I've always loved dagging - even before I knew what it was called.

The hideous orange brocade used to be Gillian's livingroom curtains. I bought them from her when she got new ones, and far more tasteful ones, and combined them with the pink to make this charming little number.

Gillian was so amused by the result that she had the picture enlarged and turned into a jigsaw puzzle which she presented to me as a 12th Night gift the following January (by handing me a green silk handkerchief full of pieces and telling me I would find out what the picture was when I assembled it).

Although Gillian also gave me a large print of the photo to go with it, it was unfortunately shreded by the glass from it's frame while being transported to a costume convention.

This costume has been through some alterations since the picture was taken. I've gained about 50 pounds and, along the line, several pairs of hose have become too small to remain intact (one pair split across both 'cheeks' when I bowed to High Table - with my back to a room full of people - thank goodness for all that hanging fabric in the sleeves!) and the doublet no longer closes around me, despite adding a piece into each side seam.

Some day, I will re-make the matching boots and finish altering the doublet and making the matching cloak (there was a lot of fabric in those curtains).... some day.