Location: Coeur d’Ennui, Calontir
Category/Level: Modern Recreationist/Beginner
About Catherine: I’m new to the SCA – I recently relocated from Barony of Axemoor to Coeur d’Ennui in the midst of the pandemic. I had planned to join my more experienced friends in Society for the Gulf Wars, but because of the pandemic, I’m doing my best to be active in the virtual community. I’ve been sewing off-and-on for many years, though until recently, my costumes have generally been on-offs for parades and theatrical performances, where they are not viewed up close and internal construction details aren’t as important. To that end, I’m excited to use this challenge to help me grow my technical skill and explore new historic techniques.
Her Project: My plan is for a completed outfit inspired primarily by the Hounds suit of the circa 1430 Stuttgart playing card deck. These cards reflect upper-class women in Germany (Upper Rhineland) in the early part of the 15th century. The outfit will include a chemise/hemd, gown (with detachable sleeves), and houppelande. In keeping with the playing card depictions, the outfit would likely be similar to that worn by a woman in the Queen’s service. For my fourth layer, I’ll be cooking a historic feast, hopefully using some foraged ingredients. While the outfit is not for a specific activity, as someone new to the SCA who has not yet attended any in-person events due to the pandemic, my goal is to produce a complete set of garb to show to good effect at my first event.