Challenge

Well I'm making progress on my challenge! I've finally acquired all the fabric I need and have begun working on the cloaks themselves! I've got the wool all cut out. I have both suns and moons cut out as well. I got the first sun pinned on the first cloak last night! Take a look!


How is everyone else doing on their challenge?
Cheers,
Jahanara

More Sleeve Progress

Wow! I've been on a real binge lately! I can't believe I managed to get all the green filled in at last! I'm 2/3rds the way there now! I did so much embroidery this week that even after two nights rest my bicep still hurts! All well it's worth it. I really hope to have this done for Yule Ball and a lot of progress done on the ID Viceregal cloaks. Most days I wish I could stay home from work and just craft! Ah well such is life. I'd appreciate any comments.

Namaste,
Jahanara

New Research Notes Posted

I've just added another page of notes from my visits to the Victoria & Albert Textile Study Room. This page focuses on 7th C Persian textiles, with a few earlier pieces.
These notes can be found on my website .

I hope many of you find this information interesting.

Namaste,
Jahanara

Sleeve Progress

I've been working right along on my 2nd sleeve cuff. I showed the first sleeve to some friends who were over Sunday night and the difference in my embroidery ability really shows in these two sleeves! The one that is already complete used to look really good, now compared to the one that is in progress, it looks OK. As I've already done the "first" one twice, I don't think I'll be redoing it yet again. I'll just let this garment be a living testament to the growth in my embroidery skill!

Here's the one in progress (half way there!):

Pennsic Gift Basket 2009

It is time to start thinking about how we can, as a group or individually, contribute to the Gift Basket that our Royals will exchange with another Kingdom at Pennsic! I have offered to coordinate the ID efforts and pass along updates to Mistress Kathryn. I would love to see members of this group working together to create items that highlight this group’s skills.

This may be an item where the thread is all hand spun by one person, dyed by another and then woven by a third! You could also make some gloves, as Mistress Kathryn suggested. The gloves could be embroidered by one our members and sewn by another! There are many interesting possibilities.

If you plan to contribute to the gift basket please let me know! Any items completed and delivered by Double Wars will be displayed that week. As you plan your projects, please keep in mind that these things need to fit in the stringent luggage requirements! If you have an idea, but would like opinions on it’s suitability, please post your idea to the blog!

Namaste,

Jahanara

Challenge Update

Greetings IDFAIG!
I have finally acquired all the materials I need for my challenge item. I have some lovely black and blue wool and gorgeous yellow linen. I will be making some warm winter cloaks for the ID Viceregal Couple. These are not meant to replace the lovely brocade cloaks, just to give a warmer option for cold days/nights.

I have the cloaks cut out, and the sun template made. I hope to get the suns cut out and begin appliqueing them on this weekend after Kingdom University. I hope to see many of you there. I will only be day tripping, and will spend much of my time in the 3 weaving related classes!

Namaste,
Jahanara

Tapestry Weaving Weekend Invitation

You are invited to the “House of Many Looms” for a 2-day intensive
Tapestry Weaving Workshop! We will begin, Friday evening, with a basic
discussion of weaving including the different weaving methods and when
and where each was used. Followed by a hands-on sessions on Saturday
during which you will focus on the basic Tapestry Weaving techniques. I
have already warped each of my large looms. There are also student looms
that you may use for your own projects and can take with you. We will
also hold evening discussions regarding weaving techniques and you’ll
have the opportunity to ask your fellow weavers questions. For those who
are brand new to weaving a Weaving Basics document will be provided in
advance to help you learn basic weaving vocabulary (please request this
in your RSVP if you need it). This will allow us to get right to the
hands on sessions!
I also have inkle looms, tablet looms, a two 4-harness table looms
(which will be warped for tapestry weaving), a 4-harness floor loom and
an 8-harness loom. Now I obviously can not be working on all these looms
at once, so I invite you to come use them.
When will this workshop take place you ask? 30 Jan. – 1 Feb.
Intensive Sessions:
Hands On Sessions
• Tapestry weaving- 2 looms ready to go, there will be a cartoon to
follow and weft threads at the ready! There will also be 9 cardboard
student looms for individual take home projects.
• Weaving ‘Round the Table: This will be an evening discussion on
weaving, bring thoughts, questions and answers!

