So, a week tomorrow till we leave for Coronation. My how time flies... we're getting there, everyone's under layer and middle layer are finished, or very extremely almost finished, and over garments well and truly begun.

I do have one quick question for the kirtle-makers amongst you - how do I stop my lacing from doing ( this )

I tried lying down on my back so I could lace it right up, then I stood up and this happened. Is it because of where my lacing rings are (please say no I'll cry if I have to move them). Is is cos I've laced from the top down? Is it something else?

In other news, there's not much. Assignment due on Friday, almost finished, but oh so bored.

And here's a gratuitous cat picture, cos she's the cutest thing ever...



That's Stripes sitting on the back of the couch watching me sew... at least she's not helping, for a change.

I should really go down to Spotlight, but OMG the weather is vile - rain and wind and sooo cold... *sigh*... time to bite the bullet and go!

So, update. First off, sorry its taken me so long but mayela_delarue you totally rock. Thanks so much for the pattern, while it obviously needs adjustments its a big step in the right direction for us :)

We've finally got the accommodation crisis in Christchurch solved, we've got a couple of rooms at the YMCA hostel. Not ideal, but the best of a bad bunch since it became apparent early on that trying to billet six of us was going to be difficult. But we're in the middle of everything so we won't need a car, hardly the end of the world. Must get passport photos done.

Small fabric crisis have happened and been mostly, hopefully solved. Actually a quick question about the kirtle patterns - T took hers apart and cut down the lines, and is a little concerned because the two front pieces bear absolutely no resemblance to each other at all - they're completely different shapes. I'm sure I remembered reading somewhere that that was normal and a result of the weird shape of the body, but can anyone back me up there??

Uni started this week, nothing too scary at this point, except the discussion boards I'm supposed to participate in (damn distance education...). It's full of two types of people, both of whom I'd like to hit with something:

(Actual quote off board)
"hi my name XXXXX and i from sydney. where u all from. do i have to read the whole book or just the bit it says to read? what do u think? oh and are there any presentations in this corse or just the essays on the list? okay bye XXXXX"

(Another actual quote off board)
"Hi I'm XXXXY and *very long life story*. I was wondering where I can hand in my first assignment since I've finished it already" (PS This is the FIRST DAY of the course and the assignment isn't even being covered until next week, and not due till week 5).

Now, I know its Open Univ, and I know I wouldn't even be in the course if it wasn't, but *sheesh* you'd think the ability to read would be helpful. Both these questions are answered in the handout we received in the mail, and in at least two places on the online resource site. I think I'm just going to participate as much as I have to, and for the most part ignore them completely and get stuff done on my own.

Job hunt still fruitless. Starting to think perhaps too much info in my resume. Perhaps should just say 'I'm a big spaz and you should not, under any circumstances, consider hiring me' may, at this point, be more effective.

So, er, anyone know anything *at all* about 15th century "french" costume? I think by "french" we mean "Burgundian" judging by the frock pics I've been shown. TRH have decided that's what they fancy for Coronation, and I've been charged with the research. Couldn't have picked 16th Italian, now, could they?? *giggle*

So, we have a little idea as far as frocks go, Therasa has seen a plate in Racinet she likes, the deep v fronted, fur trimmed, long train type thing. My frock will be similar but simpler.

But two questions... what on earth did men wear at this time? And what on earth am I going to have to wear on my head?

ETA: oh yeah, and does anyone have the faintest idea where we could get something that looks like ermine in Melbourne?????