Back to sewing!

[LadySeasan]

Hi All!

I haven't been here in quite a long time. I had my daughter last August, and this year has just been wonderful being Mommy. She will be one years old once the MDRF and PARF comes along, so now I am looking to making her possibly 1-2 ensembles.  She is 29" and 20 lbs currently.

Anyone have any resources on baby garb? I am thinking of one upperclass ensemble, and maybe a baby pirate/peasant ensemble.

OH! And here she is, Charlotte Adventure Zimmerman


Oh, and if anyone has any resources on converted wagons to look like renassiance faire wagons/pirate ships to tote her around in, that would be awesome!

[amy]

My baby girl is 20 years not 20 pounds so I'm no help on the garb... but I am GREAT with the ooooo and Ahhhhh over such a sweet cutiepie!   That one will steal your heart with those beautiful big eyes!!!!

[DonaCatalina]

And she is such a cutie pie!

[Lady Kett]

OMG, adorableness, Lady Season!

I can't help, but had to share in the ooo-ahh!

[LadySeasan]

lol, thanks Ladies!

I did make her a tiny little bitty garb for her first time at fair, but she stayed in her moby wrap the whole time

[Rennigirl]

First off  - NOMNONNOM on the baby cheeks and toes!!!!!!  Seasan, she is just beautiful!!!

As far as garb goes - at a year old, both boys and girls would be dressed much the same - in a gown of some sort to make it easy to get to their clouts (diapers).  Kids garb was basically the same as the adult garb too, just smaller...

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Child_in_Renaissance_Garb_with_Apple_(Boston_Public_Library).jpg
http://vintageprintable.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Portrait-Painting-Renaissance-child-with-parrot.jpg

I'm thinking the pirate/peasant would be more comfortable for a one year old and less of a headache for you.  The Big 3 pattern companies have great stuff for the itty bittys!

[Hoowil]

My little ones were in a smock till they could walk. After that I played with making up little garb to match what my wife and I have. My son was in kilts for nearly two seasons, just cause they're easy to make (little ones grow so incredibly fast), and easy to get to the diaper. This was the first year my daughter, now 5, got a real gown instead of simplified miniature peasant garb.

For the wagon, I used our red plastic radio flyer wagon that has a sun screen, and made a new top, and curtains for.

[Cilean]

Awesome Honey, She is as lovely as her Mum!  The Tudor Tailor Ladies are currently doing research on children of our time period for a new book, however they has mentioned they are just finishing one of the last photos for the book!  
They are on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tudortailor  You can see many of the photos they have been researching and some of the clothing they are making for children to test their thoughts and choices!  Is she walking honey? If so? Many gowns of children have 'leading strings' attached to their clothing. I am assuming to help keep track of them!

I would suggest a kirtle of cotton, best part of this is you only need a yard or so of material it is so much fun, make some Smocks and if you put an apron on her? She will be even more adorable than she is now! LOL  When I saw the pearls on her picture I had to include the portrait of an Italian girl, with her own set of pearls.  Coifs are awesome as well.  I liked the wagon in the other picture, many people I know invest in something like that, I turned to Craigslist recently to help a new Mum out and we found a wooden red wagon, oiled it up and she is painting it now, hubby added a lovely white canvas cover, just like the other one showing! 

Here some articles that might help you out!

http://forest.gen.nz/Medieval/articles/baby/sewing.html

http://www.lelandra.com/SCA/Anachronist.htm



They made clothing just as special for the children I have found online:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beothuk/4869889438/in/set-72157594210997118














Photos of Children I have seen in the SCA and such:

Something like this would have been called a Kirtle and you could add sleeves of anything and perhaps a gown if you wanted to be fancy:








So they look cute as can be and they are easy to work with so you can play with fabrics and see what works for your own garb!!

Cilean

[Kate XXXXXX]

What a gorgeous cherub!

Garb?  Keep it simple and keep it comfy!  The fancy garb is all very well, but even those of royal blood didn't wear stuff like that every day!  Wench kit in miniature: frock that looks like a bodice and skirt, and a peasant blouse chemise, with some pretty WASHABLE trim would look fantastic and be easy for you and her.  Make the frock loose like a pinafore dress, give it a big hem, and then you can layer when it's chilly, leave room for growth, and it'll be breezy on hot days.

[Cilean]

I forgot another friend's daughter's clothing, sorry I have boys, I always wanted a girl!





She is precious but you see? You can make'em awesome, and simple at the same time!

Cilean

[LadySeasan]

Thanks so much everyone! These definitely help so much.  I know I should keep it simple, but I just cant resist tiny garb lol. But with her being as active as she is, and pretty much walking now (she is 10 months now). I am going to try to keep it as simple (but cute) as possible.

And oh! Those portraits of the wee ones are to die for!

[operafantomet]

Aaaaaww! She's too cute for words!

I won't add too much to the discussion, as you've gotten excellent feedback already. But I want to suggest adding details which makes the size adjustable, both for comfort and for keeping the garb a season more. Making the skirt longer than needed and fold up the extra length in even tucks all around was popular both in the 16th century and the 19th century. Probably in between too. The good thing about the tuck is not just to be able to adjust the length, but it also stiffens the hem, which makes walking in the skirt easier. Think of it as a light-light-light hoop skirt.

How tucks in skirt hems typically would look:
http://www.adams-gallery.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/Victorian_Girl_with_flowers.JPG

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6172/6207569622_21f901864c_z.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/venezia1/bassano1536-40ven.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/firenze3/bronzinoschoolisabellamaybeprivate.jpg


Number two is to make eventual sleeves tie-ons, so they can be replaced if dirty/damaged or if the weather is too hot. Reversible sleeves can also be smart, so the garb can be varied with simple means.

Number three is to make the shoulder straps longer than needed, so they can be expanded later on. Also, add lacing either in front or at the sides, to adjust the size. 

[LadySeasan]

here is her first gown!

[DonaCatalina]

Adorable...and that's a great style to add to as she grows.

[LadySeasan]

I just need to figure out footwear, and headwear. She is a walking, talking toddler now. I am sure she won't want to sit in her stroller the whole time