Search found 91 matches
- Fri Apr 18, 2014 11:22 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Drop Spindles
- Replies: 6
- Views: 5527
Re: Drop Spindles
In answer to one of your original questions - yes. The style of the whorl (not the stick!) is period specific. Check what is correct for your period before you buy. (size as well as material - wood, clay, glass, pewter ...) The method of spinning, whatever shape the whorl, is the same; but some are ...
- Thu Jan 09, 2014 9:09 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Gown Hem Hook - 1500s
- Replies: 9
- Views: 6630
Re: Gown Hem Hook - 1500s
I have a couple of sets and have used them on a Henrician gown (Thomas More family portrait stylee). They don't need any loops or holes as they are sharp and just push through the fabric. As they never go in exactly the same place any holes heal up. The tape/belt they are on just sits round the back...
- Sun Dec 30, 2012 12:49 pm
- Forum: Forum Technical Support and News
- Topic: Post Spam Messages Here
- Replies: 224
- Views: 221663
- Mon Apr 09, 2012 10:44 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Going Tudor?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 4262
Re: Going Tudor?
Hi Miri difficult to know what to suggest as I'm not sure what you're starting with, but for most people clothes this early in the 1500s are still really like late medieval - long panels, very few waist seams, top half fitted, skirts flaring out from hips, no gathers. Pictures of different coloured ...
- Thu Mar 29, 2012 6:55 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Going Tudor?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 4262
Re: Going Tudor?
The main difference is that there is much, much more fabric in the skirts - especially by the time you get to the Elizabethan end of the century, and there is a waist seam. It gives a very different outline/silhouette. If you are prepared to go for an extra garment, the simplest solution is to make ...
- Fri Sep 30, 2011 1:21 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Dress Pattern Suggestions?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 7267
Re: Dress Pattern Suggestions?
it goes without saying, of course, that yours will do up properly



- Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:48 pm
- Forum: General History
- Topic: Peg Loom
- Replies: 28
- Views: 16039
Re: Peg Loom
The problem with lucets is also that while it seems to disappear during mudieval and two-door period, it re-appears later. Sooo, the "discussion" is about whether it actually disappeared and became a C17th arts & crafts revival (!) or if it was just so common-place no one bothered writing or paintin...
- Thu Sep 08, 2011 10:53 am
- Forum: General History
- Topic: Peg Loom
- Replies: 28
- Views: 16039
Re: Peg Loom
Oh I was going to ask about inkle looms as there are a lot on eBay and I'd really like one to make tablet weaving more manageble (and put-downable). Is there a general consensus, or maybe I should search old threads? Either way I'll probably get one at least for at home. the new ones vary a lot in ...
- Tue Sep 06, 2011 4:37 pm
- Forum: General History
- Topic: Peg Loom
- Replies: 28
- Views: 16039
Re: Peg Loom
Don't get me started - haven't used either of those 'in public' for years either ...lucy the tudor wrote:Lucets are debatable, very, but lovely too.
Mally, I take your lucet...
and raise you....
the inkle loom
- Tue Sep 06, 2011 12:44 pm
- Forum: General History
- Topic: Peg Loom
- Replies: 28
- Views: 16039
Re: Peg Loom
How about the influx of what looks like the Japanese kumihimo (? however it's spelled!) disc braiding? I've seen a lot of it about recently, from Viking to modern, and I was wondering is it actually authentic for any of it? Used to do it as a kid back in the 60s wusing a cotton reel with panel pins...
- Tue Aug 16, 2011 9:41 am
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Sewing projects
- Replies: 105
- Views: 46548
Re: Sewing projects
Do you think I should experiment with that toile and put a gore in for practice? What is the A-line toile a pattern for? It appears to be far too narrow for anything medieval. If it's for something modern and you're just practicing with techniques, putting gores in will add width around the hips an...
- Mon Aug 08, 2011 12:42 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Sewing projects
- Replies: 105
- Views: 46548
Re: Sewing projects
Can I ask a quick question. What is a 'gore', and what is 'burgundian'? A 'gore' is a triangular piece of fabric. If the main body of the kirtle or gown is cut with straight edges you don't have enough width around the hips or around the hem. This might be because you don't have a wide enough piece...
- Thu Aug 04, 2011 9:12 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Sewing projects
- Replies: 105
- Views: 46548
Re: Sewing projects
isnt that funny, that dress is on my long term 'to do' list as well, mine is going to be in purply grey linen when I eventually get round to it. It's on my list too - I've got a similar with-reflections style photo on my phone! ladydetemps, as teagirl and others say - take your time, it is enjoyabl...
- Fri Apr 15, 2011 3:59 pm
- Forum: 1485-1603
- Topic: Elizabethan or Jacobean groups
- Replies: 19
- Views: 21030
Re: Elizabethan or Jacobean groups
If you read the TT page more closely, it says those outer garments would do an ordinary man for later part of C16th, and that the garments are based on some of the examples in Janet Arnold's book 1560 - 1620. NOT that the garments will cover all those years. Fashions lower down the social scale do n...
- Mon Apr 04, 2011 11:09 pm
- Forum: 1485-1603
- Topic: Elizabethan or Jacobean groups
- Replies: 19
- Views: 21030
Re: Elizabethan or Jacobean groups
The events at Kentwell are organised by the owner. While people who belong to lots of different groups take part, individuals (and families) apply to the owner to take part. The process starts in Jan/Feb. There is an open day for potential participants in March, then another in May before the main e...
- Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:55 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: a sleeve question - 15thC
- Replies: 14
- Views: 4973
Re: a sleeve question - 15thC
No probs. Sorry can't give chapter and verse, but I know it is talked about in Tudorbethan terms as a 'later thing'. Of course, that doesn't mean it wasn't about much earlier ... you can really tie yourself in knots with this sort of thing :roll: Would another possibility be buttons? I don't really ...
- Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:45 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: a sleeve question - 15thC
- Replies: 14
- Views: 4973
Re: a sleeve question - 15thC
2 seams, one along the front one along the back of the sleeve, are, I believe a later thing - late C16th onwards (no, can't cite refs, sorry!)
- Mon Aug 23, 2010 12:16 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Provenance: Capped Sleeved Kirtles 15C
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5904
Re: Provenance: Capped Sleeved Kirtles 15C
All of these pictures are for short sleeves, proper sleeves, fitted like full length sleeves, but shorter. This is not what I picture if I think of a capped sleeve - which is not much bigger than the wings you get on shoulders of late C16-C17th doublets. I'm not aware of any capped sleeves, by this ...
- Sun Aug 08, 2010 4:16 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Weaving Sticks and Inkle Looms
- Replies: 18
- Views: 6837
Re: Weaving Sticks and Inkle Looms
You are asking people to prove a negative, which is tricky. Received opinion is that inkle looms are C20th, possibly appearing as part of the craft revival in the 1920s. I know of one trader who sells inkle looms (and I have one and I love it) on the understanding that their design can be used to pr...
- Tue Jul 27, 2010 12:20 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Tudor bodice question
- Replies: 12
- Views: 5038
Re: Tudor bodice question
Just to emphasize part of Jenn's answer - you wouldn't have a draw-string waist on the skirt. The skirt is either attached to a waistband or directly on to the bottom of the bodice. The part of the skirt at the front (only about 3-4" either side of the centre front) is flat, the pleats then going ro...
- Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:02 am
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Tudor bodice question
- Replies: 12
- Views: 5038
Re: Tudor bodice question
Here is the article Sophia mentioned. Do not use knitting nancy type cord. This is wrong, besides which it makes a knitted tube and is not dense enough, so it will wear out very quickly. Lucet cord is good (we can ignore the small can of worms about lucets in the C16th) and it would take an expert ...
- Thu Jul 08, 2010 8:07 pm
- Forum: Forum Technical Support and News
- Topic: Post Spam Messages Here
- Replies: 224
- Views: 221663
- Sat Jun 19, 2010 8:16 am
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Candle making and soap making
- Replies: 14
- Views: 5654
Re: Candle making and soap making
They also get eaten by mice.
And if you don't keep the tallow pot out of the way, the tallow will be eaten by escapee piglets.
I was not happy that day
And if you don't keep the tallow pot out of the way, the tallow will be eaten by escapee piglets.
I was not happy that day

- Fri Jun 18, 2010 7:52 pm
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Candle making and soap making
- Replies: 14
- Views: 5654
Re: Candle making and soap making
Candles can also be made from Tallow, which is rendered beef or mutton fat from the inner body cavity (think round the kidneys) which has been carefully clarified - can't remember any sources at the moment as brain full of Kentwell packing lists. Again Sweetness and Light can probably advise you, I...
- Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:34 pm
- Forum: 1100-1500
- Topic: Candle making and soap making
- Replies: 14
- Views: 5654
Re: Candle making and soap making
Candle wicks would have been made of plant fibres - so flax, or nettle for example. I believe you if you say you've seen a source for cotton wicks, but <sound of can of worms being opened> I'd have thought it would have been too much of a luxury/expensive item to be used for candles on a day to day ...
- Wed May 05, 2010 8:58 pm
- Forum: 1603-1715
- Topic: Ladies knitted cap c1700
- Replies: 1
- Views: 2636
Re: Ladies knitted cap c1700
Is it the same shape as linen coifs of the period? Might it just be a warmer version..?
Looks slightly odd, but I think that might be the un-naturally long neck of the mannequin (or is it just me?)
Looks slightly odd, but I think that might be the un-naturally long neck of the mannequin (or is it just me?)
- Mon Apr 26, 2010 7:51 am
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Mrs F's new stays
- Replies: 22
- Views: 6247
Re: Mrs F's new stays
Wow, they are stunning 

- Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:20 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Mid late C15 womens coat?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 7214
- Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:25 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Drop spinning and carding questions
- Replies: 39
- Views: 13498
- Tue Sep 15, 2009 2:40 pm
- Forum: Costumes
- Topic: Drop spinning and carding questions
- Replies: 39
- Views: 13498