A couple of weeks ago, I showed you all how I took some old clothes from the thrift store and turned them into a wench outfit to wear to the Renaissance fair.
Are you ready to make something from scratch???
Let me give some suggestions how to go about sewing a custom made outfit.
The people who work and perform at Ren Faires usually have a strict dress code to follow for authenticity, but attendees can dress pretty much how ever they want and do! Below are patterns of mine that are currently in the Simplicity catalog. Although you can find lots of good used patterns on line and, of course, patterns by other people ;-).
Are you ready to make something from scratch???
Let me give some suggestions how to go about sewing a custom made outfit.
The people who work and perform at Ren Faires usually have a strict dress code to follow for authenticity, but attendees can dress pretty much how ever they want and do! Below are patterns of mine that are currently in the Simplicity catalog. Although you can find lots of good used patterns on line and, of course, patterns by other people ;-).
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This is a me playing the Duchess in a production of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta "The Gondoliers".
OK ... a brief bit of background. My bachelor's degree is in classical singing and from time to time I perform in local theater groups where I sometimes costume as well. This time I only made my own costume. (I did help sew some other costumes, too ... please don't think I sat by and watched while others slaved away) The costumer for this show decided to create a whole new set of costumes for the ladies chorus who are all dressed like Italian peasants. (Hats off to my friends and fellow costumers Gaye Freese and Denise Young!!!) If you want to know the whole plot click HERE. Anyway, she was using the bodice patterns from a few of my designs that were out at the time ...
And if you haven't heard me say this before, I think costuming for amateur theater is, in many ways, harder than professional. Partially because usually the costumer has a full time job in addition to the full time job of costuming a musical production.
... Well, we were into rehearsals the week before opening and not all the costumes were finished yet. And one of the things that was hanging people up was all the seam clipping, grading and turning that all my bodice patterns required. Everyone was working so hard and was so tired. I forgot to tell you that the costumer was also a member of the cast!
Well, anyway this got me to thinking ... I decided I needed to create a Renfaire costume that would be easy and quick. Both skirts gather up with a drawstring at the waist. The bodice has a lining, interfacing and boning in the front, but it is constructed by stacking the layers and then sewing binding all around.
OK ... a brief bit of background. My bachelor's degree is in classical singing and from time to time I perform in local theater groups where I sometimes costume as well. This time I only made my own costume. (I did help sew some other costumes, too ... please don't think I sat by and watched while others slaved away) The costumer for this show decided to create a whole new set of costumes for the ladies chorus who are all dressed like Italian peasants. (Hats off to my friends and fellow costumers Gaye Freese and Denise Young!!!) If you want to know the whole plot click HERE. Anyway, she was using the bodice patterns from a few of my designs that were out at the time ...
And if you haven't heard me say this before, I think costuming for amateur theater is, in many ways, harder than professional. Partially because usually the costumer has a full time job in addition to the full time job of costuming a musical production.
... Well, we were into rehearsals the week before opening and not all the costumes were finished yet. And one of the things that was hanging people up was all the seam clipping, grading and turning that all my bodice patterns required. Everyone was working so hard and was so tired. I forgot to tell you that the costumer was also a member of the cast!
Well, anyway this got me to thinking ... I decided I needed to create a Renfaire costume that would be easy and quick. Both skirts gather up with a drawstring at the waist. The bodice has a lining, interfacing and boning in the front, but it is constructed by stacking the layers and then sewing binding all around.
As I said above, it is great for a first time costume maker. This was Debbie Jacobson's first complete costume she ever made and she did a great job and went on to be my assistant for several years. Next to Debbie is Betsy Burger, my design director at Simplicity, wearing the actual coat from my men's pirate costume and me hamming it up.
We were on our way to my local Renaissance Faire.
But OH! I'm supposed to be telling YOU how to make a costume. There is a lot of really good information out there.
Check out the information at the Renaissance Faire Website.
Here's good article by Deborah H. Schreiben on the subject.
And another good one at Faire Ladies, Faire Lords, but I think they may be selling ready to wear costumes, too.
Make sure to look at lots of other people's costumes before putting money down on any fabric.
I would love for you to use one of my patterns, but you don't have to.
But, make your own if you can. That way no one else will be wearing what you're wearing!
IN the next installment of RenFaire Wear ... I will talk about my very involved Ladies Tudor gown and underpinnings.
We were on our way to my local Renaissance Faire.
But OH! I'm supposed to be telling YOU how to make a costume. There is a lot of really good information out there.
Check out the information at the Renaissance Faire Website.
Here's good article by Deborah H. Schreiben on the subject.
And another good one at Faire Ladies, Faire Lords, but I think they may be selling ready to wear costumes, too.
Make sure to look at lots of other people's costumes before putting money down on any fabric.
I would love for you to use one of my patterns, but you don't have to.
But, make your own if you can. That way no one else will be wearing what you're wearing!
IN the next installment of RenFaire Wear ... I will talk about my very involved Ladies Tudor gown and underpinnings.
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