Elfsea Baronial College 2025

Japanese Poetry: Haiku, Tanka, Renga

Duquesa Valeria Richilia Navarro

This class is an overview of Japanese poetry with examples and explanations of each type. The purpose is to familiarize everyone with Renga, a collaborative poetry style, for the first round of Bardic at Commander’s Crucible in 2026. We will be writing all three styles during class. Handouts for writing all three styles will be provided.

Survey of Italian Paintings in the National Gallery, Washington DC                     

Lady Alexandra Lunette Arundel      

A slide show and discussion about Italian Paintings in the National Gallery         

Class size limit: 20    

Baltic Style Pick up Weaving

H.L. Astrid Flokadottir                          

Learn Baltic Style pick up weaving on an inkle loom.  In this class we will discuss how to read the pattern and do some hands-on weaving.                        

Class size limit: 5 for hands on, more may watch and observe   

Pattern Block Dart Manipulation for Ladies

Elizabethe De Salisbiry HL

In this class, participants will be taking a modern pattern block and moving darts to close them up and manipulating them to create different shapes on the body to create a base for medieval patterns. Participants will be tracing two copies of a pattern blocks and one sleeve. One will be a take home copy, and one will be a hands on learning copy. This is a two hour class, one to trace out the patterns I provide from XS- 6XL, and one for dart manipulation. If we have time, I will demonstrate how to manipulate the front bodice block for a princess seam and to draft a collar as well in the 2nd hour. Come ready to learn and to see how not scary this process this!            

Participants should purchase these rulers prior to signing up for this class: Imperial Sewing Ruler & French Curves for Pattern Making Drafting, Clear Plastic Fashion Designer Ruler Kit in Inches

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BJH4S62/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_4?smid=AJ6VY9RRCA471&th=1

This is a hands on class. All other materials like paper, paper cuttings scissors and washable markers will be provided for the duration of the class. Participants should also bring a soft tape measure for their body measurements. This is essential. I will have some of my own personal items for use, but I do not have many. 

Class size limit: 8      

Drumming for the Fire

HE Sean Tabor                           

This class is for those who want to participate in drum circles and the dancers who put up with them. This class teaches how to use simple vocal phrases to remember rhythms. How different rhythms build on each other. How to start, stop, and change rhythms to keep the energy flowing.

Soapstone carving for Pewter Casting/Pewter Casting

Master Sebastian Frobishire, OP                   

We will cover different types of soapstone, tools, carving techniques, different types of pewter and how to cast with it.

Ages 10+

The Amalia Cotehardie

HE Jeanne-Marie la Verriere, OL                     

In this advanced intensive, we will briefly discuss the Amalia-style Cotehardie for both masculine and feminine clothing. Then we will jump in with a demo on draping a live model to create the pattern for a cote. Finally, we will use this draped muslin to create a pattern that can be used to create gorgeous cotes of various styles.              

Heraldry Bingo

Duchess Sonja Ryzaja                                        

Learn basic, Ansteorra, and Knowne World heraldry for devices and badges by playing bingo.

Class size limit: 25    

Tigers & Wolves: on Combat Mindset

Master Abd al-Mahdi Jamal ibn Hakim        

This class uses the animal archetypes of Tigers and Wolves to better help understand the learning needs of those who study and  participate in SCA combat.

Class size limit: 12     

Black Hours – Scribal Tips & Tricks

Lady Delfina de Borja

Interested in creating Black Hours-style scrolls, but have no idea where to start? Have you dabbled in the art, but it didn’t quite turn out how you wanted? Let’s talk tips, tricks, and instruments to get you started on your Black Hours adventure!  If time allows, there will also be a demonstration how to dye pergamenata. This hands-on, interactive class will include inks, paints, and more. Bring an apron or towel to keep your garb safe.

Stencils! Creating Period-Inspired Designs on Fabric and Paper

HL Taly Toledano

This class will teach you how to design, cut, and apply a stencil to fabric or paper using simple to get materials. You will leave with at least one finished piece and the skills to create more for garb, banners, or scroll decoration.

Simplifying Animals for Illumination        

Asleif Nordradottir    

Learn how to break down an image of an animal to basic shapes, and how to translate them to an illumination style animal. Please bring sketchpad, pencil, eraser, pen.           

Class size limit: 15

Sumi-e: Paint Plum Blossoms with Me

Lady Machteld van den stienhuse                

Learn about tone, shapes, balance, and how to let mistakes become one with the artwork.

Bruise Balm: It Really Works!

Lady Signý bjarki Sigurðardóttir                      

Are you a fighter or grace-impaired individual tired of getting bruises? Learn how to easily make your own bruise balm that really works! We’ll have a short lecture to discuss the historical herbs and processes used in medieval and prehistory. Then, we’ll use modern technology to make our own bruise balm. This is a make and take class. You may want to bring an apron with you to prevent any garb mishaps.

10 foot rule

Sir Arthur of the Fen                

Ideas and techniques for making the modern disappear.

Making Your Feathers Fancier       

Lady Alhdryð ceorlstrang                    

Feathers are nice and fluffy… but what if you could make them sparkly, too? Lecture will cover 16th century feather work in art, with a hands-on demonstration to decorate your own ostrich plume. Class fee: $10 for supplies and a feather to decorate.

Waka: How To Write a Japanese Poem

Bhann Mhearai Hamelin       

Poetry has a rich history in Japan. Come learn the history of the Waka and how to write the many formats of these beautiful poems, the precursors to the haiku!

Class size limit: 10

Usage of braids and trim in the Viking era            

Bezzhen Dragoslavl Ladogin              

Discussion about the construction and usage of trim in Viking era clothing. Will include hands on workshop learning to make several braids.

Quick warping tablets for insignia weaving         

HL Jayne Cobham                    

Learn to quick warp tablets for insignia weaving.