Every few years I have to make new costumes for my kids. I am hoping that is at the end as they are full grown people now. My son’s costume really did need a remake, but my daughter did have some room yet for hers. However…they both wanted new costumes this year, and I, of course, procrastinated until basically the last minute.
My daughter wanted a pirate costume, but not the sexy-vixen piratess, but the bad-ass I-will-use-my -cutlass-on-you piratess.
The costume was to be comprised of (I say “was” as this was bare bones for this first year and will have add-ons next year):
- Leather vest
- Baggy Pants
- Bone Necklace
- Bandolier for little blades
- Bracers for forearms
- Headscarf or hat
- long jacket
I used this inspiration picture that she found to base the look off of, but let me tell you, there were many pictures she sent me so having to narrow it down was a challenge.
Fitted leather vest
In order to do a fitted vest, I made a duct tape dressform of her top to be able to make a pattern. I still did 3 separate vests out of canvas fabric before landing on something that mostly fit. It is still a little loose, but if she wears a top underneath it then she has some room for that. I added a leather applique on the front and back, which matched a copper-colored linen I purchased for the pants.
Linen blousey pants
For the pants I drafted a pattern that I thought would fit a bit looser/longer in the crotch area, but that ended up being a bit tighter than needed. I did not have enough linen to make the wide pants, so one side is on the wrong grain-line of the fabric. Then I had to add cuffs to the bottom and didn’t have enough, but found an embroidered silk that matched both the black and copper. Serendipity! Matchy-Matchy!
Sweater knit shawl/wrap
Zero sewing on this one. I came across a loose sweater knit remnant that seemed like it would make a good addition to the costume (i.e. Matchy-Matchy!). It can be wrapped around the waist and then used for a cover-up if needed. The weave is pretty loose, so not great for warmth.
Feather-engulfed hat
Next she wanted a hat. Ideally, this would have been a wide brimmed hat. I found this hat at Target. I had some feathers left over from other projects that I hot glued to the band and then put a piece of silk over the top. She asked if they were real feathers. Yes, child…real feathers. The hat was a little too big for her small head, so I added some Kleenex inside the inside band, which is what we used to do with our cowboy hats if they didn’t fit perfectly.
Arm bracers
The bracers were a mixture of leather scraps I put on a fabric base, and then grommets for lacing. I have lots of leather scraps, so this seemed like it would help use some of them up. I placed the leather with a pretty strong 2-sided tape so they wouldn’t shift around too much in the sewing.
For the future…
I did not get the coat finished, but I do have black wool, so I will work on it during the year to get it done in time for next year. It will have to be lined on top at least, as wool is scratchy. It is always hit or miss whether or not they will need coats. She does have a peasant blouse that fits her that she can wear underneath the vest for added warmth, if needed.
I also did not get the bone necklace done either. I do have the clay to make it, so I will try to get that done soon so it doesn’t dry out before trying to get it done next year at the last minute.
Then the bandolier. She does have a set of three throwing knives, and next year she can wear actual weapons to the Ren Fest (have to be 18 years old), but they have to be peace-tied. Maybe I will make it so she can wear her throwing knives and then figure out how to peace-tie them, otherwise they zip-tie them which is not ascetically pleasing.
Overall this year’s Renaissance Festival garb was well-received by her. She was super excited when she tried it on, as it was what she wanted.
I am hoping that next year I can start making some stuff for hubs and I, but we shall see!
