To skip the talkity-talk below and go right to the tutorial, click here. But I recommend you read on anyway. Buttonholes… the mere thought of them strikes cold fear into the hearts of European 14th century clothing enthusiasts. The 14th century was probably the most insanely over-buttoned century ever. We few, we committed few, will …

The Medieval Buttonhole Read More »

While I have consistently indulged in a relatively deep scoop neckline for my 14th century-style fitted dresses, I have done so in a willful departure from what the art of the time actually reveals. In fact, I have come across precious few images of fitted dresses with generously wide shoulder seams that also dip low …

The Fitted Dress Neckline: Devil in the Details Read More »

I was recently asked how I placed my eyelets for lacing my dresses shut. I lace the fronts and sides of my dresses using an off-set pattern of eyelets, finished with matched eyelets on each side at the top and the bottom of the opening. This arrangement facilitates a spiral lacing pattern which reliably holds …

Spiral Lacing—Why and how to do it on 14th century clothing Read More »

A few months ago I was invited to present on my recent research into medieval martial garments of the 14th century by Jason Smith, the organizer of a Western Martial Arts event called Borealis Swordplay Symposium. The event was held last weekend in Ottawa, Ontario. I figured I received the offer to present out of …

Who likes medieval martial garments? Students of medieval martial arts. Read More »

At long last, I have information for ordering a copy of the journal containing my paper on the cut and construction of the pourpoint attributed to Charles VI of France, which currently resides in the Musée des Beaux-Arts of Chartres, France. The paper, which takes up 28 pages of the 2/2013 edition of the journal …

The Charles VI pourpoint paper is available for order! Read More »

Another workshop I held during my California trip was on the topic of fitting a grande assiette sleeve in the style of the Charles de Blois pourpoint. I did a quick demo on draping the upper sleeve directly on the body, followed by instructions for drafting the upper sleeve, gores and all, with measurements. I …

New tutorial lite: Drafting a grande assiette-style upper sleeve from measurements Read More »

For my recent workshops in California, I produced a couple of hand-outs for attendees. Tonight I webbed one of them, a sort of fast-and-rough guide to making a dress from a bust-supportive bodice pattern. While far from comprehensive, it does contain a fair bit of useful information, especially for the advanced beginner who is comfortable …

New tutorial lite: Making a dress from your bust-supportive bodice pattern Read More »

For the third time, I attended the International Congress on Medieval Studies held at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, which went from Thursday, May 9th through Sunday May 12th. My first time there was 2004, when I was five months pregnant with my son. I experienced the conference with the sense of being an outsider, …

Impressions after the Medieval Congress Read More »

This coming week is a busy one! I’m flying into Chicago on Wednesday and will then travel to Kalamazoo, Michigan with my beau to attend the 48th Annual International Congress on Medieval Studies held on Western Michigan University’s campus from Thursday May 9th through Sunday May 12th. Bright and early Thursday morning (8 AM), we’ll …

Medieval Martial Lovefest in Kalamazoo Read More »

On Saturday, April 13th, at Loyola Hall on the campus of Santa Clara University, I presented an afternoon of immersion into the tailoring of two famous French pourpoints dated to the fourteenth century: The Charles VI and the Charles de Blois. It is impossible to study fourteenth century clothing without paying at least some attention …

Fourteenth Century Clothing Workshops in California Read More »