Lughnasadh Celebrations

	The circle of life and a bounteous harvest.
	Lammas or Lughnasadh is once again, almost upon us. This immovable Sabbat, is celebrated in one form or another throughout the world. It is a time that brings great celebration and always pause for thought. Here at Your Dressmaker we have the ability to make the occasion that little bit special. “Hey John Barleycorn, Ho, John Barleycorn, old and young thy praise have sung, John Barleycorn”. So go the words to one of the most well known, traditional folk songs in England. At harvest time, the Celtic festival of Lammas is celebrated. In Medieval Ireland it was known by the name Lughnasadh, in deference to the Irish God, Lugh. In Irish Gaelic, the month of August is Lúnasa. This is the first of three Pagan harvest festivals and celebrates the early harvest. Lammas itself means ‘loaf bread’ and traditionally at this time, people would eat bread and drink beer to celebrate the harvest and offer thanks as the circle turns to autumn, when all things must die in order to be reborn, the following year. The “Harvest Bride” was, throughout Europe, the last sheaf harvested. Dances and processions would honour her, as the Celts held tribal gatherings. This is a time of year in Wiccan belief, when stories tell of many heroic and godlike figures meeting their deaths. The Mother Goddess slays the corn God. Lugh is slain by his wife’s lover, having been betrayed. Native American tribes welcome their corn Goddess also. The festival has a fixed date, unlike the solstice and equinox celebrations. In the Northern Hemisphere it is August 1st in the Southern, February 1st. Pagans and followers of other earth religions enjoy this time of year in different ways. Traditionally the celebrations were held on hilltops. They would almost, always include feasting, the lighting of bonfires and visiting Holy springs or wells. In all celebrations the focus was and still is on the circle of life and the earth’s bounteous gifts. Contemporary Pagan rituals are centred around the death of the Corn God, slain as stated previously by the Goddess. Often these festivities are small simple affairs, where a group of like minded people simply attend a picnic, break bread and drink ale, possibly fashion corn dollies and make prayer to encourage a good harvest. Larger gatherings can be in the form of a booked party or an outdoor event including feasting and music. Games will be played and merry will be made. Festival goers take part in archery, arm wrestling, horseshoe pitching and many more traditional games. Gentlemen, if you are lucky enough to get an invite to one of these events, why not dress accordingly in something both of the period and of superb quality. You will be the envy of all as you escort your lady, also correctly attired. Harvest is a time of great happiness as we offer thanks for nature’s bounty. It is also a time for reflection as the cycle of life is completed. Of all the Sabbats it is perhaps the one, that provides the most solace and indeed the most to think about. For all adherents to the earth religions this is an important time of year. Throughout the world, from Pagans and Wiccan in Europe, to Native tribes people in America and the Animists of Asian culture, people will be offering thanks to the earth mother for another year fulfilled.

Medieval Gossip

	Transformative Talk: The Tale of the Gossip
	Anyone interested in late medieval culture may know that gossip, the same type of idle talk we know today, was a force to be reckoned with. It could influence not only social interactions but religious and political practices and events. It had the potential to be both a productive and a destructive force. Not surprisingly, only women were seen to be gossips since they were part of the non-dominant class. When engaging in current critical conversation, and during a time of economic and social dislocation, the power of the female gossip to subvert patriarchal authority meant that it had to be tightly controlled. Independent opinion, constructive criticism, or even concern of any kind for the way the community was being “run” was perceived by male authorities as insubordinate and disruptive. Ultimately, “gossip” was punishable as a crime. The devil Tutivillus can be regularly found in medieval art and literature. He’s associated with collecting the “dropped” words of preoccupied women distracted by secular matters. A device called the “scold’s bridle” was a gruesome mask used as punishment for women convicted by the magistrate of the crime of “idle talk”. It had a bell on top to draw attention and contribute to the shame and humiliation of the wearer and it would have been impossible to speak when wearing the bridle.Begun in Britain in the 1500s, this form of punishment lasted 300 years before it was abolished. (Photo: Courtesy Science Museum of London) Tutivillus, the devil of hell, He writeth har names, sothe to tell, Ad missam garulantes. Better wer be at home for ay Than her to serve the devil to pay, Sic vana famulantes. Thes women that sitteth the church about, Thay beth all of the devilis rowte, Divina impedientes.1 The devil Tutivillus can be regularly found in medieval art and literature. He’s associated with collecting the “dropped” words of preoccupied women distracted by secular matters. A device called the “scold’s bridle” was a gruesome mask used as punishment for women convicted by the magistrate of the crime of “idle talk”. It had a bell on top to draw attention and contribute to the shame and humiliation of the wearer and it would have been impossible to speak when wearing the bridle.Begun in Britain in the 1500s, this form of punishment lasted 300 years before it was abolished. (Photo: Courtesy Science Museum of London)

Medieval Handmade Leather

Handmade with top quality
	Handmade by custom measurements I am Daniel leather maker from Your Dressmaker. Our products are handmade with top quality leather. All belts and accessories can make by custom measurements and custom order. Please check out our website we have just added new designs of belts, arm braces and bags. For more information feel free to contact me. Daniel

	Our best Belts and Bags in Genuine Rustic Leather.
	We make all of our leather goods in-house and with strict attention to detail. We're excited to introduce these new hand-made leather designs.

Hoop-Skirts

	Extending into a fashionable renaissance shape
	… is an essential part of historical costuming A basic for every lady’s renaissance wardrobe is to give a worn dress a defined shape. Hoopskirts are appropriate to wear with period clothing from the Renaissance Era through the Victorian Era. Finding the right hoop skirt is essential for an authentic look of the dress for your event, wedding, next renaissance fair, or Carnival. All petticoats and hoop skirts are available by custom measurement. You will find more info on our homepage.
	The Bum Roll is a crescent shaped pillow designed to perfect the shape of epoch dress designs. Ties at the front with a sturdy ribbon. *Pictured with the Bum Roll (worn under the dress).
	This A-line style petticoat is handmade from 3 layers (Inner lining, Polyester net fabric and Outer Fabric) for the ultimate in comfort and appearance. An essential complement for many dresses, this petticoat fills out the shape of the dress and enhances your silhouette. *Pictured with the Petticoat No. 1 (worn under the dress).
	Our unique hoop-skirt No. 2 design complements renaissance, baroque, and other period dress styles. The two-piece skirt consists of three hoops and a tulle/satin covering layer. This skirt is essential for many dress styles and elegantly fills out the design’s silhouette. *Pictured with the Hoop-skirt No. 2 (worn under the dress).
	This pannier is essential for many renaissance and baroque dress designs and ensures ultimate comfort and a majestic silhouette. Our original design is a customer favorite and will not impede sitting or movement. *Pictured with Pannier No. 2 (worn under the dress).
	Our unique hoop-skirt design complements civil war-era and other period dress styles. The two-piece skirt consists of five hoops and a tulle/satin covering layer. This skirt is essential for many dress styles and elegantly fills out the design’s silhouette. *Pictured with the Hoop-Skirt No. 3 (worn under the dress).