I have just started making my own childrens garb since I can not seem to find any vendors that give a good selection or variety of clothing. Has any one found a good vendor out there? Perhaps it would be a good niche market to get into? Would there be others interested in a vendor that is strictly for children? I may be finding myself unemployed here soon so I'm trying to think of other ways to start earning an income and would love to finally put my fashion design degree to work! Any suggetions? Anything people have been looking for that they have been unable to find for their little ones?
This truthfully just popped into my head today as I finshed my 2 yr olds new pants for BARF this coming weekend. My husband, brother and room mate all said this may be a good idea for me today at different times so I know it wasn't just them agreeing with each other. It would be a very enjoyable way to spend my time but is there enough desire out there for this?
I think it's an untapped market, personally. My daughter is 10 and stuck "in between" sizes right now. We bought an Irish dress and chemise from Renstore.com last year but both are a bit too small now. I would love to be able to buy children's garb online, especially if there were a custom option. I'm a member of www.etsy.com which is a great place to start an online shop. There are a great many garbers on Etsy but all seem to be adult shops.
Fortunately, my daughter is close enough to the adult sizes that we might be able to get away with it. It's the families with very small children that are especially hurting for garb. I don't think I've ever seen anything toddler sized.
DECENTLY priced and made childrens clothing is non existant. It would be nice to see some.
I make all my little guys garb, he grows like a weed. So I just make it all for him, its MUCH cheaper that way.
Etsy.com actually has a LOT of kid's sized stuff, so definitely search there. :)
I just finished making my sons bloomers and when I looked at them I figured he should be able to get at least two years wear out of them the way I made them. So I'm trying to think of things that I can make that will grow with the child a little so that we are not spending money every faire season. The tunic I made him last year fit more like a robe ( you can see it in my picture) but this year fits him perfect as a tunic. I'm also going to try making him a little belt with a sword holder for his wooden sword. I just know that every time I have looked for things it has been a real struggle for the toddler sizing. I have seen some things for children but they have typically started at size 6. My son has been going to fair since he was an infant and I have always had him in garb.
Adriana: I completely agree that the pricing has to be good. When I have seen something even for my 9 yr old daughter half the time I do not want to spend the ridiculous price on the tags because I know she will grow out of it. I'm thinking of pants for maybe $20, tunics for $20 and maybe if they are purchased together I'll mark them to $30 for the set? If the child gets to wear them for at least two seasons of fair you look that maybe you spent $15 per year and if it last even longer YIPPEE!
So I went through etsy.com, all 105 pages of childrens costume section and while they do have a lot of things for a ballarina's or princessed it is not offering very much to our little squires or page boys ;) But I would like to try and find more people interested in this before I start something up. My Mother in-law is very gung ho about this and wants to go buy bolts of fabric and get this started. My husband is actually starting to develop names and a logo. I like to plan a little more and research things before I jump into it. So any one with input I would gladly listen!
I'm going to see If I can get a picture of my little one in his pants tonight to post.
That's my issue w/ Etsy for kid's garb. There's lots of tutus and princess items but not much if anything for traditional Ren wear. I like the chemise/overdress combo since it's simple but I don't want an expensive material since daughter usually gets dirty and sweaty at faire.
I make stuff for our little ones, but I have spoken to garb merchants on occasion about kids garb. They generally have the same comment: the cost of making it quality makes it hard to sell for kids that might not be able to wear it for even a whole season. That said, last faire we went to, my family was pulled out of a crowd by the new owners of Past & Peasant ( pastandpeasant.net ), one of the CA area garb merchants, who asked about doing kids garb. After speaking with them for a fair while, they said that they intended to try kids garb on a trial run this coming season. They were going to try things like irish dresses, simple tunics, and the like where sizes could be a little more forgiving/adjustable. I don't see anything about it on their site now, so I don't know if they followed thru. Their adult size garb is not too pricey, so I would hope the kids stuff would be even lower.
