This is a bit of a tough time of year. The festivities of the harvest and winter holidays have come to an end. The new year has come and gone. For many,…
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A Little History of Mary/Marlowe Elizabethan & Jacobean Shoes
Anyone who has ventured down the Renaissance Rabbit Hole has at some point run into The Shoe Problemā¢. What the heck did the Tudors, Elizabethans, and Stuarts wear upon their feet? And…
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All About the New 16th c. “Tudor” Exclusives
It’s been *ages* in prototyping the new Tudor shoes, but they’re finally done! This has been an interesting project, one with many challenges. The first was sorting out the design. After discussion…
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Studying Up on Tudor Footwear
Mary Rose Shoes – via Tudor shoes are old. They’re about as old as we get for extant shoes, with the exception of a very few Medieval examples. It’s quite extraordinary, really,…
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“Virginia” Renaissance Shoes GIVEAWAY!
Today’s the day, my darling dears – “Virginia,” our new Renaissance shoe, has opened for pre-order, which also means it’s giveaway time! Here’s the lo-down on Virginia: All-leather construction: upper, lining, sole…
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How One Fugly Loafer Became the Gorgeous “Virginia” Renaissance Shoe
The development story of our new “Virginia” Renaissance shoes is rather a long one (but I’ll keep it short, with lots of pictures, promise!). We’ve been working on the design since March,…
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A Quick Look At Late Elizabethan/Early Jacobean Shoes
Today we kick off a series on European footwear at the end of Elizabeth I’s reign, and beginning of James I’s, culminating on Friday with the pre-order release of our latest early-period…
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On Location at Bacon’s Castle – Journey to the 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries
The Lady of Portland House shines in “Antoinette” Mules in blue While I was in Virginia this past March, I had the opportunity to work with some truly wonderful ladies at a…
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Ladies’ Elizabethan Separates Explored
Last time, I was musing over trim styles on doublets, but towards the end of that post I realized that perhaps the design I had in mind was a “fair-ism,” something that…
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Elizabethan Doublet Trimming Ideas
Diane d’Andouins by Etienne Dumonstier Earlier this year, when I was feverishly sewing for Colonial Williamsburg, I put together a quick test bodice in some russet velveteen. It was just to test…
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My Annual Sewing Rut
Once again, I have absolutely no motivation to make a single stitch of anything lately. I’ve learned that this is quite normal, and that if I force the issue I’ll regret it.…
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Elizabethan Costume Modeling at Nevada Museum of Art
This past weekend I modeled again for the painting class at the Nevada Museum of Art. It’s quite an enjoyable experience, even though sitting still for 3 hours is difficult. I enjoy…
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Introducing “Stratford” Elizabethan Shoes for Men and Women
I’m so happy to present to you “Stratford” Elizabethan Shoes, the product of blood, sweat, tears, and a great collaboration with Francis C. Classe, an excellent historical cordwainer (shoemaker) and footwear historian.…
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Chopines – Platforms of the Past
Chopines are so cool, especially when you compare them to the oh-so-modern heel-less shoes that are currently in fashion. I guess they’re not as modern as they think. š Via How do…
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A Trip to Valhalla Renaissance Faire, 2013
This past weekend was one of many festivities, one of which was the annual visit to Valhalla, our most local Renfaire. Oh Renfaire, how I love thee. A day of utter silliness…
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In Progress: Late 16th Century Doublet
Every once in awhile I go meandering off into other centuries. My love of costuming started with Elizabethan, and it is still a period I adore, though I seldom costume for it…
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V187: Those Catty Elizabethans
I just love this illustration, don’t you? Gennady Spirin. Illustration from āThe White Catā So I’ve been reading Jean Hunnisett’s Period Costume for Stage & Screen: Patterns for Women’s Dress 1500-1800, and recalling…
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V182: The Lovely Bones: Reliquary Busts of Female Saints
Last night a beautiful image popped up on my Pinterest feed … this one. Her name is not known – a companion of, or a saint herself? What do you think her…
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V155: Valhalla Renaissance Faire, 2012
Lovely courtesans, cute gig I’m back from Valhalla Renaissance Faire, at South Lake Tahoe. Yesterday was lovely, not too hot, and not snowing, lol. Here are some photos from our day… Mom…
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V154: Off to The Faire!
I’m away at Valhalla Renaissance Faire, in South Lake Tahoe, CA, to day, so I’ve left you with Ole Bess herself, until I can get back to post pictures from the day.…