Lilies tailor shop demo

2007 Tailor shop demo held at the Lilies War XXI.

The Lilies Tailor Shop had it's third year at the Lilies War XXI. This on site demo expanded to encompass 5 days of hands on learning for gentles attending the War. The shop ran Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. The Fabric was all cut on Sunday so that work could begin early on Monday. This project set out to use as many period tools as possible as well as operate with a period atmosphere. I'll try to get pictures up of the period style scissors we had made, that cut through four layers of linen like butter. Besides sewing, we had 4 classes available each day in the back of the tent. 214 attendants were counted over the week for the classes, and 34 people helped sew on the garments.

Original Inspiration for this year's Tailor Shop was taken from the Devonshire Hunt Tapestries. The Tapestries are from the Netherlands in the 15th century. For His Majesty we went with an 8 panel houpelande with bag sleeves. For Her Majesty we started with a fitted Cote, but instead of a houpelande, we want with a side-less surcote. Side-less were still worn by royalty in the 15th century, and though not found in the Devonshire Tapestries was requested by Her Majesty. (*note* we did come across a houpelande (there is also a picture in woven into the earth with a man wearing his cote like that) worn open as His Majesty is wearing, unfortunately we didn't save were it was.) Due to the high humidity and temperature during court, we did not have him button it up.

Her Shirt