On another note, I have seen a few merchants who stock some assorted kids' stuff. At Valhalla their was a merchant who had muffin hats in 1/2 inch size increments, starting small enought to fit my son who was only 2 months old. I've also seen a couple merchants with bins of stuff out front of their tents, with things like girl's shoes down into toddler sizes. Most leather workers I've seen have boots and such down to toddler sizes. Just keep an eye out, you might find things in the oddest places, and not necassarily at stalls/tents of garb merchants.
If you want to sew your own, kids stuff can be fun, if a bit challenging in ways you don't expect ( think very small, tight spaces) . I try to make each set I make a little more quality and/or try new techiques.Its practice, and especially as my kids are still small ( 3, and under 1) it can be cheap. Most fabric I get as remnants, or use scraps. At worst I may have to buy a yard of something, or some trim.
Boy are stuck with the short end too lol.
I have a tip too, I have used old pillow slips that I find at the second hand store for like 25cents a pop. Sheets are great too and still just as cheap.
infants too, but they can pull of the onsie with no worries and be cute as a button none the less.
Quote from: Hoowil on February 08, 2010, 07:18:05 PM
If you want to sew your own, kids stuff can be fun, if a bit challenging in ways you don't expect ( think very small, tight spaces) .
I have been sewing since I was 8 years old. I started on making my own Barbies clothing since I was the youngest of 6 children, and my barbies apparel was never high on shopping lists. So definetly I am used to sewing tight places ;D Also I have a fashion degree and can do just about everything on my own from pattern making to sewing (I'm just bad with those super stretchy fabrics).
I really would love to see more traditional fabrics on the childrens costumes, So far all my sons outfits have been made of linen, muslin and twill. Everything must be machine washable in my house! Including the GARB! Since our little ones are playing in the dirt half the time at festival, staining is going to happen.
I definitely agree with those stretchy fabrics. What a pain! I have found broadcloth and kona cotton makes great garb for little ones. Soft, lots of pretty colors to satisfy two girls, and machine washable. You're right about kids playing in the dirt half the time. If it's not that, then it's accidents with drinks, food, mud, etc. Although I make my girls' garb, I know several people who would be interested in being able to buy it ready made. I look forward to seeing what you come up with. Good luck!
something to chime in here. M'Lady makes our 10 year old son's garb - moslty for the reasons stated as far as cost and growing out of it so fast. We are headed to faire this weekend and found a great deal on boots at a local clothing store that is clearancing women's winter boots. Found 2 pairs that will work great - total cost around $25.
Quote from: Lady Raven on February 09, 2010, 09:14:18 AM
! Since our little ones are playing in the dirt half the time at festival, staining is going to happen.
Yup that happens lol.
My little guy has stains on the rump of all his faire pants. It adds to the look if you ask me ( since they are super bonded in)
For young girls, at least, I'm going to advocate Ilona at Magicmyst.com. She made 2 wonderful dresses for our (at the time) 4- and 6-year-olds. Not only was the garb wonderful, it was made in such a way that we could let it out as the girls got bigger. We were able to get 3 years of use out of the dresses before we had to size up. Highly recommend for girls (and women). Don't know about boys.
I think it's a great idea! Keep cost down by using simple, washable fabrics. If you can make items with a little extra hem so it can be turned down in case of a growth spurt that would be even better. How about double knees on boys pants? If you can build in as many adjustabilities and other considerations for children's clothing, you'll be a hit!
Good luck and keep us posted!
the best "let out" function was multiple grommets on the bands that went over the shoulders. That, coupled with loose chemises and lacing in front that could be loosened as the girls got bigger were the big factors in getting multiple years out of the dresses.
You can also add rows of tucks to the bottoms of tunics/skirts/shirts/chemises, so that the length can be let out (an inch at a time or so) as the kids grow.
I'd like to add a suggestion that is sort of related, if not exactly dead on topic. What about adding some easy maternity options? People with little ones are often making *more* little ones, and hardly anyone makes dedicated maternity garb.
I'm looking at doing things with grommets and drawstrings to make them as adjustable as possible. We have opening weekend here at BARF Saturday so I will take some pictures of my son's new outfit and post them. It will also test the durabilty of his new pants and I'm sure they will need a good washing after the first weekend. I plan on making a fabric store trip as well to check out the best possible fabrics and price things out sooo.. Stay tuned for more!
