Writing, writing

I've just finished my latest article for Your Wardrobe Unlock'd: the Costume Maker's Companion, "Embellinshing with Ribbons: Bows, Rosettes and Cockades". This should be published in the December issue. It has step-by-step photos so that you can produce some of these yourself, and I'm hoping that all of my instructions are easy to understand!

Added to that, The Braid Society's Journal 'Strands' has been published this month, with my article about the Luton Braid recreation that I did last year.

Did anyone see Garrow's Law on the BBC? Very interesting, but not enough Leek Buttons, again! I really can't figure it out - the best selling button type of the 18th century, yet never (or very rarely) used in costume drama.... so, I shall shortly be increasing my campaign by making up kits with full instructions, button molds, thread and wax. The more people who can make them, the more chance we'll eventually see them on TV! I hope to have everything finalised in time for 'Button Day' on Nov. 16th. Yes, there is a Button Day. No-one can seem to tell me the origins, and I'm fairly certain its an American thing (probably some advertising campaign originally), but I reckon I'll have to celebrate it!

More buttons

It's been a pretty hectic month all in all, much of which has been spent working away on something that ended up being rather tedious. And of course bookwork, though the actual stress for that has been aliviated, thanks to the postal strike. I will just have to submit my tax returns online this year, as I really don't want to risk getting fined for the return not arriving in time. I somehow doubt I could claim it back from the PO... my energy levels are improving a bit, though not quite, which is irritating when my brain can think of a million things that must be done, or that I want to do!

I have had a productive button making time though!



These buttons are a first attempt at reproducing some Victorian buttons, the images of which were sent to me by a friend. I love the swirly design, and they worked very well as decoration for the jacket they are on.




These little buttons are for a polonaise which Isabella of Prior Attire is making - the polonaise looks lovely so far, and the silk fabric is yummy.



And this is the shoulder knot in place, with the wonderful uniform coat by Ninya Mikhaila. Don't you just love that yellow!

I've also finished one article on medieval passementerie, more of when I know if it has actually been accepted for the publication it's intended for! I suspect I won't know until next year, as it's not due for publication until 2012.

I'm finishing off a new masterclass for Your Wardrobe Unlock'd: the costume maker's companion, on ribbons & bows, for the December issue. I have a zillion photos of step-by-step processes, lets hope it all comes together well!

And advance notice of a book already on Amazon - though not available until July next year!
Sew Eco by Ruth Singer - with illustrations by me!

I have also been sorting. And sorting. And even more sorting. Goodness I have alot of silk and alot of stuff to make tassels with (but never the colour I want/need). I have ordered some wonderful storage units (I want quite a few more, but that will have to wait, the 'dream' work room is rather expensive, lol!)

Decorating occupational clothing

Very busy last week making items for occupational clothing - both modern and historial.

Modern - lots and lots of Death's Head leek buttons for two frock coats and matching waistcoats. As they are for a Reverend, and so therefore black, I'm afraid there wasn't much point photographing them! But, I am hoping to get photos of the finished frock coat so that will be a very nice addition to the gallery.


Historical - a shoulder tassel for a 1760 dragoon uniform. The costumier (Ninya Mikhaila) had a drawing, and references to other types (officer's in gold bullion and silk, with very intricate work on the tassel heads!), but nothing for the actual uniform in question, so this is what we came up with -



The weave of the ribbon isn't quite the same as the weave on the officer's ribbon, as there just wasn't time to master it on the band loom (the original would have been machine woven by this period, allowing for far more variation in the weave quickly). Had there been time, I probably would have used a pick-up technique. And, although the photo appears to have two different colours of blue, it hasn't! The satin wrap on the tassel just reflects the flash a bit differently.

And, should have worked over the weekend, but decided instead to make a dress and jacket. Nearly finished, and thoroughly enjoyed doing some traditional sewing for a change!

Weaving tablets now for sale!

As part of getting ready to organise more workshops next year, I have sourced someone who can make weaving tablets for me. These are now available in my shop.

There are four different types of tablets - all available in packs of ten. All are oak, and the holes are made by burning which results in a smoother hole than drilling.

There are square tablets with 5 holes - the standard one in each corner plus a centre hole. These tablets also come with a 'Beginning Tablet Weaving' sheet to help get you started.

I have also produced a square tablet with 9 holes. Nine I hear you ask - well, the tablets found in the Oseberg Ship burial have quite a variety of hole placements (though it appears that the tablets were still only traditionally threaded). My 9 holed tablets combine the different hole placements in one tablet (and have an additional centre hole), so the advanced weaver could really get adventurous with these!

I also have 3-holed triangular tablets, for those of you who wish to try Roman weaves, and 7-holed hexagon tablets - 6 side holes and a centre hole.