Is it period garb?? Boy's Thorbjerg pants

Item- Child's brown Thorsbjerg Pants

Materials- Fabric- one yard of 60/40 linen/rayon blend

                Thread- 100% cotton

Time to complete- 11 hours, including cutting and fitting

Cost- About $4 (linen was on sale, plus a discount coupon)

Construction-

seam placement

Sewing diagram

Cutting layout

These pants were cut out of one yard of brown linen rayon blend.  It was a bit hard wrapping my brain around how to cut the fabric to get the back to wrap around like the seam placement diagram, until I found the sewing diagram above right or another one. After playing tetris on my one yard of fabric I was able to get my cutting layout. 

My waist band ended up being two pieces because of space. I only have five belt loops even though the original had six, because I felt that six was excessive for the boy. All the seams are hand sewn and flat felled or hem stitched where appropriate with 100% cotton thread. See the construction section here for details... I choose the cotton thread because it flexes and moves in a similar way to linen, so less of the garment will be cut. The downside it that the only cotton thread I had is bright white. Whenever possible I kept very little thread showing on the right side of the garment.

front inside seams

seat inside seams

This cutting pattern ended up being way too baggy in the waist and the seat, to correct this I did end up putting one box pleat on each hip. And a few small tucks at the seat and crotch gusset seams. I also lowered the waist band folding the extra underneath and stab stitching it all down, making sure to that very little of my white thread showed on the outside, which corrected most of the bagginess. I choose to keep the excess fabric so that it can be let out as the boy grows.

first fitting- too baggy

Adjustments

Second fitting seat

In the second and final fitting the boy can ear the pants without a belt, but are still a bit baggy in the waist, and may slip if he wasn't wearing thermals underneath. The gussets in between the crotch seem to be a bit to wide  because the seat still puckers a bit, but is 100% better than the first fitting.

Close up

Notes, Thoughts, Observations-

Since this was my first time truly working with this pattern, I had cut things too big in the waist for the boy. I used the proportions in the diagrams above using his thigh measurement as a guide. Even with the initial pining I had significantly reduced the size of the gusset and seat, and shaved and extra on the leg pieces around the waist. I think that this pattern is more suited to someone with larger hips and more of a seat than my bean pole has. 

Also make sure the linen is washed in hot water and dried in the dryer several times before sewing the garment if it is going to unlined or worn by someone sensitive to the fabrics against the skin. I had pre-washed the fabric once, but it was still somewhat stiff, which is easier to sew with, but the boy complains it is scratchy. One bonus of washing it again and again after sewing it, is that the white cotton picked up more of the dye released by the fabric, so is much less noticeable.

Things I would do differently-

Well I would have pre-washed the fabric more than once to soften the fabric. I should have cut the pattern thinner to fit the boy better, this also would have allowed me to get a waist band in one piece. I would also try and find matching linen thread if my budget allowed, along with 100% linen. I think that the next time I do a pair of pants for him I will use the Skjoldehamn pattern since it seams easier to adjust for him.

What is period about it?

The fabric has the same weight, texture and color achievable in period. The Thorsbjerg pants are actually a diamond twill wool fabric, but many resources indicated that several different weights of linen are common. It is also hand sewn using several stitches that have been found in period garments. The Thorsbjerg finds have actually been dated to before SCA period between the first and third centuries A.D. Although there has been a crotch piece (scroll a quarter of the way down) of similar construction to the Thorsbjerg pants that was dated to the 10th century. Along with several carvings and other art depicting tight fitting pants. Making it feasible for this pattern to still be used in early period. Also the color of these pants was easily achieved, oak galls being common for browns. Although linen can be notoriously hard to dye, and often fades.

What isn't period About It?

Again like most of the garb I create I am limited in my fabric choices by funds. This fabric is a linen rayon blend. Rayon is considered a poor man's silk. It is fabricated from cellulose (wood pulp), so it is technically a natural fabric in the sense that it breathes, stretches moves, and originated from nature like other natural fabrics, although it has been artificially processed to achieve this. I am not sure that linen and silk were often combined within a fabric, I am still researching that. The cotton thread would be insanely expensive for northern Europe, and probably unheard of in the early period.

Early Period European Embroidery Examples

Here are a few of the extent embroidery pieces that have inspired the simplified embroidery design for the boy's tunic that I will soon be making.

