Sabine’s Pages http://www.boryssnorc.com/

Whopee! The previous wearer had sewn the shoulder straps tighter. 3 sets of existing grommets per sleeve opened the armholes right up. They also fueled a thought: a little research and sewing machine love could yield a respectable Italian Renn.

I would need MUCH added length to avoid the medieval miniskirt look. I could close the bodice all the way at the expense of breathing and mobility so that needed to be addressed. But the shoulder grommets begged for detachable sleeves, and if I used the same fabric in the sleeves as the additional hem, the disparate elements would harmonize. I could also use that same fabric for a modesty panel, thus enabling breathing (a pastime of which I’m exceedingly fond.)

I also decided I would actually pursue a measure of authenticity with this one.

Thus I hit Google. Here are some sites I found useful and concise in the vast sea of costuming and reenacting information:

http://homepages.wmich.edu/~rowen/renbk/rendressbook.html#anchor320283 

http://ilaria.veltri.tripod.com/italiandress.html

http://www.jennylafleur.com/diary/ren02.htm

As I read around ideas flowed. During the Italian renaissance, sleeves became an expression of the wearer’s wealth and downright extravagance. My mind flowed to my findings drawer, and thoughts of trim and piping and pearls flowed freely. The findings will bring additional unity to the mix-n-match pieces of my franken-garb.

My garb closet is full of scavenged linens, muckabout garb, and a few modestly nice dressed. Now I’m looking forward to a hoity toity lady dress! Our shire’s Twelfth Night Party is close enough to provide a deadline and far enough out to keep things low pressure.

This is gonna be fun!

OK, ok. Once the initial exhuberance wore off, gravity started doing strange things once again and aliens exploded from my lungs. I told Wolf not to let me overdo it, and off we went.

Holiday Faire is held in the Barony of Stierbach. Atlantian denizens turnout by the score to celebrate the pre-holiday season, which means merchants galore! I sought ideas more than purchases, but we scored BIIIIG! The silent auction yielded priceless treasures for a pittance, and inspired a new quest–but more on that later.

We were not the only Sylvan folk venturing into our neighboring kingdom.

Bera and Katharine

Mark with Snaebjorn and Isabella

Bitter cold and biting winds made me linger inside too long to see Margarita fighting. By the time we braved the outdoor lists, she was gathering up her gear. Her flushed face and explosive smile told us she fought well and learned much.

The Choir

A choir gathered in the corner to perform.  Their heavenly harmonies swelled the cold, vaulted feast hall.  I wanted to save them on video, but the silent auction thundered towards the finish. I hovered like a vulture, vigilant against competitive bidders.  Video was out of the question!

Isabella and Katharine

We found a kindred spirit in a talkative blacksmith. As we tore ourselves away we exchanged contact info and found to our delight that he lives but a few towns away!

A good day, a quiet day. A good, low-key event to be enjoyed on flu medicine. And the booty we brought home! But that is another story….

We faced an unusual conundrum.   We wanted something simple and quick in the costume department.  Garb was a no-brainer, but is everyday attire among this crowd.  So we took the next path of least resistance– I dressed as a cowgirl and my love dressed as my horse!

See the full gallery at Laughing Gypsy Photography!

InstaKilt

This was Scott and Noel’s first faire, and Wolf’s first faire on the east coast, and Wolf and my first faire married.
Orange ices staved off the heat while we

played dressup….

…enjoyed ourselves…

…and enjoyed the performances–especially the horses!

We took some pictures and videos of the renaissance faire, and ran into Fergus from a neighboring shire. Our shire folk, alas, changed their plans, leaving us as Sylvan Glen’s sole representatives.

Everything you need can be found at Goodwill, Walmart, or Ebay. Want proof?

A full size, workable ballista is currently at auction.  Not just any ballista but a CELEBRITY ballista at that.  (Does that make it a celebrista?)  Originally made for a joint BBC/ Discovery Channel production, “Building the Impossible,”  this baby can be YOURS!

We love this video (and not just cause we love Peter Gabriel!)

Hurry and place your bid now before its going, going, gooooone!

The opening ceremonies for the noon joust at the MD Renaissance Faire, Aug, 2008.

Enjoy this tale of a tiny jouster.