Last fall, a friend gifted me a rommelpot (literally, rumble-pot), also called a friction drum. Rommelpots can be dated back to at least the 16th century (citation). I was excited to have this unusual musical instrument, and was determined to learn a song to play with it. This naturally (for me) led to the need to accurately portray a 16th century peasant while playing the rommelpot. Luckily for me, no musical talent besides rhythm is necessary for playing it. Boy, was I naive!
For this entry, I created a peasant woman’s ensemble from the skin out. The outfit is entirely hand-sewn using period appropriate materials and methods. Included in the outfit is a linen shift, red sleeveless kirtle, black wool partlet, mustard yellow wool pin-on sleeves, a linen apron, and black wool hose.
I also learned a traditional rommelpot song and performed it (not very well!) in Dutch, and played my rommelpot.
It was such a fun and challenging project, and it really took me out of my comfort zone!
Superb. It’s so great to see the “skin-out” process.
“Skin out” in an accurate manner has always been a goal of mine, so I love to see it done so well. The fact that it was inspired by the instrument is just excellent!
I love this whole outfit and the rommelpot song! I hadn’t heard one played before, so it was fascinating to hear the sound it makes…so cool! The video for the outfit was awesome, too; I love seeing how it all comes together!
I love the many different layers of this project and how it all worked together to create this perfect little moment in time. Really well done.
Well done with such an immersive project starting simply with a gifted instrument.
This was charming. I have heard rommelpots before, but I never realized they had their own songs!
You did a lovely job. The song, the look, everything together creates a transporting moment.
You look like you jumped right out of a Breughel painting! It’s easy to imagine you there at the peasant’s wedding feast, adding the rummelpot sounds to the general merriment. Thank you for being brave and trying something new – the results are pleasing, indeed.