Renaissance Pleasure Fair
My Friends Julia, Alex and I went to the Local Renaissance fair on the last day. The weather forecast said it was going to be 95 degrees that day, so we planned very simple costumes. Blessedly it ended up being in the low 80's. I wore part of my costume from last year (Black cotton chemise, cotton skirt with bumpad) and made a new vest and floral headband.
All of the above photos are from Light Crafter Photography: https://www.facebook.com/LightCrafterPhotographycom?ref=br_tf
My Friend Alex (Red and Black) made her dress! Wen we went to the petting zoo some baby geese were very enamored: http://instagram.com/p/oJs-C0LKxX/
And another silly instagram picture: http://instagram.com/p/oKUp-lrK_f/
My Vest:
I made the pattern using my corset pattern as a base, mixed with parts of a regular bodice sloper. I then made changes to the style lines and added gores based off or references in the Tudor tailor. Two mock-ups later and I was good to go.
The vest is made from a circus themed faux crewel work linen/cotton blend, interfaced with super light weight tricot fusable interfacing. The contrast fabrics are an iridescent patterned taffeta and a patterned silk. The black silk coordinates with a previous costume: https://www.facebook.com/Anachronism.In.Action/photos/a.356930574358672.98808.269295446455519/356939547691108/?type=3&theater making certain elements (skirt, cap, detachable sleeves) in theory interchangeable. The front of the vest closes with hooks and eyes, and has light plastic boning for support. All of the seams and facings are hand prick-stitched down flat. While the vest does fit perfectly over my corset, I found it also fits reasonably well without it because of the loose fit across the bust.
If I get a chance to revisit this (Probably when I plan to wear it next!) I would like to add a linen lining so I can wear it open. And hopefully add some hand real embroidered touches to the print.
Floral Headband:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Izodiea/16th%20century%20costumes/IMG_6103_zps67c2d235.jpg
For the headband I started with a store bought wire headband, and painted it green with nail polish. I got some fake flowers from joannes (yay sales!) and added those, and some paper flowers I have had forever. Most of the flowers I first sewed/wrapped with thread in place; then secured with clear drying craft glue. The paper flowers were painted with gouache. The final touch were some millinery bees I got at a thrift shop years ago.
Here is what it looked like before painting: http://instagram.com/p/oAF3iwrKwO/
We are definitely going to try and go on the last day again next year. People were giving us free stuff all day "I don't want to pack it/take it with my booth home". Also, certain performances got very off-book improvised which ended up being very entertaining and epic. The joust in particular was probably one of the most fun I have ever seen. (Somebody has been watching a lot of Game of Thrones I see...)