Ren Faire costume, last update

So!  We went to the Tennessee Renaissance Fair a few weeks ago, and I have forgotten to post pictures until now.  It was astonishingly and refreshingly cool the weekend that we went, which meant that I got to wear my cloak without getting hot.  I meant to take more pictures, but it was a lot more crowded this year than last year and I tend to get overwhelmed in crowds, so mainly just didn’t want to add an extra “thing” (taking pictures).  Not a good excuse, but whatever.  Most of these pictures below were taken right before we left, actually (except this one, which was taken at Castle Gwynn).

renfaire

So!  Here is the costume.  I made the skirt out of sheets from Southern Thrift.  I made the brown dress part from a size 4XL dress I found, also at Southern Thrift; I cut it down the middle, hemmed both sides, added eyelets to the top, and took in the sides.  I made the cloak last year, of course.  I made the waist cincher from a roll of leather…cut my pieces, added eyelets, and then found a book of renaissance designs on archive.gov, printed one out, and traced it onto the leather.  I ended up stitching MOST of it, and then adding some gold highlights.  Also threw together a quick belt made of the same leather, for carrying around my pouch (made from deer skin leather), and the dagger and mug that I bought on-site.

renfaire detailrenfaire full tworenfaire full

SO!  I thought it turned out really well!!  And I would really like to be able to wear this in public without going to LARPing events.  Maybe we should start taking road trips to ren faires in nearby cities.  I hear Atlanta has a pretty great one, actually…..

Renaissance Fair plans

OK guys, I’m sort of a dork.  I realize and embrace this fact, and in the interest of caring less about what people think of me and more about doing things that make me happy, I am making myself a cloak to wear to this year’s Ren Fair.  Which starts in a couple of weeks.

I just found a pattern online and downloaded it.  Next, I need to acquire seven yards of fabric to make this.  JoAnn’s has a 50% off fabric coupon which I will be using, unless I find one that is on sale and cheaper without the coupon.  I’m wanting to do a very light-weight fabric…probably a cotton or linen.  It’s going to be white.  I am already excited.

The reason I want to dress up for this at all is because the last time I went, I wore regular clothes and was SO jealous of all the people in their beautiful costumes.  So THIS time, I’m not going to feel left out.

Here’s a drawing of the cloak ——

cloak

So just imagine this in white, with a white cotton dress underneath.  I’ve wanted to wear my brown cloak to the Ren Fair before, but it’s too heavy since the fair is always in May.  I figure a nice light white one will actually help though – with keeping my skin from being sunburned, and reflecting the sun (etc etc).

OK, will stop going on about this now.  Will also post updates…….  😀