Livermore Scottish Games: the Needle’s Eye
Packing for the event:
We had a successful, albeit disgustingly hot weekend up in Livermore, CA this weekend. Our group decided to try out a new theme. We portrayed a tailors shop displaying garments and actually hand sewing portions of garments on site. The goal was to demonstrate and teach about sewing in the Renaissance. I found that people were much more willing to come up and ask what I was doing when working on a beautiful gown rather than when I’m wearing it. I had tons of fun showing people people what I was up to. I was rather surprise at how many people had such great questions and how many walked *into* the tent to talk to me! I was set in the back corner with the side walls open and people popped into the talk from both the side and front of the pavilion.
It was a very relaxing and enjoyable way to interact with the patrons. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeking out interactions and took the opportunity to go out with “the Peanuts” dressed in my peasants to interact in the streets, but working on things I love and having people come up to me with genuine interest – that felt amazing.
It was nice to be out sewing purely for fun & to educate people. We even washed out linens and laid them out flat on the lawn. Boy was I impressed when the red stain on my apron came out purely from being dried on the grass! I know I’ve always been told it worked but I hadn’t done it myself. Not only did my apron and table linens appear cleaner with no soap but they came out poker straight as if I had ironed.
What a great triple digit temperature weekend! And yes, doing laundry was a great excuse to cool down.
Interesting ideas!
Bespoke Tailors Toronto
What a wonderful idea! I’ve been pondering ideas to do in the local ren-faires in my area, and this sounds like a great way to educate people, and to show off one’s fine work like yours is.
Wow! That is totally a cool idea! Are you planning to do that at more faires? I think it would be a great way to showcase your work. Let me know if you do anymore shows. Love to come see you.
Royal White Eagle is setting up as the Tailor shop at most events this year. We will be at Fair Oaks next. We were set up at Valhalla Renaissance festival this past two weekends by the way. Clint is portraying the master tailor and the rest of the shop is working on items throughout the day.
I’m currently putting together a pair of bodies for myself (corset) but apparently a bear came through the pavillion at Valhalla and dumped it in the mud. I’m getting it back and will see if I can get it clean. I can’t take “real work” to events -they have to be things showcasing different techniques & that are not for clients. And now I’ve learned, only take things that can go missing or get ruined.