Skip to main content

Make it blue, make it pink! Medieval Edition

 Blue and pink is a common color combination you will find in Medieval manuscripts. It's not so common today, unless one is Disney-bounding Princess Aurora at Disneyland. Which is something I would do. Probably while singing “I Wonder” and “Once Upon A Dream”. Anyway, back to the topic at hand.  This outfit is partially new, and partially new-to-me.


The over dress and hood were made by a dear friend, and later passed to me. The Queen of my Medieval Fair made these two pieces so many years ago. They fit me pretty well, only a little bit big, so I have worn this ensemble to a few medieval and renaissance fairs. I had to wear a dress under it, of course. The only option I had in my costume wardrobe that worked was a cream dress. I made it for this costume, but I was never a fan of the look. So I decided I needed a new under dress.



I searched my fabric stash for a good option. Eventually, I found a good length of plain blue cotton. (I am happy to say that I have used most of the big pieces in stash.) I used Period Patterns No. 16, view III. I made an adult size small. The sizing is pretty generous, I would say. The small might even be a bit too big for me. But it’s definitely not unwearable. I serged each piece with a pastel variegated thread, just for fun. No one else will see it, but it brings me great joy to have such a clean interior. And of course, I had to add my personalized label.



This pattern includes gussets under the underarms. I have to say, I was most pleased with my work on the gussets. I did have concerns that the skirt would be too narrow for my taste. So I decided to check first. I sewed the sleeves and the gusset with a regular stitch length. Then, I sewed down the sides with looser basting stitches. I tried it on, and found that the skirt needed more volume to balance with the pink overdress. So out of the remaining fabric, I cut two matching long triangles. Then I ripped out the basting stitches and inserted them into the side seams. I am much more pleased with it now.



To finish this blog post, I have to tell a story about the last time I wore this out. I was at Scarborough Fair in Texas with my sister and some friends. I was walking around, minding my own business, perhaps heading to the joust? A young girl was directly in front of me, walking the same direction I was heading. We were fairly close together. She turned around and yelled “Peasant!” basically right in my face. Like I said, I was wearing this costume and clearly dressed as a peasant. She was so embarrassed that she “insulted” me and explained that she was talking to her friend. It was too funny.


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


Sarah






Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pirate Belle, part 2

YouTube video associated with this blog The base pieces for this costume are not complicated. I used Simplicity 3677 for the blouse and the pants. The fabric I bought at Joann Fabrics and was exactly what I was hoping to find. It's a light and airy cotton gauze-type fabric. Also, I am in love with the delicate lace I found at Hobby Lobby that I used to trim the wrists. The blouse has elastic bands at the cuffs and a drawstring neckline. It is incredibly over sized, but the fabric gathers under corsets and pants nicely because it was so soft and light. The pants are a tan corduroy and also have elastic in the cuffs. (Did I mention Historical Accuracy TM was not a priority for this costume?) I still think it's beautiful. And now, for a few accessories. These make or break a costume, especially for a pirate. So many little things must be present for the costume to really say “Pirate”. This little hat was such a blast to create. I used a Yaya Han pattern, McCall's 7643. It ha...
Post a Comment
Read more

In My Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room Dress

My Youtube video associated with this blog post  I am very pleased to present my Tiki Room dress. The Dress Shop brand from Disney has a 1950's-inspired sundress in this fabric. I do like it, but I don't wear sleeveless dresses. So, I thought I would make my own in a slightly different style. I still wanted a vintage dress, with a tropical vibe as was popular mid century. After much deliberation, I decided on Butterick 5880. It's a reprint of a 1951 pattern. I was so anxious to begin this dress. I don't know why exactly. It's not like I'm heading to Disney any time soon. But sometimes I just “get a bee in my bonnet”, as they say. And I can't do anything else until I scratch that itch. So I thoroughly cleaned my sewing studio, AKA the corner of my bedroom, and set to work. For my first run, I used a 101 Dalmatians bed sheet from the thrift store. It's old and worn, but it was less than $2 and it's a big piece of fabric. For my mock-ups, I don't ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Reconstructing History RH017

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...
Post a Comment
Read more