdom Arts & Sciences Tourney 2009 Resources Larsdatter.com Pouches & Purses: Excellent collection of image links, including extant pieces and artwork. Museum of Bags and Purses: A Dutch museum with a nice photographic timeline of purse history. Also has a catalog book, sometimes available at
Recipe for baked ruff a la 1590s
Ingredients: 4 yards cotton or linen, tightly cartridge-pleated 4 yards lace trim*** (optional, but recommended) cotton or linen neckband to fit sturdy thread 2 cups liquid starch 2 cups water metal safety pins Assemble first four ingredients into ruff. Mix liquids in bowl, and soak ruff in liquid thoroughly. Wring out liquid and let drip-dry
I blame Janet Arnold
Yes, I’m actually baking my ruff. See page 126 of Patterns of Fashion 4. Hope this works!
Ruff beginnings
Next on the docket, that head-on-a-plate ruff for my 1580s gown. Because I hath seen Patterns of Fashion 4 and it doth rock. Yea verily forsooth!
Reminders to self
There’s no point even considering hand-sewing something when the pattern you’re using (Jacobean Jacket by Dawn Anderson Designs) isn’t terribly accurate to begin with. It’s not horribly inaccurate — I can see exactly why the designer chose to put a seam there and that *is* accurate for doublet bodices in the era, even though it’s
Musings of a thousand days
Why is it that every time I’m sick at home, Anne of a Thousand Days is always on cable? Of course, I have to watch it. Richard Burton is a kingly, studly Henry, and the movie’s portrayal of Anne Boylen is smart and sympathetic without being too sentimental, even though it’s all a big fat
Early thoughts on hoops and interpretation, on our Y!Group
I like the reasoning for hoops! Also, this is a painting — walking in and sitting down in the positions required by the painting will be much easier in hoops. If we were wearing tons of petticoats, we’d need helpers to fouf out all those petticoats under the skirts. It’s not serging that makes me