Llagorse Textile 890's

The Clare Chausuble- English Embroided 1270's-1290's

Buckskin fragment 1200's

Maaseik embroidieries 9th-10th century Anglo Saxon

 Cuff and sketch from Queen Arnegunde 6th century Fankish Queen died in 570 buried St Denis near Paris

Cope English 1315-1335

Unknown coptic 7th to 12 century

Mammen Denmark  find

Egale Dalmica Austra 1330

Osbreg embroidery fragment

'Genesis' hanging. Details Calatunya, 11th Century

German or English 1200

Sources-
http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O93124/the-clare-chasuble-chasuble-unknown/
http://medieval.webcon.net.au/loc_england_anglo_saxon.html
http://www.alfalfapress.com/suvia/?p=231
http://reocities.com/Athens/forum/6948/arnegunde.html
http://www.bayeuxtapestry.org.uk/
http://historyofembroidery.blogspot.com/p/900-1299ad.html
http://heatherrosejones.com/llangorsembroidery/index.html
http://heatherrosejones.com/mammen/index.html
http://boryssnorc.com/tag/sca/
http://www.uni-bonn.de/~uph202/BilderMA/bild10.shtml
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/64.101.1382

Poulaines research

I sort of like this found pair- it has a slight heel to it and velvet uppers. Poulaines would help walking in long skirts, they have been on my list of things to eventually get/make for a long time...

Just some links for making Poulaines, mostly how to articale and what others have done.

http://www.heorot.co.nz/Hall/Wardrobe/Shoes/BlackPoulaine/ - Making of turn shoe poulaines

http://www.virtue.to/articles/poulaines.html - Poor mans poulaines- great way to generate a custom pattern

http://labricoleuse.livejournal.com/18311.html

http://www.mercwars.com/longtoe.shtml

http://www.flickr.com/photos/crimsongriffin/sets/72157612558187704/

http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/shoe/SHOEHOME.HTM

Making soap

So what do I do on a day where the husband says "NO MORE SEWING!!!"

I make soap.

Soap making is something that was very medieval. Soap is simple- it made from mixing lye and fat. 

Simple soap used animal fats mixed with wood ashes, this soap was usually a grayish color, and very harsh. this soap would be used by peasants or for laundry. Traditionally lye for bathing soap was obtained from filtering water through ashes. The resulting water could be then concentrated by boiling it down. This could be very dangerous. Then olive oil was mixed with the lye water to create castile soap. Herbs and scents could then be added to this soap. Castile soap was generally made by guilds and was considered a luxury item, so was heavily taxed, that usually only the rich could afford. 

Some History links about soap-

http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/historicalballs/History%20of%20soapmaking.htm 

http://www.simplysoaps.com/HistoryofSoap.aspx 

http://onthetudortrail.com/Blog/resources/life-in-tudor-england/tudor-hygiene-part-1-bathing/

http://soapcauldron.com/soapmakers-journal/soap-history/

http://www.mimifroufrou.com/scentedsalamander/2009/06/scented_quote_of_the_day_from_49.html

http://asn.am/cdp/topics/hygiene-cosmetics.php

So here is how I made soap. I have made soap several times before being involved in the SCA, due to my SLS allergies, and still do so about once a year, so this is not a new process for me. I am not exactly sure if medieval soap would be made the same way or not, I need to do more research, But I do know that medieval lye did not come in nice neat 16 oz crystals that I will be working with. This website is an excellent starting place if you choose to make your own soap.

So here is a pic of some of my ingredients. I used olive oil (plain-not virgin or extra virgin), Coconut oil,  rendered deer tallow (not in the picture) and some small amounts of coco butter and shea butter.  The coconut, and the coco/shea butters would probably not have been commonly used in period. I have used them to improve lather, moisturize, and to make sure the soap doesn't melt so quickly in the shower. They also quicken the time spent stirring.

 I measured the weight of all my oils individuality, then inputted the information into a lye calculator to determine how much lye, water and oils I need. Since my lye had become one big chunk from the moisture in the air, I had to add some canola oil to use the whole pound of lye. A very general estimate is for every 2 lbs (32 oz) of fats- 4oz of lye crystals and 8 to 12 oz of water are needed. I had a large batch, 120 oz of oil, a 16 oz container of lye and about 35 oz of water. This makes sure there is about 5% extra oils to make sure the soap is not harsh. This is called super fating  I wouldn't go over 10% super fat otherwise soap be soft, will melt easily and may go rancid. A lye calculator would probably not have been used in period, but I am sure that there were general rules of thumb that were followed.

