The Arts and Sciences are home to those who love to research, learn, and create. Whether you like to do the more stereotypical A&S activities like sewing and calligraphy, or you prefer to brew your own beers, dance, make armor, or learn about period weapons styles, there is something within the Arts and Sciences for everyone -- you may not realize it, but you are almost certainly participating in A&S.



Local Activities:


A&S night is currently every 1st and 3rd Thursday at 7:00 in the Illini Union.


Music Guild meets every First and Third Sunday from 7-9pm at the Illini Union.

Cooking Guild meets every Fourth Friday at a changing location.

Dance Practice happens every Fourth Thursday at 7:00 in the Illini Union.

Online Resources:

Kingdom of Atlantia A&S Links -- this is a wonderul source for articles on almost any A&S topic. If you don't know exactly what are you are looking for, start here!

Greydragon Library -- A collection of articles on a variety of topics, including garb, brewing, gaming, and woodworking.

On Garb and Costuming:
Drea Leed's Elizabethan Costuming Page -- A great place to get started, for those interested in anything late period. Be sure to check out the Smock Pattern Generator (this can be used to make early period tunics! even for men!) and the Corset Pattern Generator. (Kathrin's note: this was the site I used to make my first "real" garb. Wonderful resource!)

Extremecostuming.com -- This is a great place to visit for ideas and inspiration, but don't let yourself get intimidated! Laura's actaully very friendly. Be sure to check out her articles.

From the Skin Out -- "Oh, my God, its 1404 and I have nothing to wear!" This site details the layers of clothing that go into creating this look.

Making 15th-Century Frontlaced Kirtles -- Impressed by the clothing you saw at the above site? This one will give you some guidance for creating it.

The Italain Showcase -- A gallery of later-period Italian garb made by people from throughout the Known World. Highly inspirational!

Tudor Research Gallery -- A collection of Tudor period garb images, organized for your convenience.

Cynthia Virtue's Medieval Clothing Page -- This one has a little bit of everything, including patterns, choosing fabric, how to comfortably make your headwear stay put... Definitely worth browsing.

Mistress Sarafina's Sewing and Research Site -- Sarafina is a wonderful lady, whose Laurel is in Elizabethan clothing.

Elizabethan Textile Colors -- What color is "murrey"? Did you know that "Goose Turd" and "Dead Spaniard" are period color terms?

Archaeological Sewing -- This one is less on patterning and more on period technique, stitch, and seam types.

The Renaissance Tailor -- Lots of tips and techniques for creating 16th- and 17th-Century clothing.

How to make an easy Italian chemise -- Simple, clear explanation.

Costuming Through the Centuries -- Early- to mid-period costume information

Norse Clothing Information -- Good overview of Norse clothing and textile work, with great photos.

The Sideless Surcote -- Good information, great photos, and patterns. Shows the construction of SCA heraldic sideless surcotes.

On Fiber Arts:
Guntram's Tablet Weaving Page-- A good place to learn some basics about tabletweaving and get ideas for projects.

Double-Faced Tablet Weaving -- An intermediate technique which produces lovely results.

Experiments with a Warp-Weighted Loom -- Learn about producing cloth in this common early-period way.

Elizabethan Embroidery

WormSpit.com -- Gallery of works and lessons by amazing tablet weaver Michael Cook, along with many excellent resources about silk production.

On Music:
Building and Playing the Saxon Lyre

Musica Subterranea -- the friendly and talented dance band we're so happy to have at Maidens each year.

On Calligraphy and Illumination:

Gutenberg School of Scribes -- This is an excellent resource for beginning SCA scribes, with lessons on creating SCA award scrolls.

Medieval Page Layout -- How do they get page proportions figured out, anyway?

Medieval Manuscript Images -- Links to closeups from many different manuscripts.


On Leather:
Making a Simple Medieval Shoe

Beginner Advice for Shoemaking

Footwear of the Middle Ages

Resources from Living History Groups:
The Vikings -- Midwest-based Viking group portraying life from 790-1066, with a 10th Century focus.

Regia Anglorum -- pre-conquest British Isles (950-1066)

Micel Folcland -- our region's branch of Regia Anglorum

The Company of St. George -- This group based out of Europe portrays life in 1467-1477.

A&S Humor:
The Superwide Mystery