Author Archives: Ciara McRobbie

I’m not going to make it, but I’m not going to quit. The belt is done, the underdress is 95% done, I had to go with the fallback plan on that one. The bliaut skirt is pleated, 68 pleats hand … Continue reading →

This is the dress I have always wanted, but to get it out there right away, my construction technique theory is not the mainstream one, so I have not made it. If I made it following accepted construction methods, it … Continue reading →

The sculptures show several options from the first one has no belt, the next two have belts with dangling ends, one has a buckle the other is tied. The last one is from the Angers Cathedral (1130-1160) and it looks … Continue reading →

Shoes. Something I’ve been meaning to try for mumblty years so here goes. I’ve studied the book “Leather and Leatherworking in Anglo-Scandinavian and Medieval York” by Quita Mould, Ian Carlisle, and Esther Cameron ever since I found it in York … Continue reading →

What’s so exciting about an underdress? Keyhole neckline, extra-long sleeves to ruche up, ankle length w/ wide gores for fullness, no big deal right? Wrong, and it’s all St Hugo’s fault! See, a couple years ago, I came across this … Continue reading →

OK, my fingers are toast! I am not a hand sewer, I love my sewing machine, it’s so much faster than I am, and I’m not (usually) left bleeding at the end of making something. But this is for all … Continue reading →

In researching the hose, there is a definite difference in cut between hose of the 12C and hose of the 14C. Hose from the 12C appears to consist of two parts one that covers the leg and the back half … Continue reading →

The chemise is the first layer, the one closest to the skin. I used a handkerchief weight linen with silk thread. The plan was to use linen thread drawn from the fabric, but even doubled up, it broke with just … Continue reading →

Work has almost finished on the chemise, and I have made a mock up of the hose using some scrap fleece which has about the same weight and stretch as the wool I will use for the real thing. As … Continue reading →

So from the top, the veil. The figures of the Royal Portal of the Chartres Cathedral show several variations: So I opted for veiled. I chose a lightweight silk, rounded the corners, and hemmed it with silk thread using a … Continue reading →