Cross tree headdress – Veil work in progress

Wearing my Cross Tree Headdress

In a previous post I showed the steps of making my own Cross Tree headdress, and in this post I’ll be looking at the veil.

When I first looked at the effigies and monumental brasses, I thought that it was possible that the veil was a heavier fabric, and pleated, with a frill at the front edge of Countess Beatrice of Portugal’s Cross Tree Headdress. However as I started to make my own interpretation, I decided against this, and explored other options.

So far in my searching I’ve also seen the cross-tree headdress referred to as a reticulated headdress as well, but I’ll be referring to it mostly as a Cross Tree headdress, largely for my own searchability when I come back to this post later…

Finnish Iron Age silver basket headdress – Finished Karelian headpiece

Selfie wearing my version of the silver Finnish Iron Age basket headdress/tiara

After sharing my initial research as well as my  work in progress about the “basket” headdress also known as the Karelian headpiece or in Finnish – sykerö (tiara), finally I’m ready to share the finished version of this headpiece.

In these photos I have looped a narrow band of tablet weaving (that I purchased) through the ribbon loops on the headpiece to secure it. I have a narrow band of linen over my hair to protect it from getting snagged by the wires, and over it have a linen veil  which I’ve just simply pinned at the back.

Pearl Trimmed Draped Reta

pearl embellished Italian renaissance headwear

This is a follow up post from my Draped Reta (Italian Renaissance headwear) post from a few days ago. In that post I showed the first draped reta, made using the digital embroidery machine. I mentioned there that I had actually made two – this is the second, much more elaborate, and embellished with small faux pearls.

To see more about the inspiration, and basic design and construction process, please go back to the Draped Reta post first.

Historical Sew Monthly – 2024

Jupe Courtisane skirt pattern

With all of the laser cut, purse, and Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) projects I’ve been doing over the past year (not to mention an entire wardrobe’s worth of draped-front neckline dresses and tops) it’s no surprise that I hardly made a dent at all in the 2023 Historical Sew Monthly challenges.

However, just like so many people as the new year rolls around, I’m filled with hope for what kind of sewing and costuming (time management, inspiration… etc) I’ll be doing for the oncoming year. With the maker space I’ve been going to for years now essentially closed to me for 2024, this also means I’ll be doing far, far, far fewer projects using the tools that I’d come to love and learn so much about over the past few years… which SHOULD (should…) leave me more time for more traditional, less high-tech projects.

Each year I DO find the themes inspiring, so once again I’m making my “wish list” post, for the challenges for 2024. The post isn’t up on the Dreamstress website (yet?) but the post with the official PDF of all the themes is here – but I’ll also chat about them below as well.

Autumn Plaid Circle Skirt

Wearing my DIY plaid circle skirt

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you might remember last year I made a few long skirts for winter and cooler weather. I love wearing these over thermal leggings, and so when I found some more heavy knit plaid fabric at the 2023 Grandmother’s Fabric Sale, I

I took the fabric, along with my pattern to the Maker Space to use their big tables (much nicer than using my living room floor!) and cut it out.  I also used their serger for the side and back seams, and to edge the hem.