Calontir Clothing Challenge: Set Up

So...2020, man. It's been a ride.

When we initially went into self imposed isolation in March, one of the "trying to make lemonade from lemons" thoughts I initially had was, "Think of all the projects I'll finish!".

And then all of my sewing mojo decided to quarantine somewhere else. Away from me. Far, far, FAR away.

I had nothing. No creativity. No desire. Nothing. Things I needed to do piled up. Things I wanted to do also piled up. It was a mess.

Months later, someone shared the Calontir Clothing Challenge with an Æthelmearc A&S board and...I felt excited. For the first time in seven months. It's four months long! It's a competition! I can make Viking!

I waffled a lot between whether I wanted to enter as "historical recreation" or "modern reenactment". I had everything I needed for a reenactment outfit; it had been sitting on the table for seven months, untouched. But:

1. I wanted to do something a little more challenging. Make the brain work again.

2. Photos will be taken outside in January. In northeastern Pennsylvania, that means wool. And if you're already using wool, then it might as well be accurate.

January actually gave me inspiration for my outfit. I've always thought that there's something really stark and beautiful about Norse garb when it's done very simple, plain and undyed. Taking January's color palette of gray, white, and brown, I think I'm going to add a touch of red for a little bit of color here and there.

As inspiration for the completed outfit, I found this beautiful piece by Ekaterina Savelyeva.

For my 4 layers:

Base layer:

Undyed linen dress and brown wool stockings. I thought about trying to learn how to naalbind stockings, but as third layer is going to present its own set of challenges, I thought better of it.

Undyed linen for dress

Wool flannel for stockings

Layer 2:

Dress in cream diamond twill made from Shetland wool. Trim will be bands of brown wool and card woven trim dyed with madder and walnut

Layer 3:

For my apron, I wanted to weave the fabric. The design will be a basic tabby. The warp will be made from strong, hairy, Karakul fleece and the weft from a softer Shetland mix. I spun the Karakul in the mill last week (I know, ahead of the start of the competition, but as it's our business as well, I needed to make things work around our production schedule). The Shetland will be spun later this week.

Layer 4:

Accessories!

For jewelry, I think I'm going stay very simple. I'll just be making a carnelian and crystal necklace.

I'll be making a very simple hair scarf (basic rectangle), hopefully with a trim band to hold it in place.

I'm hoping to be able to weave a two tone shawl in brown and gray like the one in the inspiration photo. I spun the yarn for that awhile ago and it's been waiting in the stash.

For the big, judged, "different medium" accessory, I want to make a brass trimmed sheath for the knife I want to hang from my brooches. Years ago, Adam made me a little camp knife with a yak bone handle from one of my favorite yaks that had passed. I have never had a good way to wear it so that it's handy, so this seems like the perfect opportunity.

If time, I'd like to weave a simple belt to finish things off.

Ideally, everything would be woven on a warp weighted loom for Maximum Historical Accuracy. However, the wheelchair makes that style of loom difficult- so far I haven't found an effective way to use one while seated (beating upwards is hard on the shoulders and it's difficult to keep things smooth and even when you're going over your head). My plan is to use a rigid heddle loom instead.

I already have many brooch options to finish the accessories and a pair of shoes that I made years ago, so that should round out the ensemble!