In the last RenFaire blog post I showed you how to turn some old clothes from the thrift store into a lovely wench outfit for a lady to wear to the Renaissance Faire. (blog June 14) Today I will show you how to dress the lucky guy who will accompany this wench.
For the guy's outfit I started with a slightly over sized shirt ($3.50). I found an off white one with loosely woven fabric so it doesn't look too modern, a slightly over sized pair of brown pants ( $3) and a tan cotton unlined sport's coat ($5.25). Earth tones are a safe choice for most Renaissance costumes. I, also, picked up a woman's knit striped top ($3), a woman's floppy black hat ($1.50) and how could I pass up the black scarf with the the scull and cross bones on it ($2.25).
Cost $18.50 ... purchased on the 25% off day, of course.
And as with the lady's clothing ... into the washer these things go, because thrift store stuff smells funny. But, before washing I carefully pick off the chest pocket on the shirt.
Cost $18.50 ... purchased on the 25% off day, of course.
And as with the lady's clothing ... into the washer these things go, because thrift store stuff smells funny. But, before washing I carefully pick off the chest pocket on the shirt.
First, I removed all the buttons from the shirt and sewed up the front a little more than half way.
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I pressed back the remaining front edge up to the collar, stitched it down, sewed on some 1/2" gold rings and "laced" up the front with some rayon string.
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I am so sorry I forgot to take a photo before I went at the cotton sports coat with my scissors, but trust me, it was a standard men's sport's coat with a lapeled collar. There really is no way to turn in into a pirate coat, but a vest ... yes.
I cut off the collar and lapel, then trimmed away the front edge 1 3/4" all the way down.
To finish the raw edge of the neck and front I did a blanket stitch the same as the thrift store wench's outer bodice. (blog June 14)
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I decided to keep the pockets, because guys need pockets, but it was too long so I trimmed off about 1 1/2" and plan to hem it.
I used a catch stitch for the hem, because it is the fasted way to hold up that raggy hem.
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This is where things stand.
I made jagged cuts on the sleeve caps which make them curl up ... RATS.
And he just looks too tidy ... I need to dirty him up.
I made jagged cuts on the sleeve caps which make them curl up ... RATS.
And he just looks too tidy ... I need to dirty him up.
I did some tests first on the collar that was cut off with burnt umber acrylic craft paint, water and a sponge brush to try out some effects.
I lightly smear paint around the edges of the hem and front, fading it out. Water can be used when the paint is still wet to blend and lighten it.
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The paint helps stiffen those jagged sleeve caps, so I hope they will stay straight.
I try to think where a coat would naturally get dirty. Where someone's hand goes in and out of a pocket seems like one of those places.
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Next the pants ....
First, I've got to get rid of the creases down each leg. Spraying with vinegar before ironing will get rid of most hard creases, even those annoying ones left in fabric after being on a bolt for a long time.
Next, I ask my pirate to try on the pants and sit down. I pin pieces of 3/4" elastic around his leg just under the knee.
I draw a line across the pant leg 1 1/4" below the marker pins. Be sure both legs are the same, unless your pirate actually has legs of differing lengths.
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You can see the before and after here.
I place a few small pins just along the bottom edge of the elastic. This is also a good time to mark a waist alteration, if needed.
Finish the raw edge with serging or zig-zag. Fold up 1 1/4" and stitch a casing that is 1" wide. Pull the elastic through this casing. Pin or sew to fit.
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A pirate needs some kind of a hat ...
Here is the woman's floppy black straw hat I bought.
I bought this striped shirt for added color, not really sure what it would be used for, and now I know. I cut it off right below the sleeves.
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Tack up 3 sides and it's a tricorn, but this pirate is not turning out to be a tricorn wearing pirate.
It makes a great head wrap. I cut it in the middle of the back panel, not along one of the seams to avoid having a seam showing in the front when being worn.
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The shirt should be tucked into the pants. Pirates or other men in the 18th Century and earlier didn't wear under pants like we do. The shirts were long and kind of served the job of underwear. They were, at least, easier to wash than the pants would have been.
And, you know ... this craze to be a pirate has been around a long time. Take a look at this photo from a 1920's masquerade party!
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