The purpose of Thrums, threads and thoughts for Thora is to give me a space to explore my process of learning history. As I work through new projects or read new-to-me research, I stumble across little details or wonder about the whys and wherefores.
Time flies, and the end of the "Mannen i myra" exhibition at the Tromsø University Museum draws near. I'm excited because I will be one of two guest speakers on the last Sunday, February 14, 2016.
Read MoreThis is a peek at the first spindle-full I’m spinning for the Herjolfsnes challenge hood D10606. Part of the challenge is producing my first spinning for weaving, so decisions are made on the go, allowing for experimentation.
Read MoreHow many times have I wished I had an extra hand when sewing? A hand to hold the far end of a seam or a fixed point to tie the end of a braid? More times than I can count… so I have now made one.
Read MoreAfter much consideration, I have decided to work with hood D10606 (Nörlund 78).
Read MoreI like puzzles. The greatest puzzle I play with is «How could X have been done by Thora?», where X is some little routine task or process we take for granted, like threading needles.
Read MoreAs I re-read "Woven into the Earth" (Østergård) , I am reminded of a question of practicality in conjunction with the use of hoods that has ‘troubled’ me for some time. To the point: Did women wear these hoods and, if so, how did this function in practical terms if these women wore veils?
Read MoreFriday I visited the "Mannen i myra" ("The Man from the Bog") exhibition at the University Museum in Tromsø, a very special experience for me. It is exciting to be a contributor to an exhibition centering around one of the most complete early textile finds here in the Arctic, the Skjoldehamn bog burial.
Read MoreI'd like to share two pictures from my time at Pennsic this summer, a fondly held memory as we now move into the dark half of the year here in the North. Both pictures were taken at roughly 3 AM on one of the gorgeous moonlit nights on the corner of Chei Ping Road and Brewer's.
Read MoreAt the sports store today, and I was mildly surprised at the latest in gear for the discerning ski enthusiast.
Read MoreI have decided to join the Herjolfsnes challenge on FaceBook (‘about’ information below). Many thanks to Elina for the timely initiative!
In some ways I need a new project like a hole in the head… But I have already made 5 items from the finds (2 dresses, 2 hoods and footless hosen), and these finds are a good fit for Thora in terms of timeframe and climate.
Read MoreI hate passwords. I have several at work that have to be changed on a regular basis and have restrictions requiring a combination of several features, such as minimum length, both letters and numbers, and suchlike. A real pain.
Then I had a revelation. Why not make the passwords work for me?
Read MoreThere's a new blog on More Than Cod! The purpose of Thrums, threads and thoughts for Thora is to give me a space to explore my process of learning history. As I work through new projects or read new-to-me research, I stumble across little details or wonder about the whys and wherefores. It will also be a place where I can share ideas on more practical aspects of being a reenactor.
I'd really like to encourage people to comment, make suggestions and ask questions!
Þóra Sumarliðadóttir (Thora when using standard English letters) is a fictional character I use to focus my research and practical handcrafting endeavors, a little like using Storyline method where I am both pupil and teacher accruing factual knowledge and practical experience.
Read MoreThe purpose of Thrums, threads and thoughts for Thora is to give me a space to explore my process of learning history. As I work through new projects or read new-to-me research, I stumble across little details or wonder about the whys and wherefores.
Read More
Stephen Wickler (Researcher, Tromsø University Museum) demonstrating one of the hoods prepared for the exhibition.
The Skjoldehamn find is known to many interested in Northern European textiles, and there has been much discussion about this remarkably complete find since its discovery in 1936. In this exhibition original artifacts from the find will be on display.
As a result of previous work I have done, I was pleased to be commissioned to create two replicas of the hood for an interactive portion of the exhibition. In addition, the recreation of the blanket from the find I wove in 2012 will also be part of a display allowing the public to experience these textiles first-hand.
The exhibition will be opening on September 16, 2015 at 7 PM. Information in Norwegian here.
I have recently attended the Pennsic War in AElthmeric (Pennsylvania, USA), and there are many tales to tell from the war. But first, I would like to share one of the most special moments:
At the Drachenwald court on Thursday, August 6, A.S. 50, I was awarded an Orden des Lindquistringes.
I have finally given in and started using Pinterest. There are really too many forums and interfaces available, and it is not possible to keep up with them all regardless of how interesting they may be. The choice to use Pinterest relates to provenance. I would like to make pictures and links available, while remaining respectful of intellectual property. Finding great pictures ripped out of context is so very frustrating, so I'm aiming to keep myself honest about sources.
I am particularly proud of the "Period is not perfect" board. As I have said in the description, "Examples of poor construction, errors and botched jobs in extant finds prior to the mid-17th c. It is perfectly period to have errors, quick-fixes and other examples of Less Than Perfection! Let's take heart from these and have fun using and reparing our stuff." I do hope for suggestions for this board!
My general Pinterest boards covers a range of topics, primarily related to Norwegian/Scandinavian topics, as well as links to other interesting blogs.
Go take a look and leave a comment!
For World Book Day, The Gunnerus Library of NTNU (Norwegian University of Technology and Science) in Trondheim, Norway presented the first book ordered printed in Norway: Missale Nidrosiense from 1519. This book presented the new liturgy to be used in the whole of the Archbishopric of Nidaros- which encompassed the Norwegian lands from Trøndelag and to the north. The book was printed on the orders of Archbishop of Nidaros Erik Valkendorf and was produced in Copenhagen by Master Printer Paul Reff.
(information from library website: http://www.ntnu.no/ub/missale-nidrosiense)
The Lofoten winter fisheries are just ended, and the cod is now drying on the hjell and hesje (racks). The smell? Well, as they say, it smells of money!
Soooo many options!
I am preparing for a busy sewing season. I have two major medieval events this year: DoubleWars in Southern Sweden in May, and mother-of-all-wars Pennsic XLIV in Pennsylvania, USA in July/August. Sure, I'll be watching some of the battles, but this medievalist loves the classes and window shopping that comes with collecting a hoard of our ilk for a week or so of fun!
I plan to work on serviceable clothes that finally move me forward into the 13th-early 14th centuries. This will be a learning process where I'll finally put away commercial patterns and start working from draped body blocks. What's a body block, you say? Look at the tutorials on the By My Measure blog and pursue the many excellent links. I also want to work from the skin out and pursue various options for the underpinnings and see what testing these out in the Northern Norwegian climate teaches me. So the stash has been raided and a rainbow has been brought forth. Now on to the hard decisions.... exactly what to make?!?!!
The A&S 50 challenge blogs are now populated with the previously published entries, and now there is new content being posted! First up is Gyngerbrede, and more to come during the day.
Read MorePowered by Squarespace