Thanks for everyones feed back and keep it coming, its all very useful information for me!
Quote from: gem on February 10, 2010, 03:45:03 PM
I'd like to add a suggestion that is sort of related, if not exactly dead on topic. What about adding some easy maternity options? People with little ones are often making *more* little ones, and hardly anyone makes dedicated maternity garb.
Hmmmm That would be a good idea as well. I'll start looking into that as well. So far I'm throwing some names around for the line. My husband has come up with " FairKins"
If you intend to make stuff to sell for kids, you really REALLY need to read this:
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/cpsia-requirements/
It WILL apply to you, and you WILL have to comply. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Not wanting to rain on you parade, but this has to be considered.
Kate: Thank you for sharing this with me. It is a little on the confusing side once I started to look into it more. I see a lot of very conflicting information some stating that yes small businesses such as what I'm thinking of doing are being affected but I also see that its not for people like me who are going to be creating home sewn garments for those asking me to?
Has any one else looked into this issue? I would love some more insight.
On another note my husband has created a website already for me. It's very basic and only has a picture of my sons current outfit. I would love to have some feedback on the lay out, it still needs to be tweaked a lot but the site is www.fairekins.com
I'm going to be getting some more made and steal my friends children for a photoshoot soon so I can display more of my creations very soon!
It's not something I've looked into seriously as I don't intend to get into manufacturing and only make for private clients, and don't sell in the USA. There is still some debate about whether or not it applies to dressmakers making bespoke things, and even to granny making a present for the new baby! It's bonkers, and taking a sledgehammer to crack a peanut. It was supposed to protect kids from cheap crap imported from China and places like that, and often sub standard and even dangerous. It's clobbered the small artizan businesses, and many have given up already. You need to be aware of the rsamifications in case it DOES apply, as you cannot plead ignorance.
I'm due in May with my first son and my husband and I are thinking about bringing him to TRF for his first faire. I'm already getting into making him some mundane clothes, so I'd love to start planning garb also. Can anyone give me some ideas for cute baby boy garb that isn't terribly difficult or costly to make?
great kilts. A yard to two of plaid, and you're good to go. Thats what we're putting my 10 month old in.
This is what I did last time, but while cheap, I'd not clasify it as not too dificult.
(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c154/squisheez/Ren%20Faire/IMG_6315v2.jpg)
Never again will I do a pipe trimmed, lined doublet, with arm holes I can fit 3 fingers thru.....
Quote from: Sabrina Black on February 27, 2010, 05:38:47 PM
I'm due in May with my first son and my husband and I are thinking about bringing him to TRF for his first faire. I'm already getting into making him some mundane clothes, so I'd love to start planning garb also. Can anyone give me some ideas for cute baby boy garb that isn't terribly difficult or costly to make?
I made barbarian garb for our son's first trip to TRF at 6 months. Just made some simple shorts and a vest and braided some scrap fabric for a belt. If it'll be later in the season, make it pants and add a simple shirt or long sleeve onesy underneath. Made the whole thing with remnants, cost less than $5!
I ordered jumpers from www.dharmatrading.com and dyed them and sewed on appliques for my little ones first year at fair.
Quote from: Hoowil on February 27, 2010, 07:53:20 PM
great kilts. A yard to two of plaid, and you're good to go. Thats what we're putting my 10 month old in.
This is what I did last time, but while cheap, I'd not clasify it as not too dificult.
(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c154/squisheez/Ren%20Faire/IMG_6315v2.jpg)
Never again will I do a pipe trimmed, lined doublet, with arm holes I can fit 3 fingers thru.....
Thanks for the idea :) I do have to say that even if that outfit wasn't very easy to make, he certainly looks totally adorable in it :D
Thanks for the ideas y'all! I'm definitely going to be trying them out :D
My only other suggestion, is make something that is either extremely simple to make, or that is usable over a large size range. My daughter's first few years, I had to make something for each faire because she was groing so fast. That outfit for my son, I made knowing it was for our last faire of the year, and he'd never be able to wear it again. One of these days, when I have the time, and nothing more pressing on my project list, I'll make a teddy bear that that outfit will fit, and he'll get something special to keep forever. I've kept some of my daughter's early garb for the same reason.
