Winter Break

I’m a little bummed out today because I just learned that there isn’t going to be a Christmas event at Middlefiare this year. That means it’s going to be more that three months before I go to another renaissance festival. =(

I am however, very excited about the Four Winds Faire coming up in March. I’ve never been to this one before, but it looks like a lot of fun. Plus I have a nice long break to work on new costume ideas.

http://www.fourwindsfaire.com/

Lesson 4: Purse / Hat

Our Day at Middlefaire

Middlefaire was a lot of fun. It's a small festival, but it has a lot of charm. There is a tavern with great music and FREE BEER. I guess they don't have a liquar licence. There's also plenty of little shops and a whole days worth of intertaining shows.

My sister and I are posing here with a couple of nice gentleman we met at the fair. We are both wearing chemises that we made ourselves with waist cinches like we made in lesson three. I also added a gathered shirt from lesson two to give my outfit a little more color.

I didn't catch this guys name, but he is part of the fire show that they put on when the sun goes down. This is a sneak preview they gave us earlier in the day.

This weekend was apparently pirate weekend so there was lots of great pirate costumes on parade.



Since Middlefaire is a relatively small festival you really get a better chance to meet and talk to people. Kind of like how everyone in a small town knows each other. This is Wanda and she and her husband sell wooden swords and shields at different festivals. She also gave us some good costume tips.

Even though it rained most of the day, we still had fun taking refuge in the different shops. Here we are listing to some pirate poetry from a gentleman who goes by Blackbead. He has a book coming out called "Raising the Black Flag"

Lesson 3: Waist Cincher

Materials needed:

1. One to Two Types of Thick Fabric (Since you don't need much fabric for this project I usually save money by looking through the scrap bins at hobby stores)
2. Trim that goes Nicely with the Fabric

3. Large Brass or Silver Eyelets (These can be hard to find sometimes so you may have to ask someone at a hobby store)

4. Eyelet Kit (A lot of times the eyelets will come with a kit, if not make sure you get the right size kit to go with your eyelets)
5. Plastic Boning with Extra Fabric Attached (Also hard to find by yourself and you might have to get someone to cut it for you)
6. Strong cord or leather strip
7. Rubber Mallet or Plan Hammer(Rubber Mallet really does work best; found one in Wal-mart plumbing section for $6)
8. Seam Ripper

Middlefaire in Hillsboro, TX

If you happen to live in the central Texas area be sure to check out the Middlefaire renaissance festival in Hillsboro.

For information visit http://www.middlefest.com/

Lesson 2: Skirt

Living the Dream

This is my cousin David taking a short nap between shows at Medieval Times. He is one of the King’s trumpeters so he gets a lot of time in the spotlight. Some people think the Knights at Medieval Times are the stars of the show, but to me the real heroes are the trumpet guys. If it wasn’t for them I’d have no idea when something interesting was about to happen. =)

Dusty in Arizona

Dusty was kind enough to share this picture of the costume she wore to the renaissance fair in Apache Junction, AZ. The shirt and mask were both purchased at the event and the rest of the outfit consists of an underbust corset and a skirt from Target. I think Dusty’s outfit is a great example of how a good costume can be created with just your current wardrobe and a little imagination. Thanks Dusty!

Lesson 1: Blouse

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?

I love the atmosphere of a renaissance festival. The artistry, the shows, the food, and don’t forget the ale, all come together to make a fun filled day. However, what really draws me to these events are the costumes. Some people go all out with their attire and it really creates a feast for the eyes. Dressing up for the fair helps to enhance the overall experience and puts you in a fun, whimsical state of mind. The costumes I make are a little bit on the plain side, but I find they still do the trick.

I’m not a professional seamstress, nor have I ever taken a sewing class, but I love experimenting with costume making. I’ll share what I’ve learned and please feel free to share back.