DIY costume squee!
I'm such a dunderhead. I realized I already KNOW about this Greek costume thing. I wrote how it went together, yanno...in the book.
But after some internet searching and poking (my Google-fu is strong today!) I figured out that I actually DON'T need a pattern for this costume. It's remarkably simple. There are directions here and here, and after looking at many images of ancient Greeks, I can see exactly how it's done. Just like I wrote, yanno, in the book, (headdesk) it's one large piece of fabric, draped and pinned appropriately. With the way fabric comes nowandays, I may have to fudge it and use two pieces sewn up the sides. I can get the length, it's the width. The fabric used is actually wider than it is long. A peplos is in the offing! I was considering doing the one with sleeves, but if I do the plain pelpos, sleeveless, it'll be easier. I can cover the flabby arms with the wrap. Don't ask me if it's going to be a Doric or Ionic peplos, because I'm not getting THAT into it. The foldy part has its own name, and how long it is depends on what century you're talking about.
And the wrap thing is called a himation, worn by both men and women. Doing it this way gives me a chance to embellish it a bit, and it'll really drape nicer than the one from a pattern. I need to sketch it out and figure the cloth.
Then I get to track the cloth, hunt the cloth, trap the cloth...kill the cloth...sew the cloth. I need some warpaint!
When you think about it, it was a really ingenious piece of fashion. You could always wear it, no matter if you gained or lost weight, the thing would ALWAYS fit, just perhaps with a little less drape. And it was pretty darn stylish. And durable, made of linen or light wool - if you took good care of it, could potentially last you for years.
Bonus - I get to scavenge for appropriate pins and jewelry and hair stuff! I think I'll stitch the shoulders anyway, just to be on the safe side.
Squee - new costume! Lookout Philcon, here I come!
I also found some cool free Greek coloring pages that I can print out to give away to kids at events for my goodie bags. And something else to add to my launch raffle basket. Is this awesome or what? There's an Egyptian one too, for when Ankh comes into paperback. Which SHOULD be right around the time of Balticon, which I'm trying to squirm my way into being invited to next year.
I guess I should go and pry some excerpts from Ankh of Isis before Lindsey comes after me with her editorial-ness and reminding me they need to be up on the website ASAP.