Our King:
In early June The West Kingdom lost her King. His unexpected
death sent shockwaves through our reenactment community.
As with many friends who live in the southern climes, I
did not know Hans as well as I would have liked. The man I did know was someone
I was proud to call King. This was a man who was genuinely happy to see you, genuinely
happy you made it to the event, and genuinely interested in how you were doing.
Even busy with business of the Crown, he would take the time to let you know,
in his amazingly deep voice, that the event was that much better for your
presence.
Spend five minutes with Hans, and you knew just how perfect
he was for his equally amazing wife Helga. A perfect mix of joy, sass, and
friendship.
The outpouring of love, stories, and memories across the community
speaks volumes. The West misses you Hans, may you find yourself in Valhalla.
Figure 1: Arm band made by Mistress Kinehild.
A special mention to Mistress Kinehild, who was kind enough to
make arm bands for the local populous. Thank you for your hard work, at very
short notice.
Ren Fair:
Figure 2: Support your local artisans! I couldn't resist
this cute cup at the Renaissance fair, which happened to match my nails.
Locally one of our biggest recruitment tools has been the
local Renaissance Fair. While it is a reasonably small fair, it is such fun to
see the various local groups come together. There is a historic village, plays
complete with thrown tomatoes, pirates singing in the tavern, boffer weapons,
living chess games, peasant dancing, turkey legs, lots of merchants, and of
course our fighting and craft demos. The fighters always draw a crowd, heralds announce
them, the fights have lots of noise from the swords hitting shields and helms,
while the fans cheer and chant.
Figure 3: My Glückshaus board, amongst other games on
display. We even played some games.
I ended up bringing several things for the display table. My
Glückshaus board, German Brick Stitch needle book, painted sewing box, spindle
and distaff, Charka quill spinning wheel, nalbound hat in progress, and my warp
weighted tablet loom.
My best friend and I both demoed our warp weighted tablet
looms. He had a more complex pattern which involved two packs of cards. I
continued on with my leg wrap ties, in a simple all cards forward pattern,
which was perfect for talking to interested individuals.
Figure 4: Warp weighted tablet loom set up at the Renaissance
Fair. I made the loom, warp weights, shuttle, tablecloth, and foot stool.
Purchased items were the chair, table, table runner, and weaving tablets.
Hallstatt hatband:
Picked up a really nice straw hat, as I tan like a vampire,
but it needs a hat band. Been kicking around the idea of a Pride hat band for a
while, and planning to end up with some extra for an apron dress front decoration. The
extant pieces are from an Early Iron Age site near modern day Halstatt,
Austria. Several textile finds were in a salt mine. Pattern is from HallTex
123, background is inspired by Halltex 186. Colors are from modern day Pride
flags for pansexual and non-binary.
Need to finish up the current leg wrap ties that are on the loom, then on to starting this project.
Pattern draft is from the excellent book “A Simplified Guide
to Historical Tablet Weaving” by Dagný Sveinsdóttir and Bjorn Sæmunddarson https://knarrtraders.bigcartel.com/product/a-simplified-guide-to-historical-tablet-weaving
I am highly recommending this book. Not only is it an excellent how to guide,
but also the patterns are historical, and history of the different finds is
included.
Draft design was drawn up in new colors using Tabletweaving
Draft Designer http://bazzalisk.org/tabletweave/
Nalbound hats:
More hats! When I started making these for largess I never
dreamed they would be so popular. Our Princess has requested several more for
Summer Coronet, so I am stitching away again. Even planning on taking several
skeins of yarn with me later in the month when my spouse and I go to a
convention, there are going to be lots of plane rides to get there and back
again.
Figure 6: Ezabi making sure I stay put to stitch. Testing
out the idea of a plastic tapestry needle for teaching.
The plastic needle does work, but I much prefer my wood or bone needles.
Newcomers event:
The first local event after the Ren Fair is Newcomers. It is
a meet and greet for those who talked to us at the Renaissance Fair, and are
interested in knowing more about the SCA. Fighters did demos and classes. There
were sewing and weaving stations. Soup and bread for lunch. Even set up child
friendly axe throwing and archery.
Spouse snapped a picture of me. In a way this one simple
shot puts into perspective how far my crafting skills have advanced since
joining the SCA. I knew how to spin and weave, could make a sewing machine go, had
done a couple weaving projects on a floor loom, and could do some basic
knitting.
Enter what I am wearing, all with skills I have learned in
the SCA. Patterned and sewed the apron dress and under dress. Riveted the belt
together. Tablet wove the belt favor and the apron dress trim. Luceted the underdress
trim. Lampworked every bead on the festoons between the broaches. Not pictured,
as it is on the other hip, is a handsewn pouch, with hand embroidery, and tablet
woven straps. Learning to use the sling on my belt too.
All skills learned from my friends in the SCA. Whether going
to Collegium, craft and chats, or spending a day in their living room. I am always
amazed at the knowledge and the joy our group shares.
Figure 7: Setting up some kid friendly axe throwing.
