Greetings to all weavers, dyers, tailors, spinners, and textile workers of all persuasions!
The eighteenth annual FFF will be held online, on its usual day of November 21, 2020. While we can’t bring you fighting, fencing, fishing, or feasting, we are planning for a day filled with fiber, fabric, and fun.
We are seeking Zoom-friendly classes on all aspects of textiles and clothing, from spinning the fiber to weaving the cloth, to embellishing the fabric, and constructing the garments (bonus points for things I've never even thought of).
If you are interested in teaching, please fill out this google form for each class you’d like to offer: https://forms.gle/7ACzh6VL2H7deFwS8
Registration is now available at: https://forms.gle/89Y32EBQksV5ER786
All participants will receive a schedule with Zoom links several days before the event. The schedule is nearly final.
We are working on plans for displays, for a virtual library, and for online space for the socializing and serendipity that make FFF what it is. Details will be provided to registered attendees.
For those of you new to the online world, here is a brief guide on taking classes in Zoom.
Knitting
How to Read a Knitting Pattern
Mistress Irene von Schmetterling, Æthelmearc
This class is for the new knitter. We will cover how to read a knitting pattern and how to interpret both written and charted instructions. Students may find it helpful to have knitting needles and yarn at hand to make samples and practice.
Weaving
Setting up a Warp Weighted loom
goodwif Jhone Woodcott, Ealdoŕmere
Setting up a Warp on a Warp Weighted loom. Hints and tips to get a better weave. How to warp for twill. How to weave the header band. Or just a q and a, open discussion, if everyone already knows the basics.
Clothing
Japanese Dressing
THL Oribe Tsukime and Lord Tatsukawa Gentarou Chisato, Æthelmearc
This class discusses techniques for dressing in medieval Japanese clothing, covering the most common male and female variants from the underwear out. Learn how to correctly knot a belt, style your hair, tuck your garments up for work, and more.
Medieval & Renaissance Textile Images
Baroness Alexis MacAlister, OL, OP, Trimaris
This class is an overview of color images of extant textiles from the medieval and renaissance periods.
Men's clothing at the French Court: 1490 - 1547
Maistresse Marguerite d'Honfleur, Æthelmearc
This class provides an overview of what was worn by French men during the reign of the kings Charles VIII, Louis XII, and François I. The primary focus is on men of the aristocracy, though some mention of those in the working classes will also be provided. Copies of the handout can be obtained by request.
Needlework
Introduction to Medieval Islamic Counted Thread Embroidery
HL Ӕlfswyð þe Gyldenfeax, An Tir
Nearly a century ago, a remarkable trove of medieval textiles surfaced in Egypt, which included garments, household items, and samplers. Many of these were patterned with one of two styles of counted stitch embroidery. Start your own sampler by practicing examples of both types. If you wish to follow along, please bring:
evenweave fabric--such as Aida cloth 18-count (finer or larger depending on personal preference is also fine)
embroidery floss--dark indigo blue is most common in the historic examples, followed by a dark brick red. Dark brown and dark green are also found. Or feel free to embrace the "Creative" part of SCA and pick whatever strikes your fancy.
"tapestry" embroidery needle (i.e. rounded tip)--size 20 suggested scissors/snips
optional: embroidery hoop
Using Drawn Thread Work to Embellish Chemises
Mistress Arrienne Ashford, Middle
How I create the open work trim on Italian chemises such as that shown in ‘Portrait of a Young Woman’ by Domenico Ghirlandalo c. 1490 using drawn thread work and buttonhole stitch. I was able to use drawn thread work and buttonhole stitch to replicate the trim I saw on this portrait. Mainly I will demonstrate using some linen on Zoom. I will be using linen fabric, 120/2 linen thread, a needle and scissors. If you can get these things, you can try it along with me.
