followup pics of pink gown

As mentioned previously - finished refitted gown.

The pics show the neckline pinned into place at the back, but after putting it on I had to get Robert to repin the layers - once wearing it, the top layer sat differently than expected, and you can only find it out by trying it on.

I always seem to have crease up around my middle - can't get a smooth fit there, and I don't know if I'm asking too much from the fabric from the stretch, or if it's just a feature of the gown. Since all the gowns I've made wrinkle there I'm sort of resigned, but if it's a cutting flaw I can fix I'd love to know.











This gown served as the kirtle for the 16th c gown I wore at coronation, finished to the 'first stage'*. Hopefully liadethornegge will post pics I asked her to take of the full splendour.

*Stages of completion - Lady Isabetta from Nordmark defined these as
first stage = you can wear it;
second stage = finished as planned,
third stage = improved and embellished...or something to that effect.

At any rate, it was finished enough to wear, but I had to stitch myself into it, and it wouldn't stand up to any close examination! After I'm back from the colonies, I hope to finish the lining, restitch the pleats more firmly and finish the hooks and eyes.

Quick notes on Coronation

Coronation this past weekend: brilliant. Reasonable travel (it's worth paying for real airlines, IMO, for non-stupid flight dep/arr times); wonderfully hospitable Finnish event staff looked after us; fed and watered and coffeed very well; successful ceremonies almost entirely as planned and pictured, in a beautiful lakeside setting.

The best pictures are on aryanhwy's FB pages, so far.

Lady Anne produced a beautiful kirtle (black linen with gold silk lower skirt), gown (black wool with red silk binding and red linen lining and a long train) and (with Edith's broidery) headdress for HRM to wear, matching Paul's early Henry VIII gown, doublet and hose. Together they look the part of early 16th c royals.

I can now see why the Finns are so attached to Cudgel wars, and enjoy the venue so much. It reminded me strongly of visting camps and cottages in Muskoka; mixed birch and fir woods, gravel roads, cottages perched on slopes overlooking a small lake with canoes at the dock, birdsong and crisp clean air. There were fewer bald spare boulders and evidence of roads blasted through solid rock of 'Canadian shield', so there may be more fertile farm-able soil in the area, but the memories of travelling to northern Ontario were strong.

However, I'd never visited a Canadian cottage with two saunas - one was modern electric ladies/mens/mixed facilities, the other was a small traditional wood-burning sauna. The latter requires half a day of fire stoking to warm and make ready but I can see the attraction; the woodsmoke atmosphere and the feel of the steam and heat is different from the electric sauna, and I was glad I tried both.

How I do wish saunas were common here! Warm baths are lovely but the all-enveloping sauna heat is wonderful. The Romans had it right from the outset.

I delighted in playing c&t one afternoon - sadly not long enough, but worth it for trying out a hand and a half sword in this form. goncalves and I both tried against Lord Mikkael, and both of us came away with biiig stuuupid grins on our faces, it was so much fun.  My next serious investment may be such a weapon. Lucky Cernac gets to go back in 3 weeks for Cudgel and play some more.

goncalves and Cernac triggered something of a diplomatic incident between Insulae Draconis and Arnimetsa, witnessed by too many from all sides to be hushed up. We may have to settle it by hitting each other with sticks in yet a third region, like Nordmark, much as our ancestors did by making war through Normandy and Bergundy. At least, that's what we hope.

The scriptorium had several attendees, and we reviewed my Romanesque alphabet, but we all seemed short of time - even with a four day event there was a lot to squeeze in. However, I did show one lady how to make a reservoir for a quill and she seemed very pleased at trying it out at home.

Once more, I was impressed by the depth of the artisan community in Arnimetsa particularly in the textile and clothing arts. Their standard is high, even for those new to the Society; it must be all those long winter nights that give them opportunity to sew, weave, broider and embellish to such good effect. Fru Johanna continues to develop her repetoire of narrow wares which is excellent, even persuing the art outside the Society.

I had only one serious attack on my wallet among the merchants; I was cornered by a 3m length of hemp fabric - something I haven't been able to find in London and thus hard to resist. The merchant (www.tippet.fi) said it came from a factory in Romania.

I learned a lot in conversation this weekend, about the Pelican order in Drachenwald.

Today is one long round of laundry, followed by errands. I'm away to my first homeland tomorrow, hopefully back in a couple of weeks.