The first Renaissance set
For Halloween in 2007, I worked up the nerve to try my hand at Renaissance garb. I read up online, and thought that I might try semi-period construction techniques. After seeing some of the absolutely drool-worthy works posted up, I knew that no Simplicity of McCall's princess-seamed pattern would hold a candle to them. And as an amateur Medievalist / anthropologist, I couldn't wear something that screamed modern. I suppose it also has to do with the fact I spent eight glorious years dancing hula, and die a little inside every time someone asks if we wear coconut shell bras .
Along the way I found Dawn's costuming pages and thought I'd died and gone to heaven. With her stepwise instructions on creating the basic Renaissance woman look, I grabbed my tape measure and ordered broadcloth from JoAnn. Yeah, again I know this isn't exactly period, but costuming on a budget without a car to go anywhere outside of town sucks.
I wanted to make a chemise, boned bodice, and two skirts. The outer skirt was made with a heavy aqua poly/cotton blend, which probably began life as the remnants of someone's upholstery project. Certainly, the skirt weighed at least five pounds, and was constantly sagging despite the sturdy waistband. On the other hand, it had a ton of body and I could use the selvage edge as a hem (I despise hemming yards of fabric. Too many memories of sewing hems and elastic channels in 4 yards of fabric per dance skirt )
I ordered rigilene boning from eBay, and was chagrined to see it spring back into a coil after cutting it off the roll. I experimented with some ugly stiff felt as interlining, and bound the edges of the bodice with black satin ribbon. Stiff fingers and many needle-punctures after, I can't imagine how people made clothing before the advent of sewing machines. Then again, no tv or internet DOES free up more time, and people actually made a living as tailors...
In the end, I produced a lovely basic white chemise, which I still use as a nightgown in winter, and two decent skirts with a waistband. Unfortunately, the bodice ended up being rather short, and ultimately didn't offer much in the way of upwards support (I'm on the small side of average, I dread to think what would have happened were I bigger).
I did win first place in my department costume contest, which I'm proud of, so I suppose it wasn't bad for a first venture. Apologies for the horrible image quality, but it's the best one I can find at the moment that doesn't involve me laughing my head off, or amongst other people I can't crop out and whose permission I don't have to post.
Along the way I found Dawn's costuming pages and thought I'd died and gone to heaven. With her stepwise instructions on creating the basic Renaissance woman look, I grabbed my tape measure and ordered broadcloth from JoAnn. Yeah, again I know this isn't exactly period, but costuming on a budget without a car to go anywhere outside of town sucks.
I wanted to make a chemise, boned bodice, and two skirts. The outer skirt was made with a heavy aqua poly/cotton blend, which probably began life as the remnants of someone's upholstery project. Certainly, the skirt weighed at least five pounds, and was constantly sagging despite the sturdy waistband. On the other hand, it had a ton of body and I could use the selvage edge as a hem (I despise hemming yards of fabric. Too many memories of sewing hems and elastic channels in 4 yards of fabric per dance skirt )
I ordered rigilene boning from eBay, and was chagrined to see it spring back into a coil after cutting it off the roll. I experimented with some ugly stiff felt as interlining, and bound the edges of the bodice with black satin ribbon. Stiff fingers and many needle-punctures after, I can't imagine how people made clothing before the advent of sewing machines. Then again, no tv or internet DOES free up more time, and people actually made a living as tailors...
In the end, I produced a lovely basic white chemise, which I still use as a nightgown in winter, and two decent skirts with a waistband. Unfortunately, the bodice ended up being rather short, and ultimately didn't offer much in the way of upwards support (I'm on the small side of average, I dread to think what would have happened were I bigger).
I did win first place in my department costume contest, which I'm proud of, so I suppose it wasn't bad for a first venture. Apologies for the horrible image quality, but it's the best one I can find at the moment that doesn't involve me laughing my head off, or amongst other people I can't crop out and whose permission I don't have to post.