About me

As far back as the 13th century there are records of the Gilbert name being linked to goldsmithing and the production of cloth and clothing in England and so it's no wonder that researching and making medieval clothing is a great passion of mine! The Gilbert family history stretches back into medieval England and it is here that I find a fascinating period in time with really cool clothes and women more empowered than most people believe.

Everything you see me wearing throughout this website is all hand stitched, historically accurate clothing made by myself. I used to have a business making clothes for others but I really don't do that anymore. I am passionate about historical re-enactment and women in the Middle Ages, particularly England where my family origins are. As much as I have learnt, there always seems to be more to learn and something new to discover!

I'm a lifetime member of FoTAM, the Friends of the ABBEY MUSEUM OF ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY where I spend as much time as I can but never as much time as I want!

I'm also a member of the QUEENSLAND LIVING HISTORY FEDERATION.

10 frequently asked questions:

Do you make your own medieval clothes?
Yes, I do! I love to sew, I've always been keen on costuming and I'm a total strive-for-perfection nut so I really prefer to have a go at making things myself if it's within my ability. Even if it's not, that's not going to stop me having a go at it.

Where do you get your patterns from?
There are a few historical sources- clothing which has been studied and reconstructed to give us an idea where the seams go and don't go! Paintings and illuminations often show the internal lacing and the way fabric hangs. Household rolls from the medieval period also provide a wealth of information about fabrics, colours and clothing descriptions. Sermons constantly had a great deal to say about clothing, especially to women. Put altogether, we can make a picture of how the clothing patterns went.

Your dresses are not really all hand-stitched, are they?
Yes, again, they are! I really do like to reconstruct clothing as accurately as possible, and for me this means sewing by hand using the kind of seam joins that were used then. Occasionally I make clothes for other people who aren't as strict in their costuming, and I do use a sewing machine for the internal seams if they specifically ask me to. I still hand-finish all the external seams and finishings- like eyelets and hems. It takes a long time, for sure, but not as long as you'd think and the sense of achievement when making something in the traditional way is terrific!

What are you wearing.. um.. underneath?
Well, mostly medieval underclothes! I have a chemise, which is a pleated, gauzy smock like a slip, woolen hose with garters. Okay.. I usually wear underpants as well but I believe that medieval women did also- just not the ones I'm wearing!

What got you interested in medieval clothes?
I'm not a girly girl and I rarely do dresses or skirts so it's a real departure from how I actually am in real life! Costuming is something I've always enjoyed from days in junior theatre, and it was natural to me to take an interest in period costuming. From there, I became interested in how it all went together: fabrics, shapes, seams. I I attended a tournament as a MoP (member of public) and was amazed at what the women were wearing and the diverse nature of the patterning. I started to look into what was correct and what was fantasy and got sucked into the whole medieval world. I decided I'd like to make them the way they were and by hand, and I've made my own that way ever since.

How long have you been doing re-enactment?
My first MoP outfit was 2001 in cringe-worthy machine-sewed clothes which at the time I thought were marvellous! It didn't even occur to me that I could join a group and learn all year round. My first group was in 2002. and I've been involved with a couple since then.

What do you do the rest of the year when Tournaments aren't on?
There's heaps to do off season. Apart form all the ongoing sewing projects and embroidery, there's dress accessories to make or aquire, shoes, painting of household things (like the backgammon board) and practicing medieval recipes on willing friends.

Where do you get all your things?
I'm lucky that some friends and fellow-re-enactors have skills who can teach me how to make things I don't know about and I'm game to have a go at hand-making almost anything myself. Occasionally, you come across a fellow-reenactor who sells goods or barters and I have some great on-line journal buddies who offer a heap of good advice and encouragement on projects.

What does your husband/boyfriend/family/workmates think about it?
My family think it keeps me out of trouble and they tolerate it quite well, mostly. Friends are mostly re-enactors, so they don't mind of course, workmates are interested in a small way (except at tournament time when they develop a kind of twitch when I mention it).

Are you a Princess?
(generally asked by little people under the age of 5, but it's a valid question, never-the-less)
Well no, I'm not. If the question is asked by a wide-eyed moppet with a mother standing behind nodding hopefully, I might be! Because at 5 years old, it's not for me to take the magic out of a little girl's dreams!

Copyright © Rosalie Gilbert
All text & photographs within this site are the property of Rosalie Gilbert unless stated.
Artifact images remain the property of the owner.
Images and text may not be copied and used without permission.
Photo of Rosalie on this page ©Nick Lagos 2010.