May 2025: Only Panic a Little
May Goals:
Garb:
Complete the Elevation Outfit saya
Fix the Juana camisa
Complete or get close to completing the Elevation Outfit gonete
Only panic a little
The Elevation Outfit saya had to throw me a curveball first thing this month. I finished it ahead of schedule, only to go to put it on and the lacing rings were too flimsy for their role. So those all had to get pulled out and new, sturdier rings had to be ordered. Thankfully, I was able to fill time with the camisa work and that was mostly done several days ahead of schedule, allowing me to get the saya completed in short order.
Patterning the Not Gonete for this outfit is an interesting experience. I’m not really used to making garments designed to fit to anything but my measurements, usually as supportive garments themselves. This garment is going to be specifically cut to fit over the matching saya so it has to be patterned over me in the saya to work properly. I decided to start with the bodice pattern for the saya as the base for the gonete and then scale up with just a little bit more ease. I’d like the waist lines to hit roughly in the same place so that the longer peplum can drape nicely over the beautiful drape of the saya. Given how the source image is structured, with a smooth bodice and a full peplum with obvious gathers, with the trim on the bodice stopping underneath a fabric belt, my interpretation is that it does have a waist seam, instead of being cut continuously with the peplum.
I managed to get a solid week ahead of schedule mid-month, so I started in on the Not Gonete as a full mock up muslin. I wanted to a) test the fit over the saya, b) test the new neckline shape that I’ve never done before, and c) test how wide the peplum would need to be to achieve the look I want so I can compare it to how much fabric is remaining from my fashion fabric. This head start, predictably, did not last. Trim, as it is wont to do, always seems to take longer than I expect it will. I ended up eating my head start up between construction difficulties and the sheer volume of time trim actually takes.
I did decide on what the jacket is finally. I think after some research, reading, and comparing garments, I’m calling the Elevation Outfit jacket a sayuelo instead of a gonete. That may be an artificial differentiation in my mind, but it seems to fall into a category of garments that were much more voluminous in both skirt and sleeve than the gonetes from the Pentathlon survey are. Again, may just be my brain trying to fit things neatly into boxes, but I’m adding it to the Garb Terms List.
I ended the month a bit behind where I wanted to be, but I think it’s salvageable! All in all, the outfit is going well and I will be thrilled with it no matter what happens to its final set up. I’m not sharing a ton of pics, mostly saving those for the actual elevation post, but as a sneak preview, I present the totality of the trim I had left over from the saya and sayuelo after having started with close to 10 yards total.
Mariana: 1, Trim Roulette: 0.
Evan got some new garb for the elevation that I’m really excited about and he seems to be very comfortable in- thank you Historic Enterprises!
Events this month were few for me but I had a stupendous time at Skewered! and its Mesoamerican theme and feast. Got to see some fabulous A&S and it’s always exciting to see the representation of varied and diverse cultures in the SCA.
June Goals:
Garb:
Complete the Elevation Outfit
Only panic a moderate amount
Do the thing!
