Faireware help for the whole family?

[Sk8ermaiden]

Hello all! I am currently sewing my 2 year old's first garb. 

I've got a black (yeah, I know  ) chemise done so far. (Belt not included, rofl)


I was planning to make her some kind of light blue kirtle or irish dress to go over it. Not sure whether I want it to lace in front, back, or on sides, if I want it to split to reveal the chemise underneath...I really want to pretty it up with some trims like this one maybe? http://www.calontirtrim.com/queries/ShowTrim.asp?trimid=1188 Or this? http://www.calontirtrim.com/queries/ShowTrim.asp?trimid=807 Kind of wanting to go with a peacock-inspired color scheme. If I have it lace in back, should I put some type of embroidery or applique on the bodice? Some kind of trim or ruffle on the hem?

And then what? I am trying to figure out what type of head covering to put on her too.


And then I want to re-vamp my stuff, both because I'm tired of it, and to match her better. The only thing that has to stay is my black waist  cincher. Since I actually bought it, I feel obligated to get a few more years' wear out of it. http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b272/Sk8ermaiden/?action=view&current=IMG_2152.jpg. I almost would like something dress like? Maybe like this? http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b272/Sk8ermaiden/?action=view&current=il_570xN127803558.jpg  I don't know.

And then the husband. He's not as into dressing up this year, so I am thinking super simple. I was just thinking either http://www.simplicity.com/p-1900-misses-men-teen-costumes.aspx the top right or bottom left one, except with less fabric. I have to do some more looking for a less poufy pattern. Would he wear a wide belt or something over it? I am so bad at garbing.

Honestly, I know that the more vague the question, the less answers you are likely to get. I am just so, so stumped and hope someone with more creativity will come along. I love sewing our stuff and going dressed up, but have sewing block! Thanks, if you read this far.

[isabelladangelo]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubileel/4006995856/

This is a dress I created for a little girl who was a 2t at the time.  It's a very simple chemise (elastic at the cuffs and necklines) with a front lacing irish dress and black velvet trim.   Simple is best for little kids; don't over think it.  Also, remember this is something she will only get to wear once or twice -you don't want to spend $$$ on trim only to have it sit in a closet for the rest of it's life.

For you - it looks like you are going pure fantasy?   I'd suggest, based on what you like, actually going with a bliaut.  It's a 12th C garment with the "angel" sleeves and a belt.  http://www.eg.bucknell.edu/~lwittie/sca/garb/bliaut.html   It's VERY simple to make and you can really make it look lovely with trims.   The reason I'd suggest that rather than the fantastical is only because the lines tend to be neater.   Rather than a gathered neckline, you have a simple straight lines.   Also rather than cotton, you can use linen, wool, or even damask.  http://www.eg.bucknell.edu/~lwittie/sca/garb/europe_class/europe_bliaut.html

For your husband, maybe something to match your outfit?   A nice mid thigh length t-tunic with simple viking style pants would work well.

[Sk8ermaiden]

Thanks, that kid's dress is lovely. For some reason I couldn't visualize where to put the trim. I know She'll likely only wear it this year and maybe next, but it is just so cute and quick to make and uses so little materials, I can't help myself. 

Yeah, pure fantasy at this point (although I would like people to look at me and at least think, "Hey, that looks vaguely renaissance inspired.") :p
Mostly because I need to use the cincher and of course that's not going to be H/a. I love the bliaut, but I don't know how that would look with the cincher - since there is not much fabric to cinch?

[Sk8ermaiden]

Oh, also what on her head? I have seen those little close-fitting linen caps and they look very sweet. Is there anywhere that tells you how to make them or any big 3 patterns that include one? I am crap at drafting my own stuff.

[isabelladangelo]

If you really want to keep the waist cincher, I'd go with the bliaut still simply because you can build upon the tunic styles.   It's hard to build upon the chemise only because you really can't place trim on it and it can look "dumpy" especially if you wear it a lot.  Bliauts look more fitted.   


I think what you might be seeing is the chin strap and "crown" look.   It's rather nice, if done correctly, but you can also just braid your hair and go.   

Kids styles are a lot of fun to play with.  I need to get cracking on my nephews' outfits this week.  The 3 year old already pointed out what he wants -a nice jacket and smock.   The one year old gets no choice.  Bwahahaha...    He's getting dress up like Prince Edward.

[Sk8ermaiden]

I am not sure what it's called and that didn't turn up anything for me on google. Her hair is way too short and fine to braid yet. In that painting of the three lumpy children it's kind of like what's under the hood of the child on the right? I may just get or make her a flower halo with the ribbons that hang down, cause you know, fantasy...

And yeah, I really am ready to ditch the cincher, but as I actually purchased it, I feel inclined to get a couple more years of use out of it. I am hating that it's limiting my choices right now....

[gem]

I actually think your waist cincher is super-versatile! Do a Google image search, or look on etsy and ebay to see how many different looks you can get out of it. Layers of skirts and chemises, or wear it with a hip-length chemise and boots, or with a frock coat for a pirate look... You can get great use out of it, particularly since it's black and goes with everything. I made one for my MIL, and she wears it most often with a red shirt and pirate garb. I love the look but am too busty to wear one, alas. You could make something similar for your DD, and fancy it up with trims &c, and she might get more years' use out of it than a dress. If you do decide to make her an overdress, make it lace up in multiple places, and add extra length to the skirt with tucks, which can be let down as she grows.

