Ren Faire costume!!

Very nice! I can't wait to see this one come together!

Dannielle

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote: and I think I will try to imitate this overskirt (dk magenta

I made the gypsy-ish costume a few years ago....would probably do it again if I wanted to go to a faire, but the nearest one is annapolis, MD (which happens to be my "home" fair - started attending at 16, then worked there for a year) and it just isn't something that I want to do with a 6yo and a 2yo. We went once before moving to VA, when we were visiting friends, but the youngest was still unable to walk, and the older was enchanted with the horses and knights and costumes. Now that they can both run us ragged on a normal day, I think I'll just let it pass us by this year....besides, I don't have the time to make the entire family costumes again .

Larisa, wishing you the best of luck

That overskirt style is more 1800s. If you still want to do it, it's easy-peasy. Make your skirt like you ordinarily would but don;t hem it yet. Then sew a piece of twill tape or wide-ish ribbon down along two or more seamlines, sewing only along the edges to make a casing.

Thread a length of ribbon/cord/string/something thru the casing all the way down, and leave a bit sticking out at both ende so you don't lose it. Hem the skirt as usual, catching the bottom end of the ribbon inside the hem. Also, put a few stitches thru the fabric/ribbon/casing sandwich anout 4-6 inches up from the hem. Otherwise, the hem will get all twisty when you pull up the gathers.

Then simply pull up the ribbon/string/whatever till it's gathered like you want it. you can stitch it to the right length inside the waistband or tie it off or pin it if you want to be able to adjust it again later.

------------------------------------------------------ Wendy Z Chicago, IL (Moo) Wench Wear Costumes

Nah... It's just a gathered A line skirt with some lines of ruching up the front! Just cut two skirts the same, the top one up to 6" shorter than the under one, and gather up with festoon blind tape! It'll be fab. Do you use Drea Leed's Corset Pattern generator? I find that takes all the agony out of making a period based bodice when I'm not going the whole hog with a Margo pattern.

I have a pile of those Simplicity and McCall's costume patterns that I want to play with - when I get the time! I'm drowning in weddings at the moment!

You will post photos of it both while sewing and the finished outfit, will you not? Emily

lol, of course I'll post photos!! And thanks for all the tips on the skirt, I was a little lost on that... Actually, reddawn.com has some awsome tips on period things, particuarly rennisance. The tecnique I am using for the bodice is quite interesting, I would suggest taking a look around!! It's actually pretty nice, because that way it's all custom made, which is particuarly good for a young person who isn't going for the whole, "fairy princess" cheapo look, LOL!! It's hard, I'm an (almost) teen, but I am a VERY small person!! BTW, I am aware of the fact the overskirt is not exactly period, but it's just so darn pretty, and no one in alabama cares anyways.... And Larisa, I feel for you, I'm lucky however, the STATE faire is in my town, and it takes like two mins to get to the grounds!

Tahirih, sewing extrodinare, of Florence, AL, whom has a VERY random mind...

ps, just to give and idea of how early it is, ours comes in the second-last weekend in October, but actually this is good, bc usually I'm down to the wire if I start it during October/September/August. Plus with this summer, I won't have school, which equals more sewing time...!