Proposed Schedule:
Friday
• Arrivals & Diner!

Saturday
• Breakfast
• Intensive Sessions:
Tapestry Basics & History
Project Planning
Project Implementation
• Break for Lunch- feel free to break for coffee/tea/beverages as you
wish throughout the day.
• Hands-on Sessions Continue
• Dinner
• Weaving ‘Round the Table

Sunday- departures as necessary
• Breakfast
• Hands-on Sessions Continued
• Break for Lunch
• Hands-on Sessions Continue
• Dinner- Weaving ‘Round the Table Continued

Where? Contact Jahanara for details.

What should I bring? Yourself and any weaving projects you wish to work
on, or for which you need help and advice.

How many people can attend? Due to the nature of this workshop, there
will be a 7 student limit. We have beds for 6, if people don’t mind
sharing the two double beds. We also have plenty of other crash space on
couches and the floor. So please RSVP early to guarantee a bed!

Please RSVP by 15 Jan. 2009
RSVP’s should include the following information
Approximate Arrival Time
Preferred Train Station (If traveling by train)/ Pick up arrangements.


Suggestions/Request/Items you would like help with during the workshop

Newsletter - Insulae Draconis Fibre Arts Interest Group - November 2008

Greetings to Everyone,

Kingdom University is almost upon us and there is a nice selection of Fibre-related classes on offer including Tapestry Weaving and Rigid Heddle Weaving, Costuming, Woven garment edgings and embroidery. I am sure that those attending will learn a lot and those teaching will be equally rewarded. For those not yet aware of the classes, the list is here: http://www.westdragonshire.org/Events/KU2008/KU-classes.htm . For those still undecided whether to teach a class at the First ID University in the Spring, why not use this as an opportunity to see the various ways in which classes can be taught.

News:
If anyone missed the chance to visit the Living History Fair on the first weekend of November remember that there is another one on the weekend after Kingdom University. The Original Re-enactor’s market will take place on the 14th, 15th and 16th November: http://www.reenactorsmarket.co.uk/

The ID MOAS Jahanarabanu Vivana will be running a Tapestry weaving weekend at her home in Newmarket on the 30th Jan – 1st February. This has a 7 student limit, so please contact her as early as possible to book your slot. If you missed the email announcement, please contact her on moas@insulaedraconis.org for more information.

The new Janet Arnold book is finally published and available for purchase. All those interested in 16th century underwear and accessories should find this book of great value.

The Medieval Archaeology Journal have published their back issues on the Archaeology Data service website. The journal was first published in 1957. These scanned copies include papers and articles on subjects such as “Early Anglo-Saxon Gold Braids”, “Horizontal Loom at Novgorod” and the enticing “Haberget: A Medieval Textile Conundrum”. The online journals are free to access for personal and educational use and the portal can be found here http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/

Request for Input:
This is your newsletter and a way of disseminating information. It would be great if people would like to do short book reviews or a paragraph or two on any other fibre-related subject that they would like to write about. Alternatively if you have a snippet of news of interest to the group, or have seen something fantastic in a museum or stately home, please share! Please email me by the 1st of every month.

IDFAIG Advert:
Below is the image going into the Baelfyr to raise the profile of the group. At the moment it just has a generic image as we do not have our own device or anything of that nature. It will start running in the December Baelfyr, so if anyone has any comments or objections, please let me know as soon as possible.



Yours in Fibre Happiness,
Melisende
IDFAIG Group Leader

Call for Teachers ID University

Greetings unto the ID Fibre Arts Interest Group,

I am writing to ask each of you to teach at the First Insulae Draconis University. The University will be held in conjunction with March Protectors. I already have many fine instructors scheduled, but still have 20 class slot available.

IDU will be held 20-22 March in the Shire of Flintheath. More information on this event can be found at http://www.flintheath.com/Protectors09.pdf. This historic event will provide us an opportunity to see our new Protectors and increase our own learning. HOwever we will only be able to increase our knowledge if there are artisans who are willing to share their own knowledge.

This is a great opportunity for you to help increase the Artistic Prowess of our splendid Crown Principality. If you are interested in teaching, please contact me.

Yours In Service,
Jahanarabanu Vivana