A few things

So rare for me to go so long between updates, but I am mostly plodding along on the same series of projects and taking care of me sick kitty (amazing how much emotional energy that takes, but he is doing well for the time being so it is worth it).  So, for those who care, there is a smattering of random updates below.

1. I did make it to Highland River Melees in Atlantia.  It was a lovely event (as always) with very nice weather.  I got to visit some people I do not often see, hang with some household folks and geek with some fantastic artisans.  Also learned a bit more about judging entries at A&S (I did not take part in the judging, but had some great conversation with those who were about their methodology and process).
2. Still working on my various weaving projects and getting some additional things done for Pennsic classes and display.  One of my new longterm projects is an Early Norse swatch book (I believe I have mentioned this before).  It will hold sample textiles of period weaves in the correct weights.  Additionally, it will have my attempts to reproduce very specific textiles based on extant pieces.  The newest sample is Veka cloth which is a woolen textile specific to Norway.  It is characterized by a dark blue warp with an undyed, and softer spun weft.  In my case I used a commercial single warp with a sett of 30 threads per inch and handspun Icelandic weft that woven at 23 picks per inch.  The originals were 33-36 in the warp and 23-25 weft and my sample should match those figures well once it is wet-finished so I am quite pleased.  This whole project is exciting to me because there is so much misunderstanding about the weights and the range of types of textiles in the Early Norse world.  I hope that something tactile can help people really get a better understanding of the quality evidenced in history.
   
3. I am hoping still to make it to the Lake Augusta Renaissance Faire this weekend, but it occurred to me that I will be potentially without a car, so I will have to wait and see what happens with that.  (UGH UGH UGH, I am really looking forward to this event so I am crossing my fingers that it still works out.)
4. Because my research never ends, I discovered a really nice new article by Eva Andersson Strand and Ulla Mannering.  "An exceptional woman from Birka" has a very nice discussion about dress from Birka and also some specifics about textiles.  It is from the book A Stitch in Time, which I have also recently ordered.
5. I have pretty good direction on how I plan to continue to research textiles, wool and sheep, but I have finally come up with a plan of attack for a more serious study of costume.  I teach a class about women's Viking dress, and while it touches on different styles, the focus of the class is actually to make a "generic" aprondress to get started (the participants go home with a mock-up of the garment).  I personally want to drill deeper into costuming and revamp my wardrobe to better fit a time and place in history.  I have chosen the Vestfold region of Norway as the focus of my persona so I will start there.  I will sit down and look more carefully at the archaeological reports from the sites at Oseberg, Kaupang and Gokstad and start compiling not only information about the textiles and dress, but other things such as appropriate accessories and tools.  My hope is that this will result (in a few years) in another handwoven dress that fits the evidence, but also in a class and possibly a persona pentathlon entry.  As I take this journey I will be posting regular updates here, of course.  :-)
   

My Veka Cloth