The Singing Costumer

This is review of RH017, 14th Century Kirtle or  Cotehardie. (Link to buy this patten at the end) I ordered it to make a new dress for the 2015 Medieval Fair of Norman. I had been playing a princess for many years, but decided on changing it up this year. I wanted to be a Bard, a poet/singer/general performer. Naturally, I could not wear the Princess gowns of years past.  It came in a timely fashion. I knew it had a booklet of historical notes, I didn't know it was going to come with a textbook! Seriously, this booklet is 15 pages long (including historical notes, bibliography, actual construction, and a section on period stiches) and is in an easy to digest format. The pattern is on regular paper, not the usual tissue paper, which I appreciated. I had trouble with setting the sleeves, but it was my own fault. I made it oversized purposefully to adjust down to my exact size, and didn't quite adjust the sleeves to match correctly the first time. My own fault. I will pos...

Let me just start by telling you how much I love my robe. Last winter, I wore it at least 2 times a week. I feel like a classic Hollywood starlet, going to hair and make-up before shooting the first scene of the day. This soft, smooth quilting cotton feels (and looks) more like cotton sateen; it has a subtle sheen to it. The floral print is just right. The colors are beautiful, but not too pastel and saccrine. The print is big and bold, while the fact that it is a floral keeps it feminine. A summer short-sleeve version is planned at some time, perhaps in a solid silk (or nice polyester, because we're on a budget here, people!) with a quilted yolk. If I ever do make another long-sleeve version, I would probably reduce the volume in the sleeves. They're just a hair too crazy and floppy. The large pockets can come in handy. And just as an aside, cats love to attack any long, swooping skirt. Ask me how I know. I used a retro 1940's pattern reprint Butterick 5152. Th...

Now for the Almost-Buttercup part of the story. One year, a young college student went to a Halloween concert at UCO's Jazz Lab, at which patrons were encouraged to wear costumes (including a costume contest at intermission). At the last minute, she decided to enter the contest. Not wanting to be just any generic princess, she decided her dress was close enough to pass as Buttercup's riding dress. She furiously tried to think of some way to get that across. When the announcer called her name, she stood up, curtsied, and very quietly said "As you wish". Approximately one person understood the reference. Fast forward several years. She is going to attend her first official comic convention, Dallas Fan Expo. And who was listed among the celebrity guests but Westley himself, Cary Elwes! She and her roommate and a friend immediately decided to book a photo op with Elwes. Of course, costumes are a must. The roommate choose to be Inigo Montoya, the friend w...

My first wig experience was not great. It was way too small and tangled very easily. But that's what you get a cheap eBay wig. I have had my eye on Arda wigs for some time. The company was founded by cosplayers for cosplayers, so I had some hope for a good quality wig. I needed a short wig for a male version of the character Harley Quinn from the Batman series. I chose a Derek wig in Yellow Blonde. It came rather quickly, even though I bought it during a busy time, during a sale. I was very pleased with it. Princess Joker, Robin Lord Taylor (The Penguin from Gotham), Prince Poison Ivan, and Prince Harvey Quinn attack poor Princess Batman It is thick and soft, and while it looks shiny in the photo op we did, it is not too shiny in real life. The above photo is more true to real life in normal lighting.  The only trouble I had was adjusting the wig cap to be more comfortable, and that had nothing to do with the wig itself. I would (and probably will) buy from Ard...