For 2012, and the World's Ending!

Happy January, everyone! 2012 seems to be starting off on the right foot (for my household, anyway), but I suspect it will take some active encouragement to keep moving in a generally positive direction.

I'm doing some pen-and-paper work in preparation for the next big project, a long-sleeved kirtle or GFD in blue wool. In order to keep a closer eye on my progress I've purchased a separate binder to store notes and sketches and detailed drawings related to the single active garb project I will allow myself at any given time. It'll also contain a log for how much time I spend working on the piece - from pattern layout through construction to the finishing details. I know I'll need to do some fittings to work out the fit through the torso, the depth of the sleeve head, and the scoop of the neckline before I can touch my wool yardage. Once I've created a working pattern, however, I can use it for my Kingdom Colors Parti-Dress (black and red linen GFD) and a green cottolin supportive under-gown. Three birds with one stone.

Also in the coming months I want to do a full inventory of my fabric stash and get a better organization and storage system set up in my craft room.

So I guess my overarching resolution for this year is to inject a little Type A Personality into my project management and domestic maintenance.

Stress test

Usually I prefer to wash garb by hand in the bathtub. This is because I'm a tad paranoid about all my hand stitching deciding to fail simultaneously. Silly? Yes, but I still play along with my brain.

Anyhoo, I deviated from my usual methods the other day and sent the brown kirtle through a machine wash. Mostly because it's become quite cold and I have no interest in stooping over a tub and swishing my hands around in cold water. Granted, the machine was on the delicate cycle and the lowest spin speed, and the kirtle was the only garment in the load. It did not disintegrate, nor did the seams explode. As I was hanging it up to dry (using the ribbon loops I stitched to the waist), I did find one weak point at a strap attachment. I have plenty of the same silk thread used in the garment's construction, so with a quick repair it'll be ready to play at Revel this Saturday.

Remnant-wool hood is also coming along nicely. I did a couple of test buttons and a test buttonhole. Haven't quite nailed down the spacing for the buttons, or whether I want to do even spacing or grouped pairs for a little added interest. Gotta get back to work to ensure the hood is wearable for Revel. It's supposed to get stupid cold outdoors once the sun sets. Photo post tomorrow night, perhaps?

Productive failure

I've spent a good portion of the day testing an experimental dye I boiled out of althea blooms.  The dye turned out a slightly-darker-than-storebought-honey color, so I figured it would take a long soak for any textile to show much of a change.  I soaked some scraps of unbleached muslin, slightly off-white linen and white fisherman's wool in an alum solution last night, since flower pigments are supposed to be rubbish on unmordanted fabric.

In my own backyard

Last year I was reminded that I have pecan trees in my yard.  Several of them.  And they're very mature and very productive, by the look of things.  I picked up a nut that had been prematurely knocked off the branch, hull and all, and started to play with it.  In the process I got quite a bit of hull juice on my hands, and I later discovered it is not an easy stain to remove.  Thus began my mild fascination with dyes that can be made from materials that can be found in the garden (or the grocery store, for cheats) at little to no cost.

Braies, day 1

I've been researching medieval braies for an A&S class - materials, design theories, how to wear them properly.  Last night I did a quick design sketch and took my own measurements.  The design is not much more than two rectangles sewn into tubes for the legs, a square crotch gusset, and some drawstrings for the waist and knees.

Today I cut a yard off the end of my massive cotton/linen yardage, folded over and whipped the raw edges, and threw it into a hot wash cycle to knock off some of the sizing.

Stay tuned ...