this weekend

[gailsedotes]

there were at least 2 doz paniced newbies at kentwell for the costumeing weekend. It was great to have Bess there, that meant we could split up the participants instead of having to to all the bodice toilles myself as per usual while Rosemary did the gentry. Mike (Rosemary's brother) was also there and we had at least a half doz men to do so it was great to push them in his direction.

On Sat I did:

6 bodice tiolles up to getting them fitted and boned

helped with a doublet

reworked an old kirtle

On Sun I did:

got 4 of the bodices up to where all that was left was the hand

stitching and eyelets

gave a how to make a skirt lecture

how to do eyelet lecture

how to turn your bodice inside out lecture

how to draw mens trousers lecture (emphasising the need to add more ease than you think and where)

drew one basic trouser pattern showing where and how to add the ease, measured and drew a second without and left the lads to add the ease as a learning oppertunity, then came back later and fixed it when it all went horribly wrong...

fixed/repaired three sewinging machines armed only with a steel awl

gave a how to use a sewing machine lecture to a half doz never used one before but this is my mother's from the attic (after having fixed them)

dealt with the woman and her husband from hell who made me and Bella miss lunch

got to late comers up to tacking canvas to drill stage on more bodices

All in all it was very hectic a lot of fun, sometimes very irratating, great to see Bella and Bess and Edmund and Mike (who I only ever see at these things) and meet new fun participants and make them feel relaxed and silly and happy to be doing this...

Comments

[myladyswardrobe.livejournal.com]

I think I must have done about 6 bodices too! My hands were really badly cramping by late Saturday and most of Sunday. Edmund had to help me with the last one (Caz - who VERY sweetly emailed me as soon as she got home near Brighton last night to thank me for all my help!!! SO nice to be appreciated).

Who were the woman and husband from hell?? I didn't know about those two!! And I didn't get much in the way of lunch on the Sunday either! Only 1 Veggie Burger (they were rather yummy though!).

Are you doing it again on the May Cossie Making Sunday (day after the OD)?

[gailsedotes.livejournal.com]

yes i will be there!

the woman who owned the fabric shop - blond long hair and glasses
she came in and just grabbed me and started asking questions. But would not give me long enought to reply or demonstrate, or show her anything. she kept saying - "just tell me what to do..." and she did not want to stay. Basically, they had booked in for lunch - and meant that "Oh we'll do lunch at kentwell and go somewhere else after!" and she complained nonstop. she acted like she was an expert - but had never worked with boning... you know the type who insists that she knows everything and doesn't need to to the research (hopefully, she wont show up in the simplicity shakespeare in love pattern with a zip down the back...)

[myladyswardrobe.livejournal.com]

I dont think I had the pleasure (?) of meeting her, but I know what you mean by the "experts" who dont research and dont think they need any teaching at all!

Poor you!

Are they participants????

If she DOES show up with Shakespeare-in-love Simplicity gown with or without zip at the back, she will NOT be passed by me AND I will make a report of it!