My Sweetie and I had been like ships passing in the day and night from 1997 to 2001, then it really got better. "Some Enchanted Evening" happened when I was just ready to give up on ever finding anyone for me. We began a relationship and love of creating clothing, costuming and things for our home. He sews, learning from his grandmother when he was a wee lad. Me learning and sewing from the time I was six at my Mother's knee while she was sewing on her old Kenmore. I started with hand sewing doll clothes and by the time I was in Jr Hi I had a back and forth with my "home ec" teacher on how to put in a zipper! Well, my sweetie taught me to use some very old techniques and really rely on my self and my instincts to create an outfit or costume for RenFaire. He has given me so much support. I have helped him, too. Making 35 or 40 buttons for his coat was....well, a pleasure to do. Oh, and making those drop front pants.....
Some of the fabric you see is from an Ebay auction of fabric from a Pirate Movie that was made in 1995, hoping for a sequel. It didn't happen for various reasons. So we got a lovely box stuffed with fabric made in Europe and the Middle East and some of it was "weathered". We still have a lot that we are fighting over to use!
William Blakthorn, above, made his coat of that fabric. Drafted the pattern. Since we were living in Texas at the time, he made the sleeves tie on or can be taken off. And that incredible hat! The hat blank was stiff, but he trimmed it, flipped up the front, made the cockade and added the feathers. I think it is striking that his outfit and feathers compliments the African Grey. If I could have put him in my purse (the parrot!) I would have. He was soooo sweet.
Centaur and Scotia
I drafted all the parts of this outfit. I think it came out well. The chainse, wimple and hat fabric are from the Pirate stash. The fitted bliaud is fabric that I found at Handcock's. I worked on this for three years, adding the beading and trim, the burgundy silk charmuse lining for the angel sleeves, and the purse. It is comfortable to wear compared to a corset or "stays" in the period. Oh, and the guy standing next to me is a real sweetie! He and his wife and kids come every year to this little faire. Don't you love his costume? So clever.
William and Scotia
This is my wedding dress. It is silk shantung from a local really wonderful fabric store that is not there anymore. I got the straw hat blank and added flowers and ribbons. William's outfit was made by him! I am so proud of my Sweetie! I just made the buttons, again.....doesn't he like making buttons?
Captain Scotia and First Mate William
I drafted the petal bodice from a picture and the coat and pants from a movie! The fabric is from the Pirate stash and buttons on the side of the pants are 1" silver with a skull and crossbones on them. I got a straw hat blank and made the tricorn and decorated it with beads and feathers. Who doesn't need a hat with beads and feathers? Sweetie made the cuffs for my boots and belt and holster for my pistol from leather. He works well in leather...;-) He added a waistcoat to his green outfit of beautiful silk brocade. It is lined in silk. The hat is the same in the previous picture. He just made it better! Buttons? Yep, I made the buttons for the waistcoat!
Sir William and the Exotic Slave
Last but definitely not least. I was trolling the intertubes looking for inspiration for an exotic costume that was comfortable and came across this German museum that had a treasure trove of textiles from the mid to late 1800's wearable garments from the Middle East. Looking at all the pieces made me really appreciate traditional garments again. Woven textiles, dying the fabric with natural dyes, embroidery, beading....teaching generation to generation a sense of tradition for your tribe. I think we have lost that.
This ghawazee costume was drafted from a picture. The balloon pants and tunic and turban were made with fabric from my stash and about 30 years old. The overcoat is made with heavy woven, striped cotton and the trim is Guatemalan. It closes with small brass beads and loops. One of the really interesting things was the underarm gusset. It really makes a sleeve and just the garment fit nicer, but this technique has been used for thousands of years, just not anymore. Sir William's costume is 12th century, maybe a noble crusader. The fabric is suedded cotton for the cape, linen for the under tunic and rough cotton for the over tunic and hood. And the trim goes on and on forever. Imagine making all that trim by hand! He dyed the rayon lining for the over tunic and cape with blended colors. I think it came our perfect. The picture of the cloak does not do justice to the color, it is really a dark blue green. Don't you love that outrageous helmet?
Knight Errant
We do have to help each other into and out of our outfits at times. But, it is fun to just throw your cares away for a day and spent time in another century!
P.S. My Sweetie wants me to enter a local Canned Pickle Contest. I do make some killer Bread and Butter Pickles. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?