Winter Garb Test Run

Since the Northern Outpost Winter Romp was cancelled we decided to test our winter garb at the local conservation area. Not many people there though one couple thought we were there to murder them, one lady (feeding Chickadees from her hands) didn't bat an eyelash, and one gentlemen interrupted his phone call to ask us what we were doing in costume. I thin this would make an awesome place for a winter demo/ half day event.

Weather was -10ºC with a -15º windchill and it was sunny. We hiked 1.3 km without snowshoes or skis. The trails had previously been broken by other hiders but I found it easier walking in the unbroken areas with my wool boots and leather overshoes. As I get older I definitely find I need more arch support than what turn shoes provide.

I was wearing linen pants and tunic, a thin wool tunic, thin wool pants, wool nalbound socks, a thin wool kaftan, wool nalbound mittens, wool hood, and a wool cloak (double over the back area). On my feet I also had two layers of blanket wool turn shoe boots and leather ankle high turn shoes. The leather boots were treated with beeswax paste and allow to dry for three or four days.

I was perfectly warm, my feet perfectly dry. In fact, once we got into the trees and the wind was mostly blocked I got hot enough to throw back my hood and take off my mittens. I stomped in a water puddle in the parking lot just to test my waterproofing and it worked a charm. No water seeped through the seams or soaked through the leather. The wool boots repelled any water that splashed above the leather over shoes. Slogging through water or slush all day would be uncomfortable but the occasional puddle is no problem.

The only thing I felt lacking was face coverage, especially in the wind. So a scarf of some nature is in order for windy days. I think for sunny days it would be smart to make some snow goggles to cut down on the glare. My ears were a little cold under the thin wool hood so for harsher and longer outings a thicker hood may be in order.

With this garb I can confidently say I can handle a full day 10am to 4pm in -10º to -15º C weather. Any warmer and I will have to drop a layer of wool, my tunic. Any colder and I will need thicker wool garb.

Costuming: Basic Tunics

 I've started several new pieces these last few weeks. Mostly I have been working on custom sewing for other people but there has been the occasional nalbound pieces including mittens, slippers, and hats. I plan to make more detailed entries for the nalbinding at a later date. I must admit that after hand sewing my own pants a few months ago, I truly appreciate the speed and precision of the sewing machine.

The scarlet tunic on the left is an archers tunic based on 13th C French over tunics. The person asked for short sleeves and the keyhole for the neckline.

The next is a very light weight charcoal wool made in a very similar style to the last one but the arms were left long and the sleeves were belled to more closely reflect the image of the original in the costume books. It was made for a young man who is very tall and quite thin.

As you can see from the model it fits someone heavier than the intended recipient. To correct this problem I sewed a dart from the beginning of the split up to the neckline on both the front and back seams. By the time I reached the neckline the dart was over two inches, removing a total of 5 inches from the chest area of the tunic. Prof that mistakes can be correctly without starting over or making ugly alterations.