[Ravensfort] viking garb

[dankat at tca.net]

<SMOOTCH, SMOOTCH>    ;)

    Now that that is out of the way...  <grin>  Let's discuss this a 
little bit.  

    It has been at least 5 years ago that I remember reading this, so I 
cannot exactly quote the source.  However, the up shot of it was: linen 
and ramie are both bast fibers.  And in fact, they are so similar, it 
would take an actual chemical composition comparison to tell them 
apart.  Most id's of fiber from surviving garments have not gone this 
far because it would require the destrucion of some of what was left.  
Like I said...  I don't remember where I read this as it was at least 5 
years ago.  I tend to believe it has at least a bit of truth to it, 
because I have, not yet spun, processed fiber of both types in my fiber 
bucket.  There is a difference in the feel between the two types of 
fibers.  However, it is very slight.   If anyone is interested in 
checking out the samples, I would be happy to bring some with me.  

     [Laurel Hat On]  And to be honest... I could understand going the 
extra mile to get as period of fabric as you could possibly get for an 
item you were entering in say...  Kingdom A&S.  But I see NO reason to 
be that anal retentive for your "everyday" clothes.  Especially 
considering how *difficult* it is to get real linen in this part of the 
country that ISN'T some awful polyester/rayon blend crap called "Linen 
Look".  I'd really like to know just how someone is going to tell that 
you've used a linen/ramie blend or even a linen/cotton blend unless you 
confess the truth. lol  There are many different degrees of processing 
of fiber, and linen doesn't *have* to be coarsely woven.  Linen CAN be 
spun very finely, just ask me to show you.  :)  [Laurel Hat Off]

    I think this is a good time to remember... "Opinions are like a-
holes...  Everyone has one..."  <wink>

   So!  Anyone want to learn to spin?  <grin>

Fionna
   

> Absolutely great article. The information is very good. But... whichever
> reenactment group that is  from,  and it better not be SCA, that group
> can kiss my pasty white butt. "Linen/ramie and linen/cotton are
> acceptable only as first year attempts" ?!!!  If somebody wants to be
> that anal about what fabric they want me to make my garb aout of than
> they better be willing to pay for the costs of my garb. I'm all for
> being as hositorically accurate as you can be and doing the research is
> IMHO  a vital part of the SCA. But "approving" garb is going too far.
> Jacinth, please tell me that wasn't from an SCa group! Please! 
>                                     -Xanthe
> P.s. Goimg to bring any pictures of your loom to the event?
> 
> 
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