12th C Bliaut

Without a doubt my favourite gown, absolutley...

The design is based on the fresco depicting the story of 'the foolish virgins' from Castel d'Appiano in Trentino Alto Adige, Italy.

14 th century sideless surcoat

 

I have always loved this fabric blue satin with black velvet fleur de lys powdered on it! The other side in black velvet.

The fabric was  a wonderful birthday present given to me by a dear friend many years ago and in memory of her I have saved every little scarp of the fabric, and used it in a variety of projects

This style of surcoat can be found in several manuscripts from the period including the Codex Manesse   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codex_Manesse ( 1304-1340)

 It is a simple to make yet very elegant style and comfortable as well.

These beautiful photographs were taken by  the talented Wendy Spicer at our farm.

Anglo-Saxon gown

This has to be one of my favourite photographs. It was taken by Kyle Andrews.

Here is another one. This is an eleventh century high status over gown and under dress. Both are made of linen though to be correct to the period it should have been wool. However our summers can be hot and very humid not a particularly good combination for woollen layers. This gown has no train and just skims the ground making it very practical.  The veil is a silk and wool blend with a woad dyed linen under cap. I have some of my Shetland sheep fleece spun into embroidery yarn and dyed with woad, madder and weld, with which to further embellish the overdress.
This picture was taken at an SCA event hence the coronet.

 The manuscript 'cartoon'  of  the Anglo-Saxon Queen Emma
(c. 985 – March 6, 1052) was the inspiration for the project.