Hi, I've been a lurker on the forums here for a while, Many of the questions I've had I can find the answer through searching. Now however I need the your help. I've always been interested in re-enacting and someday wish to get a kit together, and the opportunity to start it has come along. One of my favorite old Blankets has developed a large hole in it, and left me with a the remaining material. Since wool is one of the period correct cloth materials, I Figured it might be worth salvaging what I can.
[attachment=8064]cloth.jpg[/attachment]
I was wondering if the pattern of the weave would be a problem though, would it be inappropriate for a tunic? If so is there any other uses I could adapt this cloth to?
I have interest in Roman civil and military life from the Early republic until the late Byzantine period, so a time frame of 200 BC - AD 600 for either civilian of military gear would be the kind of suggestions I'm looking for.
First of all, welcome to RAT! Glad to have you here.
The pattern is definitely a problem. It could still work for you know, a blanket, IMO.
If you're looking to begin re-enacting, we are more than happy to help here on RAT. Depending on your era, it can be easy or uber-expensive. The Legio XX guide is a great place to start for Principate Re-enactment. He also gives plenty of guides to making your own tunics, belts, etc.
Matt,
would you consider using your blanket to make a mock-up piece?
You could make a mock version so that you'll have a better idea of how a heavier wool will drape, how long you'll want it (before a belt hikes the skirt part of the shirt up, and similarly, how long you'll want the arms to be?
Anyways, just a suggestion. Good luck with what you work out!
I'm completely convinced that they had the capability to weave that sort of pattern. Looks like a 4 heddle loom would do the job. Some other weaver could confirm that.
It would make more sense to me not to use the blanket as a tunic, since it's likely much too thick of cloth. At the same time, it could be used for a sagum, perhaps, depending on where the hole is, or a cuculus, maybe, as that takes smaller pieces to do. Leg wraps could be useful. Is it cold where you live, Matthew?
If you want to make a mockup tunic, get some inexpensive knit or soft fiber weave on the sale table at a fabric store. Really, though, a tunic is so easy to make, you shouldn't need to make a practice piece. Two rectangles of cloth, roughly from forearm to forearm with arms stretched out and from the neck/shoulder junction to upper calf is all you need. If the fabric comes such that its width works for the vertical measurement, then you don't even have to hem the garment. And yes, that tunic will feel huge. It's the way they're supposed to be.
I made my tunic on the first shot. Didn't even sew arms on it (which I now am planing to do).
M. Demetrius can link you to a good supplier of Wool Fabric.
Cheyenne can tell you whether or not the pattern is accurate. If it is, then you could definitely use it for socks, leg wraps, maybe an Abolla (the blanket would probably have to be cut down for an Abolla). A cucullus or Pileus Pannonicus could work too.
Some good places to start gathering information about clothing, people, etc.
A cuculus is an outerwear garment. Basically, a short or long cloak with a hood. Mine is short, but I wear it on very cold days over a longer cloak. A 3/4 circle or half circle cloak is sometimes called a Paenula, sometimes a cuculus. If you think of a medieval monk's cowl, that's essentially a cuculus.
In Latin, cuculus means cuckoo, as in the bird. Some species of that bird have a feather color pattern that looks like a hood, hence the name. If you decide to make one, be sure to make the hood large. In the event you decide to wear your headcover over your helmet, you'll be glad you did.
Thanks for all the info, I'll be spending some time sifting through it all. As a impoverished American College student, I've got a limited budget, hence reusing the blanket. I'm not sure If it could be used for any type of cloak, considering the size and placement of the hole.
[attachment=8087]Blanket.jpg[/attachment]
But perhaps with some careful cutting and measuring it could, Unless I wanted to call the gaping hole "battle damage" haha! Leg wraps are a possibility, I live in the north east so it get's chilly in the winter.
