The importance of using the correct fabric for historical clothing

Why Linen? Like many historical reenactors, when I started in this hobby, the clothing I wore was just the means to an end. We have to wear correct historical clothing in order to participate in our hobby. It’s our uniform, just like footballers wear shoulder pads and helmets and baseball players wear cleats and caps….

The use of linen goes back to the earliest of times. Its use had been so widespread, that it cannot be determined where it was invented for use as clothing and medicine. In the Bible, the word ‘linen’ occurs 104 times in 90 verses, and the word ‘flax’ occurs 11 times in 10 verses. Flax…

A truism often overlooked, Raghavendra Rathore knows it, protects it, loves it. Through the ages, many wise men and women have decided a person’s fate with a quick turn of the phrase: “œYou are what you eat,” “œAll work and no play make Jack a dull boy,” “œGod helps those who help themselves.” But none…

It is possible to glimpse life in a medieval linen drapers shop thanks to an illuminated manuscript the Tacuinum of Vienna. Tacuinum Sanitatis were medieval medical books devoted to health and sanitation. Five unique copies of these manuscripts survive in different cities from which they take their names.. They were written in Latin which had…

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…