About This Blog

My current research obsession is centered around purses and pouches from the European Middle Ages, and the accompanying hardware and passementerie. It is my hope to not only study extant items but also learn via reconstructive experiments; these will be limited for the most part to the textile components, however in the future I hope to explore the production of the metal frames.

03 July 2012

Blog hiatus over / Gambeson

My deepest apologies to all of my readers and followers; it's been over a year since I've posted anything of substance here. School, work, and of course my ever-increasing involvement in historical European martial arts (shameless plug: NY Historical Fencing Association / NYHFA Blog) have all conspired to keep my embroidery progress slower than a snail's pace.

I have nearly completed a rather large project, however: a gambeson based on an extant 14th century piece, but with modern amenities such as zipper and velcro closures. I say nearly complete, because it is actually functionally complete (and I've already worn it for the 2012 Longpoint longsword tournament) but there's some detail work I have left to do. The most significant of these is a hand-embroidered "TZ" monogram that will be appliquéd on the back, between the shoulder blades.


I have to give a great deal of credit and thanks to Tasha Kelly McGann of La Cotte Simple, who got me started by tailoring a pattern for me. Besides her research into grande assiette sleeves, she's also got an interest in aumônières and has pictures of a wonderfully embroidered one on her site. Just go check out her website, it's full of interesting things!

Inspiration: The Charles de Blois pourpoint
As I work on, and certainly after I finish, the embroidery for the back of my gambeson I will post new pictures! Stay tuned, and be well!