A Very Merry Medieval Christmas Fantasy

My first medieval fair dress was made in maybe 2010 or 2011? I don’t really remember. I was part of the cast for the local Medieval Fair for many, many years, and this was my first costume. I wore it for several years and it served me well.  But by 2015, it was looking a little worse for wear. The trim around the neckline was getting ruined by this one particular necklace I often wore with it. (I know, I know. Be sensible and quit wearing jewelry that destroys costumes.) I was going to be walking in a Christmas parade with the Medieval Fair cast, and I just thought it needed a bit of an upgrade. And if I could give it a bit of holiday pizazz and bling, all the better. 

    I first removed the damaged trim. At Joann Fabrics, I found some really pretty red and gold brocade. It complemented the red main fabric and the gold lining of the sleeves rather well. So I bought a few yards of it and got to work. I decided to use the brocade as a trim, basically.  I don’t remember exactly how I did it now, 6 years later, but I used it on the neckline, the hem, the edge of the sleeves and to make a belt. I have seen several examples of 12th century manuscripts that seem to show embroidery in these areas. If I had wanted to be more historically accurate, I could have actually embroidered it. But there weren’t any fashion history police at the parade, so I was okay. It turned out so lovely. I really enjoyed walking and dancing in the parade with my friends. I have exactly one photo from that day. Anybody else terrible at remembering to get pictures of events? Just me then? Ok. Good to know.

    A few years later, I wanted to make a new underdress for this ensemble. I had some plain yellow cotton in my stash from somewhere. I don’t remember the pattern I used, but it’s a simple tunic dress. I bound the neckline and the sleeves hems in red bias tape. Near the neckline, I appliqued a little lace rose motif. I had a big scrap of red lace with roses in my stash, and I just cut out one motif.  This part of the costume is much more “Christmas Fantasy” than historically inspired. Which is not a bad thing, in my opinion. I think it’s sweet. I really need to wear this more. At least this blog post gives me an excuse to pull it out again for pictures. 

    As usual for my Medieval looks, I covered my head. Because I’m a lady. And a lady has got to have her jewels. I have a fibula brooch to fasten the front slit. I got it on Ebay, maybe? It was years ago now. And I have a pretty little stick pin for my veil that I got at the Medieval Fair of Norman, maybe? Again, it was so long ago. And I bought this wig just for my medieval looks.  It’s from Amazon. (More Medieval looks will be coming, possibly in the spring). 

This costume is special to me because it was made by our queen of the fair, who has since passed. Every time I wear it, I remember her and think about her husband and her son (my best friend).

Yours in hard work, creativity, and a dash of Pixie Dust

            

            Sarah