War Practice was fun, despite Mother Nature's best attempt to make a muck of Saturday.  The weather Friday was wonderful.  We ate good food, got to do a walk around the site, went to the ball for a bit.  It felt a little like home.

Saturday it rained.  It rained some more.  It got colder and rained even more.  But still hosted a breakfast for friends and taught my Viking textiles class (which went over well, but will have some more organization and samples by Pennsic).  I bought my refillable mug from Beast and Boar for Pennsic.  So despite the rain, it was a nice day.

Got dressed up in a new style of aprondress for Court.  Yay for me not tripping on the train!

I got to see friends get awards, and some new Fleurs made.  I was rather stunned when I was called forward to receive my writ for the Order of the Laurel.

I really still have no words. 

I have been doing a lot of thinking these last few days, and eventually I will put it all in writing.  Eventually.

I am greatly honored, but really, still cannot properly phrase everything that is going through my head.  My Vigil (date/time to be decided) and Elevation will be at Pennsic.

So I guess for now I am just going to work on some new garb and other preparations for Pennsic (and try not to halt my own progress by documenting the heck out of everything as I work, lol).

War Practice is THIS WEEKEND!

I am very much looking forward to this event, to teaching my new class, and to lots, and lots, of A&S geeking. 

The last month or two has been crazy busy with work, and this will be a much needed break and chance to just enjoy myself. 

Looking forward to seeing lots of ya'll there :-)

http://debatablelands.org/events/2016-05-19,2016-05-22%20-%20War%20Practice.php

I have been very busy lately sorting through the copious swatches I have procured as part of my Viking textiles and clothing class (which will be taught at noon on Saturday of War Practice in the Bath House).  This has been a very fun project so far and I look forward to continue building it over the years.

While buying swatches, I also, finally purchased some silks from Sator.  This European vendor is known for their historical reproduction silks, which, I can now say from experience, are quite lovely. 

The silks typically fall into two categories.  One is in the $35 price range, and is a silk warp with a rayon weft.  This cloth is about 30 inches wide.  I got two of this type, one is the green with the lions which is based on a 9th century Byzantine cloth and the other is red with birds and is based on an 11th century textile.  The other two pieces are 100% silk and 55 inches wide.  They are also about twice the price of the silk/rayon, but you actually almost twice the fabric.  The purple is a lampas fabric that is based on 11th century and the blue and wine is based on a 12th century pattern.

I am very, very pleased with these fabrics.  Even though I am, for the most part, cutting it into narrow strips, I think these better reflect the type of designs available in the Viking age than some of the sari silks I have used in the past.

Sartor also has some very, very nice linens.  Particularly the herringbone linens.  They are quite fine and drape beautifully.  While there are no colored herringbone linen textiles from the Viking age (that I am aware of), these could make a lovely substitute for wools for hot weather garments.

http://www.sartor.cz/74-new-historical-textiles