Andrea Schewe Design
  • Home
  • Costumes
    • Reader's Gallery
    • Fantasy Costumes
    • Theatrical
    • Historic >
      • Easier to make
    • International
    • Costumes for Kid's and Babies
  • Crafts
    • Home Decor >
      • Pillows
    • Fashion Accessories
    • Doll Clothes
    • For Kids and Babies
  • Blog
    • Past Blogs by subject >
      • My patterns by number
      • Sewing basics
      • Personal sewing Projects
      • Fashion History
      • Fun and funny stuff
      • Guest Bloggers
      • Crafts and Home Dec
  • Links
  • Contact

RenFaire Wear part 3 - thrift store PIRATE

6/27/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
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.
Picture
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.

Picture
First, I removed all the buttons from the shirt and sewed up the front a little more than half way.
Picture
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.
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.
Picture
I cut off the collar and lapel, then trimmed away the front edge 1 3/4" all the way down.
Picture
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)
Picture
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.
Picture
I used a catch stitch for the hem, because it is the fasted way to hold up that raggy hem.
Picture
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.

Picture
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.
Picture
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.
Picture
The paint helps stiffen those jagged sleeve caps, so I hope they will stay straight.
Picture
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.
Next the pants ....
Picture
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.
Picture
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.
Picture
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.
Picture
You can see the before and after here.
Picture
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.
Picture
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.
A pirate needs some kind of a hat ...
Picture
Here is the woman's floppy black straw hat I bought.
Picture
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.
Picture
Tack up 3 sides and it's a tricorn, but this pirate is not turning out to be a tricorn wearing pirate.
Picture
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.
Picture
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!
Picture
1 Comment
Martha
6/27/2013 06:20:09 am

What a handsome pirate you have there. Love the shirt!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    From Andrea 

    I am a commercial pattern maker who is now "sewing over 50"!
    I love to sew and hope to encourage others to come back to sewing.
    The water is fine!!

    Archives

    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013

    Archives by Subject

    To search for blog posts in specific categories, use the drop down menu above by hovering over the word "Blog"

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    RSS Feed

    Andrea Schewe participates in Amazon's associates program.