Viking Fillet
Viking Fillet
In playing in the SCA, I have learned many things. One of the things that I have learned about is the various titles and "headgear" that is to be worn. There are elaborate headpieces such as coronets (which are reserved for those that have earned the rank of Baron(ess) or higher) and there are simple headpieces such as veils, wimples, fillets, etc. I learned that in the SCA when you receive your AoA, you are allowed to wear a circlet or fillet. The terms seem to conjure up different ideas. Most see the circlets as being metal or leather and a fillet is an embroidered cloth or tablet woven band. For me, it became a mush-up of the two. This started with the a trip to the California Millinary shop in downtown LA and a conversation with Baroness Ceara. She was looking for some pieces for herself and in the process we saw a round piece of Buckrahm. She then asked if I had my circlet (since I had just received my AoA) and I said, "no". She then showed me the piece and it was as if a lightbulb had occured and we both said, "you/I could embroider one." I went home that night and came up with a design and then within the week had my piece done. I am very proud of this piece and it is my goal...through some prodding of the O, so sweet Baroness Flavia, I will teach this at GWW 2013. I am currently working on my documents and will hope to post the information to this site at a later date.
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1/1/14 - It has been a long time since I sat down to write on my page. In particularly, I wrote on this page back in August, when I was trying to figure out the class that I would teach at GWW. Well, I did teach the class and it went well. I was very pleased with the class and how many people were interested in creating their own embroidered fillets. I love mine and wear it almost exclusively. I have noticed that it tends to make me stand out (as most people in the SCA do not have a circlet like mine). Because it is embroidered it fits who I am in general. I was once asked if I would like to buy an embroidery machine and my answer has always been "NO!".I prefer to do all of my embroidery by hand. It is who I am and who I have always been. It is my talent and I truly own it.
You can find the information handout on the left hand side of this page. The handout for the class was part of a kit that the students purchased (which included all that they needed to get started on their own.) I also did my best to document the fillet. This is also on the left hand side of this page. |
1/13/2013 -- Got to love some people in this world. In belonging to the SCA, I have had the oportunity to meet new people and try new things. I have always loved to embroider and in the SCA, I have found a group of people who truly appreciate what I do. Many months ago, I was with a dear friend at the garment district in LA and we went to a milinary shop, something I have never done. She was looking for some pieces to make a new head piece for one of her gorgeous dresses. While we were there we had talked about whether or not I had a circlet to wear (since I received my AOA, I am able to wear one). Well, we saw this circlet-ish frame and we jokingly said, "oh, I can embroider one." Wouldn't you know it, about 10 minutes later I walked out with the circlet in hand. The decicion was then what to put on it. After taking a few minutes to look through books that I had, I came up with the idea to do a somewhat traditional design. Many viking personas wear gold or bronze bracelets or necklaces that are braided and have dragonheads on the end. I drew up a design and transfered it onto the fabric. Within a few days, I had finished it.
Now, I have shown it to people and they have been very gracious with their compliments, however, both times that I have worn it, no one has commented on it. Well, until recently. I was wearing it 12th Night and the most gracious of ladies had come to gate and remarked on it. This lady is such the charmer that she asked me to teach a class on making the "circlet" at GWW. Now here is the dilema, do I teach the class or not? And if choose to teach the class, how do I go about it? I know that I can put a kit together and charge a fee for the class. That isn't the issue. The issue really is how to teach the class that will allow people time to work on the project and finish it. I am a person that can finish a project in a few days but others may not be that fast. So, how do I send people home with a partialy completed project and teach them how to finish it? Do I make a different pattern? Do I do a lot of the work before hand? Just not sure what to do.
Now, I have shown it to people and they have been very gracious with their compliments, however, both times that I have worn it, no one has commented on it. Well, until recently. I was wearing it 12th Night and the most gracious of ladies had come to gate and remarked on it. This lady is such the charmer that she asked me to teach a class on making the "circlet" at GWW. Now here is the dilema, do I teach the class or not? And if choose to teach the class, how do I go about it? I know that I can put a kit together and charge a fee for the class. That isn't the issue. The issue really is how to teach the class that will allow people time to work on the project and finish it. I am a person that can finish a project in a few days but others may not be that fast. So, how do I send people home with a partialy completed project and teach them how to finish it? Do I make a different pattern? Do I do a lot of the work before hand? Just not sure what to do.