Oak-n-Stag Custom Designs

Since this site will be a work in progress and since I'm  not the most savvy of web builders, I hope you all bear with me!

Watch for the upcoming NEW pictures of the new items I'm creating.  You'll see the new belly dancing items that will soon be up for sale.  Come and see me November 10th at the Sam Davey Expo in Eau Claire.  You'll be able to view my work up close, feel the fabric and pick up your purchase right there!  I'm real excited about what's coming!

Also, when using the site, the back button works great.  Check out the pictures and follow the blog regarding the pictures in that section.  Drop me a note in the guest book and let me know what you think.

Huzzah!

Step back in time to when kings and queens reigned.  When knights fought bravely and a lady was a Lady, and when the Renaissance was starting, continuing and ending.  Here you will find information on all of the above, along with various other tidbits you might not find elsewhere.

Look through the site and get a feel for what kind of clothing was worn and what "I" can create for you.  Follow me step by step through the process of creating a gown, a tunic and other assorted items.  Watch for a new blog regarding the new belly dancing clothing that I'm creating. 

A big thanks to Jane for introducing me to Peanut Butter and Gypsy.  The crew is great!

Not inclined to sew yourself....drop me an email.

I'm married to a wonderful man, have a family and live in the midwest and love the outdoors.  I hunt, fish, read, write and sew.  I've been sewing since I was a young child and have grown in my passion for creating and designing clothing in the past several years.

Well over 5 years ago, a couple friends and I took a trip to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival and I fell in love with the craftsmanship of the clothing.  I had always been drawn to the era of knights and ladies, and realized it was what I wanted to concentrate on.  The fashion, the elegance and the designs of the clothing intrigued me.  I knew at that time that I could do the same and really put my sewing skills to good use.

Two years later, I created my own gown.  It was a simple Italian gown in green cotton, but it was beautiful.  This is the gown that I'm in above.  I know the picture isn't the best, but it works.    This same year, I created a pirate outfit for my son, complete with cavailer hat.  What a job that was!  But it was fun.  What I discovered when I created this gown was the lack of decent patterns from the major pattern companies.  After studying the designs, the seam lines and the way clothing was put together, I decided to create my own pattern.  There are many resources on line for this.  Some of them are good and some....well...not so good.  But what they all had in common is doing the pattern to fit the body.  So that's what I did.  And it has changed how I sew for the better.

Now a bit about the gown.  If you look closely, you'll see that the waist seems to be pulled down on one side.  This is because of the bag that is hanging off my waist.  Didn't quite get that right.  You'll see it under my hand.  It also looks as if the bodice is cut lower in the armsyce than what it is.  Actually, it's the camcia's(chemise) sleeve that is showing so big.  I followed the pattern I had found on line and it works, if I use the regular sleeves that are made for it.  In the pictures, you'll see a good shot of it with the regular sleeves.  They are reversible. 

Anyway, not bad for a first try, huh?