New year and new post

Well it is a new year and my New Year's resolution is to post every other week things that I am working on.  I have been very lacked in that respect.  So to catch up I will post some things that I have been doing.  I have attending demos and built a new bread oven as well.  Made more hats and currently working on some hood and clothing.  

Happy New Year Everyone!  

Playing with dough.....playdough that is

As I was passing through the hall I heard Isabelle say, "Elizabeth, look at my clay oven".  I took a peak in the room and saw she was making a clay oven out of playdough.  I told her when she finished to come and get me so I could see it.  A few minutes later she called me and and said "Here is the door mommy it even has a handle".  She made it to look just like our oven door.  To think, my daughter is building a clay oven, something she learned, a piece of history, really something that changed the way people lived and ate for centuries and she is playing with the concept right now.  I just got called for the finished project, she was so excited.  She opened the door and jumped up and down and said, "I even put a little fire in there".  That is really awesome! I will post some pics later.

Getting cold....here's your Birka cap

I love the black stitching on this red wool four panel Birka cap.  It really stands out.  Although it might look like Ric-rac trim it's actually a period herringbone stitch on the seams.

The Birka cap is hand-sewn and the red wool is felted and holds it's shape so well.  I did line this cap with a black linen fabric also hand stitched.  

The coloring in the fur really complements the red wool and the black period herringbone stitching really well I think.  The class to for creating this simple style of hat is posted on the blog. 

Going Viking....

Vikings have invaded my home again.  In the previous couple of weeks I have been working on a three panel apron dress.  I have never made a three panel before but know the do exist.  So, not that this was a challenge, because I have made several four panel dresses but it was something new and different which is always a good thing.  I really like the color of the wool and it was soft to the hand and light enough to layer. 

The stitching came out nice and neat.  And the gores and seams I used a simple running stitch and a herringbone stitch along the top.  

 The only problem....it's a little too big!  And I don't mean the stitches.  The dress needs to be taken in two or three inches so I will be taking out the top stitching and the seam stitching and taking it in the back and from seams, then re-stitching.  Good thing I am somewhat fast with hand stitches (simple stitches) and I love to hand sew. 

Butter churning beauties.....

The girls really enjoyed teacher butter making during my bread class.  This was the third time the taught butter making.  Although, they were a little more shy this time.  The butter did get made though and enjoyed with the rolls made during class. 

This picture was actually taken at a demo we were doing in June.  The girls look so cute with there smocked aprons and there head wraps.  They wanted to look just like Mommy.  

A closeup on the churn  You can see one of the little three legged stools in the back ground their Daddy made them.  

  Here is a closer look at the stool.  They are the perfect height and the girls just love them!

From Clay to Bread class

Many people have asked for a copy the class I recently taught on the Medieval Bread Oven so I have included it here on my blog.  The class can be found on the right hand side as a link to on the blog itself.  Enjoy!

 

From clay to bread 

Recreating a period clay oven and using it

 By Duchess Ilish O’Donovan