It might seem like it sometimes, but the Garrison is not just a place to practice your archery and combat. Most members of the group also do some form of medieval crafts. If you are interested in doing any crafts, just talk to the members or watch at pub meetings and shows.
| | Sewing and Dressmaking The majority of Garrison members make their own kit (costumes), often hand sewing everything. Usually, no patterns are used to make kit. This produces some kit of a very high standard that fits the wearer perfectly - just what you need in clothing that you're likely to wear for a weekend straight. |
| (sorry, no photo currently) | Lucetting This is a technique that was widely used in medieval times to produce a strong cord that can be used for the lacing on dresses, the ties on cloaks or the drawstrings on pouches. It's a bit like French knitting and strangely addictive. |
| (sorry, no photo currently) | Naal-binding Knitting was not widespread in Europe in the 14th Century. Instead, naal-binding was used to make socks and hats - it's a technique more like crochet than knitting that uses a single large needle (a darning needle does a pretty good job). It can be more fun than knitting since there are no patterns and you can't really go wrong. |
| (sorry, no photo currently) | Card Weaving This is a form of weaving that uses a small (portable) loom or just two things to tie the warp threads to. Patterns are produced by shuffling cards threaded onto the warp threads. It can be used to make belts, plus pretty edgings for clothing. Sometimes members do this at shows - there is a group loom available, so you don't have to tie yourself to a tent or a table. :) |
 | Spinning In the 14th Century, all thread was spun using a drop spindle - a very time consuming process in comparison to using a spinning wheel or modern industrial machines. Lots of our members spin as a hobby - you can usually see one or two people spinning at a pub meeting, cursing when the thread breaks. |
| (sorry, no photo currently) | Knitting Although knitting was uncommon in 14th Century Europe, there is still evidence of knitting being used to make hats, socks and hose - often the knitted items were felted afterwards, either through use or design. So, get out your needles - although you will have to knit on the round (with four or five double-pointed needles). |
| (sorry, no photo currently) | Fletching A necessary evil. Mending or making arrows gets you terribly gluey and covered in feathers and mess. However, it needs to get done so we can play with the archery ... and actually, tying the feathers down isn't that bad. :) |
| (sorry, no photo currently) | Leatherworking Lots of our members do leatherworking - be it to produce a small belt pouch to keep their change in, or an entire suit of leather armour. The method is not too dissimilar to sewing fabric and you can probably borrow some of the tools if you're not yet sure its something you want to do. |
 | Making chain armour (aka 'man knitting') Something that the men do so that they can pretend they're being crafty. :) It's pretty easy to learn - all you need is two pairs of pliers, a load of links and a little bit of patience. Also, it's often a far cheaper way of getting a chain shirt than simply buying it ready made. |
| (sorry, no photo currently) | Blacksmithing At shows, our Chairman nearly always brings his portable forge along. If you want to learn some blacksmithing, or just want something small like a cloak pin, ask and you can be shown the basics. |
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