For you... for pure Fairwear, I love my Ophelia's chemises (which look smashing with waist cinchers), because they're made with fabrics hefty enough to wear as dresses (not just underthings), with fanciful details like puffed/angel sleeves, etc. Here's a great photo from their website:



That one is a gorgeous sanded silk, but you could use a nice cotton gauze, a drapey rayon challis, some embroidered linen, or even simple cotton. Simplicity has some more fanciful chemises, like 3632, that would be more fantasy-inspired than just a basic peasant blouse or plain period smock. Another favorite piece in my wardrobe is my famous Flaming Orange Chemise, which is medium-weight linen with an elastic neckline and angel sleeves. I bought it, but it would be super-easy to make. If you check the holiday/pageant costumes section, they usually have something like that.

For your husband, a lot of us here really like Simplicity 4059. It has a really nice shirt pattern, not as extravagantly floofy as the one you linked to. I like it because it has actual shoulder seams *and* a yoke, which make it more comfortable to wear. Milord wore his yesterday: click here. If you make it from an interesting color instead of just white, your husband may be more willing/interested in wearing it.


Have fun!

[isabelladangelo]

I am not sure what it's called and that didn't turn up anything for me on google. Her hair is way too short and fine to braid yet. In that painting of the three lumpy children it's kind of like what's under the hood of the child on the right? I may just get or make her a flower halo with the ribbons that hang down, cause you know, fantasy...

And yeah, I really am ready to ditch the cincher, but as I actually purchased it, I feel inclined to get a couple more years of use out of it. I am hating that it's limiting my choices right now....

You can always sell it.   Ebay and etsy are awesome like that.   

I think you mean the coif.   Coifs are awesome!   My nephew who is 3 "helped" to make his.   It's a rectangle with funny curved edges.  You just sew up the top seam and then hem. 

[Sk8ermaiden]

Yes, a coif is it! Now that I know the term I am sure I can scare up a pattern...

And I am LOLing Gem, because that is the outfit my husband has! The long one. I have his shirt - I need to pull it out and see if it is salvageable (looking at your own beginning sewing work is always a bit painful - although I did a fairly good job on the doublet) and if it can be embellished, etc. I think I am going to offer him the choice of a shirt or a tunic and white, black, or any of the colors on the peacock spectrum, and a trim on the v-neck part or laces.

I am fairly married to the overdress for her. I am not sure she would be comfortable in a waist cincher of any kind (soft or not), I'm kind of obsessive about comfortable babies. I refuse to even put jeans on kids under 4. I did find a great color of blue for it and a perfect trim at Joann's. So yay.

SO that just leaves me. *sigh* I do like the fancy chemise idea and I definitely could dress it up with fun trims. I have been doing google image searches like crazy but most of the stuff is super wenchy or pirate-y and I kind of want to at least look in the same league as my kid (even though she is in the ballpark of H/a and I am...not.) My garb the last two years was the Disney variety of gypsy, and I actually liked it a lot. I might have the beginnings of an idea though - I'll have to sketch it and see if it pans out...

Thank you guys so much for all the help thus far, and anyone else who wants to chime in...

[gem]

There's no rule that says you have to wear the same garb every day. If you're tired of your waist cincher and want something different, make yourself an overdress as well! Or whatever! I have a bodice I've never been terribly fond of (bought it three seasons ago), but just this year have finally started to pull together ensembles that really work well for it. The good news about garb is it doesn't really go out of style! LOL

I like the idea of staying in the same color spectrum as a family. It will make mixing and matching pieces easier, and it also looks smashing in photos!  Check out this shot of Milord's family from a couple of years ago. We really didn't intend to all wear burgundy, white, and black... it just happened that way, but really turned out great.

[Sk8ermaiden]

Oh, that is lovely! That is part of the reason I want to stay in same color palette I will admit.

We only make it to fair for one day a year at this point. I DO hope to be able to add the waist cincher (and the whole costume it hoes with) into the closet for future rotations. In a few years that one particularly gorgeous Simplicity gown that is reasonably H/a is on the agenda. http://www.google.com/imgres?q=simplicity+tudor&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=624&tbm=isch&tbnid=8TmTP-IU_It9mM:&imgrefurl=http://cgi.ebay.com/Simplicity-Tudor-Elizabethan-Gown-Pattern-size-16-24-/350277026837&docid=Q-X7xsjE4wqS7M&itg=1&w=210&h=300&ei=KtiATo69EYuBsgKZ3dQ1&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=219&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=99&start=0&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,r:13,s:0&tx=76&ty=87 I am sure it will take me several years to make too.

I am hoping to make Elizabeth's dress so that I can let out both the laces and the shoulder straps. Then she can wear it again if she wants. Although I'm not putting too much faith in that. By next year she might have her own opinions on what she wants to be!

[isabelladangelo]

Oh yes, that one is H/A!  I love seeing dresses from that pattern.   It won't take you very long unless you hand sew it.   If you make hubby keep the kidlet out of your hair for a day, you can probably get most of it cut out and sewn up.   TV makes for great sewing time.   Thanks to my nephews, I know every word of "Creaky Cranky" from Thomas the Tank engine fame and have finished a project or two while "watching" it. 

[Sk8ermaiden]

Wow, that would be nice!

Well, my lovely husband, as usual, threw me for a loop this evening. In talking to him about his tunic/shirt options, he expressed an interest in dressing like a member of the Swiss Guard. Looking at the uniform, I don't actually think it will be too hard...