Category Archives: PIONEERS

It all started with an announcement: Russian fashion designer Valentin Yudashkin was bringing linen to the catwalk. Even bigger news was that he was considering building a new textile industry and fashion center, with linen as its centerpiece. For a designer known for flamboyant dresses and suits capped off with odd hairpieces, gaudy jewelry, accessories,…

I hear the bagpipes long before the town comes into view. A short drive from Denver into the Colorado Rockies, the small town of Estes Park has been playing host to the Longs Peak Highland Festival for 32 years. Now over 75,000 visitors descend upon this town of 6,000 for four days every September. Started…

Margaret Scott was the daughter of Scottish gentleman and Lord of Session (law lord), Sir Alexander Hope of Rankeillor .She married Patrick Scott in 1693 and went to live with him at his family seat of Rossie and Craig near Montrose, Angus. Some years later, in 1739, Margaret, by then a widow, undertook an inventory…

Sarah’s eyes twinkle as she twirls around, showing off her outfit. She is quite fetching in her full blue skirt and black bodice. “œI’m an Irish wench,” she says with a wink. She places a garland made of flowers on her head. “œMaybe someday I’ll become a lady-in-waiting, but for now being a wench is…

In the late 1600s a fontange was high fashion for ladies hair. This was a tall head-dress consisting of a wire frame (or ‘commode’) adorned with lace or linen frills. It was worn at a slight forwards angle and attached to a linen cap. In appearance it resembled a half-opened fan and it could reach…

The following is an article written for Fabrics-store.com from a guest writer, regarding their views on the healing properties of linen, and may not be factual or contain the views of those at Fabrics-store.com. We are open to all views on linens, but cannot guarantee any physical, mental, spiritual, or other healing properties contained in…

It’s nearly time for the faire! If this will be your first visit to a renaissance fair or if you are tweaking your costume for this seasons festivities, historical accuracy will cross your mind at some point. You only have to be as accurate as you want to be. Though Queen Elizabeth didn’t have machine…

Anne, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton was born into one of the wealthiest and most powerful Scottish families in Whitehall, London in 1631. King Charles I was her godfather. Due to the deaths of her brothers, father and uncle (the latter two in battles defending the King) she personally inherited the vast Hamilton estates in 1650….

The Renaissance Dancers are based in Southwark, London, site of historic Tudor theatres such as the vanished Rose and the rebuilt Shakespeare’s Globe. Originating from the Shakespeare’s Theatre Friends Association the group was founded in 1999. They regularly stage stunning displays of elaborate period dances. Although the members are amateurs they have been trained by…

Whether you need a costume for a renaissance fair or a Celtic festival, Scottish and Irish clothing is a versatile choice. There are a few key differences in the costumes worn by the Celtic people as compared to the English style clothing seen at many fairs. Among the Celts, there are also a few noteworthy…

It’s impossible to even consider attending a Romantic era re-enactment without first understanding the importance of linen in Romantic era clothing. Linen, made from the flax plant, has long been an important fabric. Throughout history it has been know for its versatility. In the romantic era, from 1825 to 1835, linen was used in many…

Linen was a very important fabric, in Edwardian times. So, if you are planning to attend an Edwardian re-enactment any time in the near future, you should understand a bit about linen and its Edwardian uses, first. Linen has been around for a long time. It was even used in ancient Egypt. It is one…

If you are planning to attend a Tudor era re-enactment, you will want to have the proper costume.  Before you search for suitable costumes for your Tudor re-enactment, you need to decide exactly what it is you’re looking for, though.  You might start by thinking about linen.  It was a very important fabric in the…

If you sew, you probably know how frustrating it is to have the fabric slip through your fingers, fray every time you touch it and just make it nearly impossible to sew a neat seam. Well, what if I told you that I know a secret fabric that won’t try to wiggle away from you?…

What if I told you, you could own a designer quality dress, without having to pay designer prices? Well if you don’t believe me, let me tell you about something that happened to me yesterday. Yesterday afternoon, my wife and I decided to go look around at the different brands and see which designers are…