Way more pattern users than I had realised

It's always charming to have answers to questions, but I'm certain this is the most e-mail I've received in reply to a simple question about sewing.

But it's great - I had no idea so many people used paper patterns.

I tend to think SCA sempstresses and tailors are self-taught, like me, from the T-tunic onward, a la Greyfells. I should remember we've all come from all corners...and Europeans (if not Britons) are far better at teaching their kids crafts and handwork skills in school than in Canada, so lots of people would graduate with 'real' sewing skills.

When I started sewing for SCA, the 'costume' end of the commerical paper pattern collection was for Hallowe'en only. But honestly, these are a long way from the Snow White and Cinderella outfits I remember - the bonnet's a bit odd, but otherwise fine.

Burda 7468 Middle Ages dress and bonnet and Burda 7977 Kirtle

A Simplicity Italian Renaissance gown - not my style, but recogniseable for the era.

Browsing the Burda site, there's a lot more costume options for adults, for every era - lots of 19th c style clothing, gothy steampunky clothing, Gibson Girl stuff. You can still find a wench bodice outfit if you want, but the selection is far better than it once was. There's even 16th c and 19th c corset patterns.

One source I hadn't known before is Margo's patterns, and I may be lashing out on at least one package (found a reseller in the UK who also carries RH).

One correspondent told me her favourite source is the German translation of Medieval Tailor's Assistant. Hopefully I'll get to tell Sarah Thurfeld of her success at the next MEDATS conference.

In the meantime - tomorrow I have another day off (using up leave at odd times, even during the crunch time, otherwise it expires). And I'm going to Weiss Gallery for the Tudor Child launch promotion. I've never been to the gallery, and I've got my copy in hand, so I can quiz the authors about the fabric sources. :-)

Visity visits

I've spent some time with larmer and family this week, and it's delightful to see and hear Canadians talking right. :-)

But I'm spoiled by London. I'd completely forgotten the tourist habit of 'doing a museum' in its entirety in one day - Robert and I have the luxury of coming back, so we tend to visit one gallery at a time, or one exhibit at a time.

So I met up with the family, and we saw Assyrian, Egyptian, medieval and some Roman galleries, at which point I had to bail and leave larmer his CG and L to it. No staying power! I recovered on the sofa, nursed by a purring pusscat.

This evening we went to dinner together and Robert joined them for a pint in the pub. L was looking worn out - the whole Harry Potter tour in one day, then dinner stuck with boring adults who just talk, can do that I guess.

I don't know if seeing SCA friends from Ealdormere primed me somehow, but we were standing saying goodbye in Baker St station, when a bearded gent and I did a mutual double-take, and stared at each other, then said, 'I know you from somewhere...'

It was Lord Seamus, from der Wulfengau, an archer and friend from my first years in the SCA. He dropped out after school, so it was a wonder that we recognised each other across 15+ years.

He now lives in Oxford doing science.

I whipped out a card, and gave him my details, saying we'd be in Oxford this weekend for an event, come for a pint. It would be splendid to see him! Bizarre and unlikely timing. Hope he turns up.