So after I have all my ingredients weighed out, I put my fats and oils into a stainless steel pot and turn the heat on med/low to melt the tallow and warm them. Make sure this is big enough to eventually hold the lye and water. DO NOT use aluminum anything, the soap making process will corrode and pit the aluminum, while turning the soap grey.

While the oils are warming up add the lye to the cold water. Gently stir until crystals are dissolved. 

Caution- Make sure you are not using aluminum or plastic! Use gloves and eye protection. Lye is very caustic and will cause burns. It also becomes very hot very quickly so start with cold water, and it will melt some types of plastic. Make sure you are always pouring the lye into the water, otherwise you can get explosive reactions. If you do get lye on you rinse with cold water, hot water will cause pores to open and create worse burns. 

Also it is recommended that any utensils used for soaping not be used for food. Although in all fairness I do not. In fact my soaping supplies stay the cleanest in the house. Although I would not recommend this if using wooden utensils.

When the oils are melted and the lye dissolved let them both cool. The lye should be about 90 degrees and the fats slightly warmer at 100 to 120 degrees. I usually test this by touching the outside of the container- the fat should be hot but not burning to the touch and the lye just slightly cooler. 

Then slowly pour the lye mixture into the oils/fats. Lightly mix. The oils should go from a clear golden color to an opaque cashew color. (you should still have gloves on at this point)

Then you stir, and stir and stir some more. How long you stir depends on which fats and oils are used. Animal fats general set up much quicker, where as pure olive oil may have to be stirred for days by hand. I had stirred this batch for about 30 mins by hand before resorting to my immersion mixer.

As you stir you should notice the soap getting slightly thicker and lighter in color. 

After about 10 Minutes with the hand mixer my soap reached the trace stage. Trace is just like what it sounds like lifting up your soon leaves a slight raised trace on the surface. The whole mixture is almost white and resembles freshly mixed instant pudding. Stop Stirring. NOW.

Another picture without the flash where you can see the trace better. This is the point where you can add scent oils, colored waxes or herbs to the mixture. (melted crayon pieces are cheap and easy colorants if you have children) Be cautioned that sometimes these items make the soap set up much quicker. Then pour into molds. The molds should be food grade if clear plastic. I have used cardboard  and wood lined with wax paper. Oiled pvc tubes have been used by others for round soaps. At this point in time it is safe to touch the raw soap with your hands, although it is still harsh.

I used a empty cereal box for a large amount of unscented soap, and two smaller molds for scented soap to which I added some vitamin E for my itchy skin. I also used a bit of green food coloring (which the lye discolored into a earthy red/ dusky pink) to help tell apart the scents later. I had waited too long to get my soap into the molds, (or over stirred it) so I ended up spooning it into the molds, so my soap will not be quite as smooth and may have a few air bubbles. 

After pouring into the mold you may cover it with a towel for 24 hours, although I generally don't. During this time the soap may put off a lot of heat (just warm to the touch not hot) as it sets up. 

After a day or two the soap should be able to be unmolded and cut into bars. The surface may look somewhat chalky. Make sure it is solid all the through or hasn't separated. If it has separated, it can be remelted (slow heat with some more water) remixed, and set out to cure again. Batched soap can almost always be salvaged, although remelted soap has a slightly different texture. Using an immersion blender helps to prevent separation. 

After cut into bars the soap should be stacked in a way air can circulate around them and stored in a cool dry place for at least 4 weeks. The longer the soap cures the less harsh it will be.  Be forewarned that soaps with lots of excess fats/oil can and will go rancid, if in a warm place, they also will melt. A very unpleasant mess.

Some finished soaps from a couple of years ago. I estimate that this batch of soap cost me about $35, (mostly because the olive oil was on sale and the tallow free) and will yield about 40 four oz bars. On average it costs me about $1.25 per 4oz bar of soap, more if I use organic ingredients. 

I often will shread a bar up to make laundry soap. ( One quick note about the laundy soap recipe- Using distilled water with the laundry soap make it gel up very nicely, some hard waters will not gel otherwise)

Is It period Garb??- Child's striped pants

Item- Child's striped pants                                                 Materials- fabric- 100% cotton left over from husband pants. Thread- el cheapo poly cotton blend on a huge spool. Draw string- velvet ribbon from great grandma's ribbon stash.                                             Time to complete- About 6 hours                                                                             Cost-  Maybe 5 cents for thread 

Construction-  

These pants are simply constructed. It was created from left over cotton from another project. The fabric was already cut into 4 large tapered triangles. I cut the points off of the bottoms, and near the top. The bottoms were cut just to be a couple inches larger than the boy's ankle, which gave just enough height to reach his waist. The extras that were cut off were used as crotch gussets. 

