Medieval Smocked Apron (and a Giveaway!) [CC]

IN WHICH our intrepid recreatrix makes medieval several smocked aprons to donate as gifts to her local SCA group. When this channel reaches 250 subscribers, I will choose a random follower to receive their choice of one of the three aprons (black, red, or blue). Make sure to subscribe if you haven't already, and share on social media to make sure the giveaway can happen sooner rather than later!
Brooklyn Tea: brooklyntea.com
Black Lives Matter donation page: secure.actblue...
Twitter thread of petitions: ic...
Other places to donate: mx...
Alb of St Hugo, via Chris Laning: www.flickr.com...
Music Credits:
"Ritual"
"Lord of the Land"
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons...
"Journey Into The New World" by Twin Musicom
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
Source: www.twinmusicom...
Artist: www.twinmusicom...
"Renaissance" by Audionautix
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
Artist: audionautix.com/
"Forests in Mist" by Howard Harper-Barnes
"Highlands" by Philip Ayers
"Tudor" and "The Norman Kings" by Bonnie Grace

[@KathrynsRavens]

This make smocking seem so much more possible! As I slowly go through your older videos I'm getting so many ideas and really appreciate that you fight for social justice

[@kitdubhran2968]

Thank you for explaining a complicated looking form of decoration really accessible. One could, if really harsh and brutal to clothes, add a piece of facing in the same material to the back, just where the smocking is. To protect any of the bits of thread in the back from catching on bits of modern clothes and what-not. I’m really really hard on clothes and shoes. So protective measures usually need to be taken. And with those threads in back not pulled taut or tied between each stitch I was like “I will so catch those on something and rip out all my hard work.”

[@OpusElenae]

That’s definitely a possibility, yup!

[@SnappyDragon]

I know you meant to stick around to the end for the apron giveaway, but I'm extra glad I stuck around for the kitty :D

[@OpusElenae]

SnappyDragon I really should put more of him in videos; I have SO MUCH FOOTAGE of him lol

[@susanyoung8789]

I am super late to this video, but I want to thank you for two things. Making an easy to follow, taking the fear out of smocking video. This is great! Also - it's 2022 and things are changing, but not enough and not all for the better. Thank you for taking a stand!! 💜

[@selkiemorien9006]

The simplicity of this process still baffles me - it' so pretty! And you explained it so well. A very nice project to recreate to practice handstitching. :)

[@cosmicsugar8141]

I just found your channel, and I’ve only watched a few videos. So far, you’ve celebrated Tolkien’s birthday, told Nazis they’re not going to Valhalla, and stood with Black Lives Matter at the time of events. You’re my new favorite channel! Keep up the good work 💛💛

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you! I try really hard to use my platform for as much good as I possibly can, and to make my space as safe as I can.

[@darklymoonlit]

I found you through CoCoVid and I'm so very glad I did. Beautiful work (and beautifully put, very important message). Also, that tea sounds amazing and I definitely don't need more tea but also I might need more tea.

[@OpusElenae]

Everyone always needs more tea! Welcome!

[@lenabreijer1311]

I know I am very late with this but I just found your channel. You can buy iron on smocking dots in various colours and spacing. I used to do a lot of it . At that time you could just buy it in the fabric store. If you want to practice smocking, use gingham, it is perfectly spaced so all that work is done.

[@OpusElenae]

Interesting; I’ve never seen that! I’ll keep an eye out for it.

[@lenabreijer1311]

@@OpusElenae I used to get it in stores that specialize in embroidery and such. None of those stores exist now. But you should be able to find it online. It is such a time and aggravation saver.

[@OpusElenae]

@@lenabreijer1311 It seems that it's been discontinued as a product. I see some places on Etsy and Ebay that sell old stock, but the dots seem to be spaced too close together for these aprons too. I'll definitely keep it in mind if I take on a more finely smocked project!

[@asiabryant207]

Oh wow. Cool! The other smocking examples I saw had running stitches across all the rows and then stitch together the columns to make the honeycomb pattern. Im glad I saw this other technique. Thank you. I think I'll try out both waya

[@hasumeokaasan6533]

I know i am a million years late to this video, but its superb! You linger just long enough on any given step to really *teach* the step, so any novice (like me) to handsewing, and smocking in particular feels really secure and confident to do it themselves! I had a couple quick questions, tho: 1. How wide and long is the original apron panel? 2. How does this type of smockimg hold up in the washing machine? I cook. A lot. And would love to start making my period pieces more functional in my life. 3. Do you ever have problems with staining from ironing the beeswax?

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you, I'm glad they're helpful! 1. The aprons are originally 30 inches wide, and the finished apron is 15.5 inches wide, so it's about half as wide at the end. 2. I wash my smocked apron all the time, as long as your knots are secure at the back, they're very sturdy. 3. I haven't had any problems with wax staining. I use such a small amount that I haven't noticed any staining at all.

[@eleanorhall7982]

I’m so late on this but- as well as waxing linen thread I iron it before use- this smooths the wax and the thread out and helps melt any areas that catch too much wax ( which can happen if using a slightly lumpy thread) to make ironing the thread easier you can iron it between sheets of parchment paper- or if you’re lazy like me… run the thread through a hot ceramic hair straightener- just make sure you wipe your hair straightener down before using it on your hair again. Hair straighteners also make fantastic portable mini irons for veils and caps at events with power points.

