The beach was great but I did want to rush back to my fabric and sewing. I even got new fabric this week!

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Continuing to look around we were shown into the collections and could view the items available. For example:

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Western Costume continued….

We were given a tour around the facility. Starting with the shop where you can find anything you might need for a project. I wouldn’t mind having one of these rooms in my house instead of running off to the store of having to order something online. But I believe the room was larger than my entire house.

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The limited tour was well worth the trip. We all hopped on a bus to go to Western costume.

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The car is not full yet:

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Packing for the event:

We had a successful, albeit disgustingly hot weekend up in Livermore, CA this weekend. Our group decided to try out a new theme. We portrayed a tailors shop displaying garments and actually hand sewing portions of garments on site. The goal was to demonstrate and teach about sewing in the Renaissance. I found that people were much more willing to come up and ask what I was doing when working on a beautiful gown rather than when I’m wearing it. (more…)

I’ve started the next portion of my Italian gown. Here is a quick preview:

The petticoat patterning for the silk fabric is 9 pieces and the linen lining 14 pieces! It was fun putting them all together. If you come by the Needle’s Eye at Livermore Scottish games this weekend I’ll be working on hemming the skirt if you want to see it in person. I’ll also be working on pulling & knotting tons of threads on my stays. I’m trying reed as boning this time around.

Milliner’s shop front window:

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We left our car at the visitor’s center and took the bus and walked the rest of the day around the historic center before hitting one of the museums. I really wish I had more than one day there So I guess I’ll be planning a trip back!

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*Nov. 9 2008 visit

I promised photos of our audience with an enactment actor playing the Duchess Elenora di Toledo back in December so here are a few from that event:

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