Dyes and Pigments
Dyeing without Dying: An Introduction to Natural Dyes
Lady Ealawynn Maeru, alias Ela, Atlantia
In this introductory class, we will briefly cover the history of natural dyes before discussing basic instructions for dyeing fleece, yarn, and fabric. The historical section will focus on madder, weld, and woad, but will also mention kermes, cochineal, murex, and indigo. The dyeing discussion will focus on madder, weld, indigo, and cochineal. This class will be significantly informed by an in-progress year-long natural dye fade test as well as more recent experiments by the teacher.
Friends or Foes? Period Pigments and How to Get Them to Play Nicely
Kit, Atlantia
This is a ramble about period pigments and the period palette. The chemistry and physics that interact with them makes some best friends and others worst enemies. This will roll around period color theory, Theophilus and Cenninni, and whatever you ask about that I know enough to brain dump about.
Colors: Medieval and Modern -- A Discussion
Baroness Fiadnata ó Gleann Àlainn, Middle Kingdom
Let's talk about the medieval color sense, and our modern colors. How did a medieval person describe the colors they could see? How much variation in color do we see, and how do we describe that variation? Do we have a "different" sense for color now? Let's see what we can discern.
Spinning
Introduction to Plying Yarn
THL Glenna Cholmondeley, Æthelmearc
This class will explore two methods for plying yarn that come from traditional spindle culture (one drop spindle, one support spindle). Extant examples of plied yarn can be found from the bronze age and probably before. Please bring a spindle and yarn singles (two or more small balls) if you want to practice. This is a perfect class for beginners.
Introduction to Drop Spindle
THL Glenna Cholmondely, Æthelmearc
This is a beginning or refresher course on using a drop spindle, a tool used for spinning yarn throughout the SCA period. Please bring your own spindles and fiber if you want to practice, or you can audit the class if you like.
Braiding
Three-strand Fingerloop Braiding
Antoinette DeLorraine, Æthelmearc
This class will go over how to set up for basic 3 strand braiding. This is specifically designed for those new to the braid, but is open to all experience levels.
Other topics
The Thing's the Thing: Research, Reflection, Replication
Mistress Phiala O'Ceallaigh, Æthelmearc
So you want to make a Thing. Where to start? What to consider? How to research, plan, and implement a recreation project. I'll be using a fiber arts example (of course), but the concepts and processes are widely applicable. Bring your ideas, experiences, and questions for discussion.
A Fiber Arts Reference Library
Baroness Fiadnata ó Gleann Àlainn, OP, Middle Kingdom
Let's discuss a project I'd like to take up: creating a group library/listing of fiber arts books for those of us who are a part of the Pennsic Fiber Arts Pavilion, so that researchers looking for information from a particular book can check the list and contact the owner(s) of that book. The current discussion will center on which software/site to use, and who is willing to help with what aspect. Bring your ideas and interests -- I'm sure we'll find a way to use all of them!
Martial Activities
Defensive Concepts for Buckler
Sir Timothy, Æthelmearc
This class will analyze the areas you NEED to defend based on where your opponent can strike. While taught with buckler, it is applicable to any heavy weapon form.
Longsword Technique and Footwork
Duke Dietrich von Stroheim, Trimaris
A beginner-to-intermediate longsword class, applicable to armored combat and Cut-and-thrust, that teaches a series of footwork concepts and sword techniques with a basis in the works of Johannes Lichtenauer, Hans Talhoffer, and Japanese Kenjutsu.
Participants are encouraged to bring a longsword, if they are able to follow along without wrecking havoc in their home offices.
Art of Rapier: Basics to Fantasy in Film
THL Deirdre Kildare, Æthelmearc
A series of short but informative videos by Dr. Ken Mondschein. Interactive discussion encouraged.
How to Run a Solo Practice
THL Deirdre Kildare, Æthelmearc
Panel discussion on training when you can't gather, with Don Cyrus Augur, Mistress Irene von Schmetterling, and Lord Chaghagan Ghunan.