During the very first part of Covid, way back in 2020, I decided to make an Elizabethan dress. I used an upcycled sari and a pattern from Revival. This is the first dress of this kind I ever made and I am very happy with the result. Pictured is the first time I got to wear it for one our first events back in March of this year. I paired it with other pieces I had acquired from other artisans during the pandemic.

Alternate Photo

Work in progress

black work

First picture is marking the frame

Next will be binding the edges

During Covid I took a number of embroidery classes.online. This class was a blackwork picture. Blackwork is new to me. I had recently tried a smaller running stitch piece and realized that not all blackwork was reversible. I jumped into trying these new stitches and found that once you knew where to start and stop, it was fairly easy. What was not easy was getting the blackwork to look OK in odd shapes. This is also my first time utilizing spangles.

More information and additional pictures are available here: https://diverseartsdabbler.blogspot.com/2021/02/medieval-horse-rider.html
(note: link takes you to an external site not managed by the Age of Covid A&S Tourney)

Joined the SCA in March: still no official SCA name (just Melissa Jarrett d Bright Hills for now). First official Arts and Science project: the impression of a medieval crespinette. It’s so odd looking to the modern eye (and I Love it!!). I’m already thinking about how I make a second version…giving the impression of a golden metal crespinette that shows off volume of braids inside…

Thank you to Wolfkat for teaching a workshop on making a crespinette at Costume College!! I can’t claim credit for the veil or wimple (and I went to an SCA garb sale and got myself a few starter pieces).