Author Archives: Tina

15th Century costume: sleeves

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While she was in Orpington, Lucy helped me to create a pattern for a sleeve for my kirtle.  To be honest, she did most of the work. I just stood getting measured and giving advice.

Now I have cut out sleeves from the kirtle fabric and white cotton for the lining.  In those days, sleeves weren’t sewn in, but attached by pins or ties, so you could wear different ones with the same garment.

The cream fabric is a bit of curtain I bought in a charity shop.  I plan to use it for a giornea (a sort of over-dress), another pair of sleeves and a headdress.

Free to Believe Conference

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I’m spending a couple of days at High Leigh conference centre near Hoddeston, Hertfordshire, exploring various aspects of Liberal Theology.
I have been here before, but always by car. The nearest station is Broxbourne, which is a half hour’s walk away. I was expecting a boring walk along the main roads, but by spending a few more minutes, I was able to use the New River Path.
Broxbourne Station and New River
This was a pleasant surprise!
New River aqueduct There was a bit of main road, but then a path beside the park which I remembered from last time.

A grand day out

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Gemma and I got the train from Northfield to Redditch, to visit the Needle Museum there. The visitor centre wasn’t open, but there was a little café selling coffee etc, and the museum was open.

There was an excellent textile exhibition, then three small galleries showing all different kinds of needles and how they were made.

We walked past the visitor centre, and across the field to some Abbey ruins which are nearby.  There were many dogs and families – all the labradors we saw had clearly been having fun in the stream!

Altogether a splendid day out!

 

A glorious day’s dancing

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Gemma’s Morris side, Blackadder, were dancing out at Upton on Severn today.

The sun shone and there were many other sides…

… as well as a plethora of interesting stalls selling food and clothing.

The day was rounded off with a mass dance – several sides all dancing together to The British Grenadiers.

There was also a barn dance under the bridge, but I was joining in, so I didn’t get any photos!

A trip to Birmingham

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I’m visiting Gemma and Paddy this weekend, and took the opportunity to visit an exhibition at the Ikon Gallery.

A lovely building as well.

Then I wandered through Birmingham and along the canal before getting a train to Gemma’s.

There’s a lovely marquetry map of Selly Oak at King’s Norton station for some reason.

Firelighting Course

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Keen to get leaders back outside with their girls, the folks at Paxwood offered a firelighting course for new and inexperienced leaders, or those who have lost confidence during Covid.  They were invited to come with or without a few girls, and some experienced leaders were available for support and encouragement – of which I was one!

I was very impressed with the Brownies’ wood pile; small but beautifully formed:

Later on they offered me a toasted wrap.  Rather more toasted than perhaps ideal, but I was hungry so it was welcome.  It contained strawberries, slices of banana and some marshmallows which melted goo-ily.  I’d not seen wraps cooked on the fire before, so there is always something new to learn even for old hands like me!

Regency turban really under way now!

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So, having bought a wig stand and a stretchy turban as a basis…

 

The next step was to drape fabric around it.  This is left over from the Regency dress, so it’ll match.

Draping front

Draping back

Now to begin stitching it all together (and hopefully not to the stand).  I also found a little collection of sparkly bits which might work as decorations.