Sewing Circle at Hara Kikumatsu’s

Now that Pennsic is over and September is creeping closer, sewing circle will resume. Many folks will be in post-Pennsic recovery, repairing or reworking garb, but bring what you wish. The host, day of the month, and location are all changing. The new host is Hara Kikumatsu. The new day of the month is the first Thursday, so the next sewing night is September 5th. The new location is 1105 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. The time is still 7:30-9:30. Both hand sewing and machine sewing are encouraged. If you use a sewing machine, there are two regular machines, one serger, and a single color embroidery machine here. If you wish to arrange to use the embroidery machine, you should contact Master Ishiyama Gen’tarou Yori’ie, the expert on that machine. If you know you will be using a machine or ironing board extensively, you may want to bring your own, so you don’t need to wait to use the equipment here. If you would like help with pattern design you should still reach out to Mistress Ts’vee’a bas Tseepora Levi to make an appointment. If you have questions contact sewing at debatablelands dot org

Woodworking Guild planning meeting tomorrow

Please join us tomorrow (Thursday, August 22nd) at 7pm at the Panera in Oakland (the one on the Boulevard of the Allies, the one that used to be a Howard Johnson’s) to help plan out meetings, projects, and workshop days for the autumn. Did you learn to make something cool at Pennsic? What would you love to learn to make now that Pennsic is over and you’ve seen ten thousand other peoples’ cool stuff? I hate to bring it up so early, when it isn’t even Labor Day yet, but this is the best time to start planning out what your winter holiday presents are going to be. Sit down with us, have some tea and a pastry, and talk it out. Bring your planners and calendars!

New Practice

Konichiwa Debatable Lands!!! Now that our triumph at war is complete, it is time to focus within. In an effort to expand our numbers, I am starting a mid week practice. Beginning tomorrow, Wednesday August 21, a weekly Wednesday practice will be held at my house. The address is 16 Quail Run, Allison Park PA 15101. The hope is to not only practice, but also do teaching and demos, and introduce some alternate weapon type and tourney setups to broaden our skills and make us all more complete throwers. Start time will be 630, give or take a few minutes. All are welcome.

YIS, Kumagaya-roku-e Kentarou Masamoto BMDL TW MIC

What was “the banner stand project”?

Now it can be told! Last year after Pennsic, Baroness Hilda asked Ishiyama if he would make silk banners for the Barony to gift to the other Baronies of Æthelmearc as favors for the “7 Pearls Dinner” at this year’s Pennsic War. These banners would also need stands and support poles. The stands and poles were a perfect way to enlist the help of the Woodworking Guild.

The Seven Pearls banners and their banner stands

The stands are made from 2×4 lumber, which keeps the costs down, but creates a little bit more work. Each is made from four identical legs and four identical cross-pieces, so mass-production of pieces sped the whole project along. Once you remove the support pole, the off-center hinge pin lets the stand fold flat for travel.

There are enough extra pieces left over that if you need one of these stands for your very own, just let the guild know and we can help you put one together.

Larder Moving Day

August 24th is the big day to move the larder to its new home; maybe you have seen the announcement posted by Alaric inviting one and all to help.
https://debatablelands.aethelmearc.org/blog/?p=3557&fbclid=IwAR1WcaGgKbZLr21iCF5kiCtSsDIhLFTfi6nEXlGAvT8raS8xHHusJakAToU

If you like food – eating it, making it, watching cooking shows, whatever – you might want to come out for this day. We are blessed here in the Barony with an abundance of excellent cooks, and we have many events here and nearby with great sideboards and feasts. You might wonder how in the world we manage to pull off consistently yummy food. If you look behind the curtain, you’ll see that one of our secrets is our Larder! This is our collection of cooking gear: pots, pans, cauldrons, pancake flippers, measuring cups, pirogi makers, and many, many other doodads and gizmos.

Knowing what kitchen stuff belongs to the Barony helps in several ways. First, if you are cleaning up after feast, you’ll know what to pack in which tote boxes. Next, if you want to cook a thing, you’ll know if there is the correct equipment for your needs. Then, should you be checking stuff out of the larder or back in, you’ll know the process and methods in order to get the right stuff.

The larder is a valuable asset to us all here in the Barony so come and be introduced! August 24th is the day of the Great Larder Migration! Please come out and join us to transport the larder from Michelina’s to Alaric & Elsbeth’s. We’ll be meeting at Michelina’s (107 Mattier Drive, Pittsburgh PA 15238) at 11 am . Remember, pizza for helpers!

Please contact Alaric (alaric@pobox.com) if you’re able to help.

Thanks, Elss Augsburg

A Generous Gift

Yesterday at martial practice, Master John the Artificer gave to me four huge bags of fabric and clothing to pass on to our Gold Key. First, many thanks to him for bringing the things, which were part of Achren’s collection, and for donating them to the Barony.

Some of the fabric has gone to the Sewing Guild for scroll cases and other uses. Many thanks to Hara for helping sort the goods, it was a big job!

The rest of the fabric and trim will appear in the Auction for Desirable but Lost Stuff at Twelfth Night, so everyone will be able to bid on their favorites.

And there were some interesting items of garb in the bags, and my question is does Gold Key need any additional pieces? There are some larger size items and some children’s things, so maybe they will be of use. Nichola Beese to the white courtesy phone, please! Maybe we can get together and see if anything is of use for our newer members.

I can be reached at 724.759.3333 by text if anyone has questions, whether it be about the Auction, Gold Key, donations, or whatever.