The whole garment was then hand sewn using the same techniques as in the green tunic. I had a black velvet ribbon hemmed inside the waistband to act as a drawstring.

The white diagram at the right shows the general layout of the seams. Because this ended up being very very baggy in the waist I put in four large box pleats, (the red and orange lines in the diagram) before I hemmed the waistband. These pleats made it so there was less bulk at the front when the child tightened the drawstring, but still allows for maximum movement. Plus it was a time saver to redoing all the finished seams in the crotch and sides. 

Notes, Thoughts and Observations- 

Important- when hand sewing make sure you baste your garment together and try it on before you finish all the seams... Because you will not want to rip out finished seams that took you almost two hours to complete....

Things I would do differently-

I would make the legs straiter and a bit longer if I would have had the fabric to do so. This would have made the waist a bit smaller and the ankles a bit bigger. As is the way it was cut I would have only needed a small diamond gusset at the crotch for my bean pole child. Because of the room at the ankles and where the waist sits there is not a whole lot of upwards growth space. As is I will be adding a couple of inches to the ankles, because after watching my son run around in them for the last hour, I have realized that they show plenty of skin if he sits or brings his knees up, even though they are perfect when standing. Most of these things are due to fabric limitations.

One major thing I should have done was to baste the garment together and had the child try it on before finishing the seams. I would have been able to remove bulk from the waist that way. I should have undone my seams, removed the extra fabric, and refinished them instead of putting in the pleats. But I could not bring myself to redo that much work for a child's pants.

What Is period about it?

Well the hand sewing techniques are period, there was known to be yellow dye in viking times. There have been found pants with more than one color, so it is not to unfeasible to have narrow stripes. The fit may be a bit to baggy for viking pants, but I would expect to see a child's garment with some space for growth in period. Although there is evidence for strait legged pants- Damendorf trousers, Skjoldehamn trousers,

What isn't Period about it? 

The fabric is cotton, which is again is rare if not non exsistant in Viking Europe, wool linen and silk were all found. The crotch gusset is much simpler than than many extent trousers. Also black was very hard to achieve, so black stripes may not be feasible, although a very dark blue/black could have been achieved.


But all in all not a bad pair of light weight pants for playing at summer camping events, and considering the price I am not complaining. The out fit is semi-plausible  The child is happy and he won't go naked at events.

http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/daily_living/text/clothing.htm
http://www.cs.vassar.edu/~capriest/mensgarb.html
http://thorsonandsvava.sccspirit.com/pdf_files/Viking_handout_men.pdf
http://www.kelticos.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=4034
http://urd.priv.no/viking/bukser.html

Women's Headdresses- Ruffled or frilled veils

I am contemplating creating a ruffled veil (eventually). So far most examples are from northern Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and The Netherlands, with few English. Most of the dated art work is between 1320 and 1500, which is perfect time for my persona, if a bit out of location...

There seems to be three different styles of frilled veils. Simple ones, with only one or two frills or ruffles. Goffered veil or Nebule, which is more of a hood with face framing frills and surrounding the hem. And the many layered ruffle veil like the lady in the red houp above.

I want to create a veil with just some simple ruffles, like the one at the right. Or go here and click on the image to get a zoomable version. This type of ruffled veil seems to most versatile, It can been seen worn under other veil layers, or by itself in the early 1300's, and as part of more elaborate headdress of the 1400's.

The following are some other blogs and sites with some more examples and construction of ruffled veils.

http://www.larsdatter.com/frilled-veils.htm

http://m-silkwork.blogspot.com/search/label/frilled%20headwear

http://m-silkwork.blogspot.com/2007/04/fretworked-veil-headdress-of-catherine.html

http://m-silkwork.blogspot.com/2008/02/frilled-veil-in-action.html

http://sites.tufts.edu/putajewelonit/2011/09/21/glossary-of-english-hairstyles-headdress/

http://rosaliegilbert.com/veilsandwimples.html

http://dehuntington.wordpress.com/category/frilled-veils/

http://maniacalmedievalist.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/

http://www.kats-hats.co.uk/nebule.shtml

http://www.themcs.org/costume/Female%20reenactment%20costume.htm

http://chargirlgenius.dreamwidth.org/667884.html