(no subject)

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I was at the library on the computer but apparently didn't think to post here.  They were normal days of activity until Thursday when I ceased procratinating and started gathering up materials for the competition, packing up the van and readying the camper.  Friday the first of the tile was laid in the laundry room and at one Cat and I got on the road and arrived early on site to place the camper near an outlet and unload our sewing gear.  Shandra had three teams signed up and we talked Killian into being a fourth as a solo.  I had the only full team with Cat, Kate, Isabeau and Carlos.  Others were Ann and her son (her second event, his first) doing early 13th century, Maisie doing late period Scots and Killian (who came down sick and left Saturday morning).  So Friday at 7pm the competition began.  I started Cat with the giornea, Kate divided the linen for the cammisa which Carlos serged all the raw edges, and Isabeau began drafting the bodice of the gammura.  Subsequently I set Kate to drafting the sleaves and Carlos made the pocket.  Once Isabeau had assembled a mock-up of the bodice (to be finished later myself and which I can use for a 'day-dress') she commenced on the painted velvet bodice of the actual gammura.  Between sessions of being measured and fitted I cut and applied a 2" strip of __ to the edge of the painted velvet yardage for the cartridge pleat header.  By midnight we had made excellent progress and I suggested we get a full night's rest.  I stayed a little longer and made my black linen and gold mesh cap and a red brocade 'cockade' which I decided not to use.  I headed to bed at 1am.  Saturday morning by 9 we were breakfasted and back at work.  Kate finished the machine work on the sleaves and commenced on the cammisa construction.  When Isabeau was finished with the bodice just before noon I started applying the skirt.  Cat had finished the machine work and pressing the giornea and she and Isabeau hand stitched the narrow area on the sides closed and hemmed it.  At four-thirty I machined hemmed the selvedge up on the skirt and Kate machine hemmed the cammisa.  The armpit gussets are still to do on the cammisa and the gammura needs eyelets for the lacing.  At five the pocket, cap, sleaves and giornea were done, the rest were at least 'demonstratable'.  We got me into the lovely ensemble (the sleaves are a bit snug) and faced the judging.  All went very well.  I didn't stammer.  A little light joking was involved.  "I've never had minions in my life.  I LIKE it!!"  And when all was said and done, I'd WON!  I think I was channeling Sash 'cause the delegating went smoothly and we all got along well.  The team is discussing doing it again next year with Elizabethan for Kate.  Isabeau wants to do German when its her turn and I think we can keep it up long enough for everyone to get clothed.

(no subject)

Sunday I was sore from all those cartridge pleats and maneuvering that big chunk of velvet.  I would have been glad to skip the baronial archery but knowing Isabeau and Carlos were probably tired too but they couldn't skip it (he's the previous champion) got me up and going albeit not until mid afternoon.  It was a pretty day for it though and it was fun to report to Their Excellencies on the Golden Needle results whereupon the newest member (why can't I remember her name?) wanted details.  I think she'll probably contrive to be on a team next year she's so interested.  Court and potluck occurred and I slipped away before load-up as I had gaming at Theron's where we got the wagon repaired and smashed Ghouls into oblivian.  We think the caravan and it's master have abandoned us and it's several days farther to our destination than he'd indicated.  Gnancy has discovered her 'sneak attack' ability and put it to use to good use.  I need to be more thorough in my notations.  At the sewing table tonight I continue pressing duos and pairing them up as I go for the next run of stitching.