[@MelzoA.]

I know the video is old, but thanks for standing up for society in your intro! Makes me happy ❤❤❤ great work, as always! ❤

[@OpusElenae]

What use is a platform if I don’t use it for good?

[@collettemcquaide1662]

First of your videos I have seen. Love your speaking to truth. Subscribed. Xx

[@OpusElenae]

Welcome!

[@margolambert1018]

Another excellent video! (With a very important message featured) I learned this technique at a class at an event recently and have been itching to actually make an apron. You’ve inspired me to give it a go. :)

[@OpusElenae]

Margot Marschall Thank you! With... everything that’s happening, inside the SCA (esp our kingdom) and outside, I really felt like I should be clear where I stand and the things I am supporting. Also I can’t wait to see your apron!

[@margolambert1018]

Opus Elenae Ah yes, *deep sigh* our kingdom indeed. The good outweighs the bad though, and we have people like you who set a great example. :)

[@ElizabethEstervig]

What a pretty pretty house panther! ❤️❤️

[@lajoyous1568]

Seems I'm more than a bit late for the giveaway, but so glad to see you've made so many new friends 😊 Beautiful apron, looks like I might have to try my hand at smocking.

[@OpusElenae]

I’ll be announcing two more in my next video! Welcome!

[@gaarakibatemari]

Thank you so much ! I am French and thanks to your video I realized my first sewing project! Your explanations are great! I'm going to have a beautiful apron for this year's camps!

[@OpusElenae]

I’m so glad!

[@adriennepuck]

Omgosh this is awesome! I wanted to make an apron like this, but I couldn't figure out to make that pattern. Thanks so much!!

[@janisi9262]

These bring some extra beauty to a very utilitarian garment. Oh, I love when my kitty gives me tiny mews!

[@kzisnbkosplay3346]

I love smocking. Looks beautiful! Your kingdom is lucky to have you. I barely have time to keep my growing kids in garb!

[@christagordon4774]

Thank you so much for captioning!!

[@OpusElenae]

You're welcome! I'm trying to make my channel more accessible. I'm going back and refining the auto-captions on my past videos too, so anything with the [CC] label on it has been done. If it's not there yet, check back periodically because I'm working on the back catalogue as we speak!

[@sarahjacobs5626]

Watching you inspires me to create! Excellent video, as always, thank you for being explicit in your support of Black lives.

[@AgentPedestrian]

I have never wanted to make an apron before... but now I'm like... but what if i had some fabric for it

[@eleanorhall7982]

Now I’m running into a problem - I want to make a smocked apron after watching this video… but I already HAVE a very nice smocked apron (somewhere) And a current hand project ( handsewn wool women’s hose) and a next project planned ( a London Hood) … and a project that’s pending a lost part ( a hat based on images in the Manesse codex.. but I have to find the felt blank that’s around here somewhere)…. I need more sewing time!

[@OpusElenae]

Welllll, maybe a new smocked apron for until you find your other one? And then you could make it a gift to someone!

[@lspthrattan]

Wow; nice work. The very simplicity of the piece makes the evenness and small stitch size just that much more important; you have good hands. Great video! Just discovered your channel, where has the algorithm been hiding you?

[@OpusElenae]

Welcome to the (apparently secret) club!

[@rosalobo4968]

Could one refer to the apron strings as 2 inch single fold tapes?

[@OpusElenae]

You could definitely use premade bias tape, or wide twill tape!

[@MossyMozart]

This is my first exposure to your channel. Thank you so much for your heartfelt support of people who are loudly maligned by some in the USA who do not believe in civil rights for all. And your project and kitty were great, too! I also have a black kitty with bright eyes, named Bright Eyes, only she is much more zaftig . I'll watch more....

[@OpusElenae]

I am those people too (or at least under the queer umbrella) so I try to use my platform for good.

[@miri2810]

These look beautiful! And I really like your username :)

[@LibertyElaine]

I know you briefly mentioned the time period of this, but do you know when it was most popular? Was it specific to certain classes?

[@christierussell8017]

I expected these type aprons to be extremely difficult to make!

[@EmilyJeanCreates]

Besides the wonderful sewing content, I absolutely LOVED the music in this video!

[@WhiteHeather82]

Really looking forward to making one of these eventually! What were the dimensions of the fabric piece your started with before smocking?

[@OpusElenae]

About 30" by 34".

[@ninad205]

So how do you calculate how much fabric you will need? I love this and I want to do it on everything :)

[@OpusElenae]

I honestly just guess for doing these aprons (apron widths are generally pretty forgiving), but if you want a more in depth guide on calculating, I recommend this site: homeguides.sfgate.com/determine-length-fabric-pleat-smocking-103047.html

[@hannahbradshaw2186]

Very late to the party here but I was wondeirng how to measure for an apron like this.

[@fatimaal-zuhairi7373]

Thank you so much May I ask you a favour to help me understand how do I know the measurement for this lovely piece For 15 cm I would appreciate that please, Fatima

[@jennglow4647]

Very pretty 😀

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you! 😊

[@connioneill5016]

[@kristataylor1652]

How far apart are your smocking dots?

[@OpusElenae]

About half an inch

[@NomtheGnome]

I recognize that black silk thread. Is that Eowyn's thread?

[@OpusElenae]

Sure is! Just about every silk thread I use on this channel (unless specified) is.