May 2022 Recap: Waiting and Writing
My May goals were:
One set of Green Saya points.
Make the Fabric Stamped Saya. Because this is a larger project, I want to devote as much of my energy to it as possible.
If I have the spoons, finish the calzas and the square-fronted cofia I did not do last month.
This month started off kind of rocky: for both of my big projects (the sayas), I did not have the requisite materials! The Stamped Saya required more plastic sheeting for my pattern pieces and I had run out of ribbon to complete the ribbon designs on another set of Green Saya points. So, instead of coming out of the gate strong and tackling big projects, I had to go shopping instead.
While I was waiting for those items to arrive, I knocked out a prototype of the square fronted cap. This is an amazingly low key piece of headwear and I am a fan. This first draft has an issue with the center seam- it is noticeably wonky and off center. I think for my next iteration, I’ll do it similarly to a St. Birgitta cap, and finish the edges of the two halves, then whip stitch those together so that it lays flat and definitely centered.
Esa’s apprenticeship contract, completed just in time for her to no longer be someone’s apprentice.
The big news this month is that Esa, my apprentice sister, got elevated! Ollamh (pronounced Ollav) Esa and I have been working on a secret project for our Laurel for a little while, and you guessed it- it’s another apprenticeship contract. This one was done in the style of the Book of Kells. I used similar formatting to mine, and Esa will be getting it illuminated to give to Bea as a gift. We had Esa, Bea, and the other Laurel in our household, Master Eadric, sign both copies at her vigil and it was a lovely moment for us all. Yet again, I’m really enjoying the calligraphy/writing, and it’s a really special feeling to be able to make something that can be a gift for my chosen family. I’m also very proud of how well the slight decoration on the various capitals turned out. It’s definitely a beginner’s work, but it’s a huge stride for someone who never expected to be doing this sort of A&S.
Also for Esa’s elevation, once more, the Duke’s Powder proves its incredibly versatility. This time, I added it to jam made with black berries and currants. The warmth and pepperiness of the spice complimented the tartness and sweetness of the berries beautifully. I think it would also be very good with stone fruit, and the honey notes in those. I’m thinking my next attempt might be with apricot- either as preserves or jam.
The plastic sheeting for the Stamped Saya arrived about halfway through the month, so I began cutting that out first. As is usual for fitted garments, I employed a draping method. I started with pattern pieces that were the general shape I needed but larger, then pinned and trimmed until they were the correct size. This dress is going to have a wool lining and a linen outer fabric- rather the other way around than usual. However, I think it’s going to be a successfully supportive garment, which was my major goal. I still love the colors, and can’t wait to see how it turns out.
I completed the lining of the Stamped Saya this month, which, given the fact that most of the construction butted up against my younger sister getting married, is more than expected. I still have the outer layer to do, and the actual stamping itself, but I am confident in being able to finish it in the next month. The Green Saya materials did not arrive until very late this month, so that did not happen at all. It’s a shame, but it’s life. I will hopefully get back on that horse next month, but I’m not too rushed.
Trying on the Stamped Saya lining after I finished constructing it.
On the Persona Challenge, I continued my shopping and decision making for my belt and finally chose my items. I will begin purchasing and construction next month and I’m quite looking forward to that. I also began cataloguing the information I learned at the National Gallery of Art with Bea regarding paternosters and rosaries. This cataloguing is a much more extensive project than I expected but really illuminating. I’m at the point where if I walk away from the Persona Challenge with a research paper on paternoster/rosary styles and maybe a design for one for myself, I will consider it a success. The real challenge is going to be taking it from qualitative data (combinations of stones, finishes, icons, etc.) and turning that into quantitative, actionable data for documentation purposes.
June will be a fun month. University is my only event on the calendar for next month, but I have a full schedule of exciting classes both in person and virtual. The other projects I want to start are Persona Challenge and Persona Pentathlon related:
Finish the Stamped Saya. My hope is that I can complete the actual construction of the Stamped Saya before University, and then stamp it in the later two weeks of the month.
Begin my belt for the Persona Challenge. I’m going to start with the buckle and cord that need to be sewn in, and then move on to the chape and the mounts next.
Continue my paternoster/rosary cataloguing.
Begin recipe development for my cooked item for Persona Pentathlon. I have two fritter recipes to consider- one a sweet hazelnut and one a savory borage/chard- that I want to start practicing with.
