Tudor Embroiderd Smock

As if I didn't have enough garb in the que, I have accepted and embroidery challenge!

 I should back up and say that I LOVE the history and garb of the Tudor time period, but as much as I love the garb it is really too much for me to wear and be productive. Also it is out of MSR's timeline. However I always wanted to make 1 really awesome Tudor dress. I mentioned this to Rose and she happened to have the perfect fabric (of course) in stock at Roses' fabric emporium and it is even in purple. But the project has been sitting on the shelf for over a year. I have this MAJOR sewing project going on right now (Byzantine garb for Acre coronation) and I thought maybe after that.....

Then Athena's thimble had some of there masters issue challenges, and I LOVE challenges. So I accepted one from Mistress Amy Webbe. Her challenge is create a 16th century embroidered clothing item or accessory. Well that was the kick I needed to get started. I was really hung up on making the smock as I wanted to make that first and that was the item I knew the least about.

I have contacted Amy and officially accepted the challenge and spent the last 2 hours doing internet research and getting lists of library books to go look at.

I realized when I was talking with someone I very much respected about doing A&S competitions that the thing I am most nervous about is that my research won't be enough. It is the problem I had in college when I was doing research papers. I never thought I was done with the research part.

So I think I have enough info to make a plan on how to do the smock. I still have to finish the Byzantine stuff I am working on, but I think I have a definite plan and even an blackwork design. I am going to document everything and since I am starting from square one, I might as well prepare it so it can also be an A&S submission. I have about 4 of them in the works, none of them ready for display :)

I already know I want to do my dress based on the design of what Jane Seymour wore. I have the fabric and I have a plan. I just need to take that first step!

Checking in on my Olives

Well things are certainly happening. I am not sure exactly what, but things are happening. I have tried in vain to find out the actual chemistry of what is going on with some of these cures, I have the general idea of what is supposed to be happening so I guess that will have to do.

The problem is that I am not sure what they are supposed to look like, so I can't wait to get together with the others who are curing olives and see what is what.

Olives in salt water brine after 2 weeks. This is the one that most concerns me. I totally guessed at how much salt to add to the water so I am not sure if the milky water is good or bad.

Olives in honey at 2 weeks. The olives on the top are more brown than what is underneath. I have been stirring all 3 cures every few days so hopefully they will look uniform. I think the honey is starting to ferment as it certainly smells like meade.

Olives in Vinegar brine at 2 weeks. I have seen the least change in this batch. They are just about as dark as they were last week and no real change to the liquid.

 

 

 

Olives in salt water brine at week 3. Um....ewww. I am not sure what is going on. There is now some white solid matter on the surface that dissipates upon stirring. It smells faintly of yeast so I am hoping it is that and not mold.

Olives in Honey at week 3. Olives getting darker and honey getting thinner and smells a bit more like there is some fermentation of the honey going on.

Olives in Vinegar brine at week 3. This one still looks about the same. Most tempted to taste test one of these :)