Sewing: I started learning to sew as a young girl next to my grandmother. I remember using her old treadle machine to sew doll clothes together (they were TERRIBLE!). This gave me a love of the skill that later I decided to pursue. When I joined an organization that included wearing medieval & Renaissance clothing, I decided it was time to learn in earnest. My boyfriend at the time was fair at constructing basic clothing and taught me to use his machine. One of the first things I did, though, was an evening dress for a Christmas party that I still have, though I no longer fit into it. I was very proud of how it came out. Since then, I have learned to design my own Tudor dresses, and have taught others to sew, as well. I have made clothes for work, for children, and for pay. I prefer the costumes, though. They are so much more fun! Below is a dress that I designed and sewed, along with the French hood.
Knitting: I only recently started knitting, but I have enjoyed it immensely. I once thought that I would never be able to learn, but a friend of mine was determined to make it happen. By the end of my visit with her, I had two scarves to take home, along with a new skill! I have made gifts for my friends and family. For myself, I have experimented with socks and washrags. I love the feel of soft threads and the fabrics I can create while I travel.
Cross Stitch: I have been doing cross stitch for almost 15 years. I had trouble finding interesting embroidery designs, so I picked this up as an alternative. My first attempt was to try something very simple to learn the process, but I could not seem to get it right. Soon, however, I was trying again, only with something much more difficult. I began the image in the wrong direction on the cloth, forcing me to redesign the image to fit in the available space. This taught me a great deal about the craft. Now, I enjoy doing complex and interesting designs by well-known artists, and even creating some of my own.
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