Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Changed directions...started on coif instead

I guess this would be a good time to tell you that most of the things I'll be constructing for my Ren-Fest costume are from Margo's Patterns, specifically from her Tudor Lady pattern suite.  She is not a commercial pattern maker, but her creations are extensively researched and about as historically accurate as you can get, realistically.  She gives you almost 200 pages with her patterns on not only how to sew the garments, but also fabric and trim advice, how to wear things, history of the garments, and her reasoning behind her methods.  The total cost of this pattern ended up a little over $50, but it's worth every penny.  You also get access to a blog and message board, and she has a Facebook page....lots of support if you run into trouble!  I've made a lot of stuff from commercial patterns, and that kind of help and inspiration just aren't there.

Anyway, instead of jumping right into doing a mock-up of the smock like I originally planned, I decided to aim for something a little simpler on my first try with Margo's directions-- the Tudor Coif. I just made a copy of the pattern pieces for this project (after cutting out every piece and putting them all in their own envelopes to stay organized) and I'm about half-way finished.  This is what it's eventually going to look like, and what I have done so far:










I've already kind of put this project off for a minute until I finish a project that I was working on while I was collecting supplies and waiting for the pattern to arrive.  It's a knit dress, which I have no idea WHY I'm making it since I don't know when I'll ever wear it, as all I ever wear is a work uniform, sweats, or casual stuff for school.  But I love dresses, and I've been wanting to use this fabric for a while now =)  Soooo....in an effort to finish what I've started, I want to finish this before getting into the Renaissance thing..


    The pattern                             My fabric


I have the bodice front and back done, but I still have to do the lining and sew everything together.  It'll be a few days, since the weekend is coming up and I usually work a lot Friday through Sunday.  But hopefully it'll be done by next weekend, then I can finish my coif and post pictures, then start on the big stuff =)



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