I put my stepson's first armour on a stuffed animal too. It's adorable and a reminder of how tiny he was then.
Wow, putting the garb on a stuffed animal is an awesome idea, I'm gonna keep that in mind :D
Nessa sells stuffed animals with chainmaile.
http://www.nessaschain.com/accessories.html
Quote from: Lady Raven on February 19, 2010, 01:38:15 PM
Kate: Thank you for sharing this with me. It is a little on the confusing side once I started to look into it more. I see a lot of very conflicting information some stating that yes small businesses such as what I'm thinking of doing are being affected but I also see that its not for people like me who are going to be creating home sewn garments for those asking me to?
Has any one else looked into this issue? I would love some more insight.
On another note my husband has created a website already for me. It's very basic and only has a picture of my sons current outfit. I would love to have some feedback on the lay out, it still needs to be tweaked a lot but the site is www.fairekins.com
I'm going to be getting some more made and steal my friends children for a photoshoot soon so I can display more of my creations very soon!
God this is a mess. Well intended, but went wayyyyy off the deep end. I make fairy wings that sell primarily to kids, so I've done some study on this. I'm not a lawyer and anything I post regarding this mess is my personal opinion and will probably change next week/month/year as the regs are "interpreted". The original law said all lots must be tested for lead. Period. No exceptions, even if it is a lot of one. At that time, the testing would destroy the item. Smart, right????
A great hue and cry arose from small businesses and charities and grandmothers and a great many people. The interpretation has altered to "component" testing for small lots or small businesses. Meaning that if I use items which are certified by the manufacturer to be lead free ( or listed as lead free by the CSPIA) and I have not altered the chemical composition, I'm ok and can issue a certificate stating the item is composed of lead free components.
Now what is "lead free" according to CSPIA and relevant to this discussion? Factory dyed fabric and thread. Natural untreated wood. Yeah!
WHAT MUST BE CERTIFIED AS LEAD FREE ARE ANYTHING I PAINT OR DYE MYSELF, PLASTIC BUTTONS, PAINTED WOODEN BUTTONS, POLYCOATED WOODEN BUTTONS, GROMMETS, CLASPS, SAFETY PINS, .... oh shiner bock, any clasp I would normally use on a kid garment to make it adjustable. Techically, I could not give away a garbage bag to a child to use as a raincoat on a wet day.
I hope this helps. Feel free to renmail me if you like. Brenda
Thank you Brenda! As I almost stopped reading my own thread with the turn it took! (although it was somewhat amusing) So by what you are stating it sounds like the only thing I would have an issue with are my grommets as they are the only thing non-fabric. and IF I use buttons but so far I've figured to do everything with ties. Don't know about anone else's kids but mine like to pick at buttons untill they fall off ;D
This certificate that you kept mentioning, what exactly is this?
On a fun note I whipped together another style shirt fr my son this weekend, still have work to do on it. It's more of a poet/pirate style cotton shirt.He actually picked it out of a theatrical costuming book so I had to create the pattern for him turned out nice but I ended up just serging the the neck to finish because of running out of time. Was very simply to make as it only required 4 pattern pieces to be made. I have a few things made now so hopefully I can recruit some children for pictures!
Quote from: Lady Raven on March 07, 2010, 08:38:23 PMThis certificate that you kept mentioning, what exactly is this?
Every item ever made has a material safety data sheet. The MSDS lists hazardous content including lead content or outright states that there is no hazardous content. That's key for a small business like you and me. I certainly cannot afford to lead test every "lot" I make.
I always start out with searching the website of the manufacturer of the item in question. I've had to contacted several manufacturers directly, even though I purchase their products at Michaels or JoAnns or Walmart. The customer service people are quite helpful and fully understand the reason I ask. i think I started out the email with " I make and sell children's items using your "fill in the product name here'. Do you have documentation on the lead content for that product?"
I usually get a reply with 3 days. The manufacturers are quite happy to respond so I keep using their product. If you want to see an example of an MSDS, renmail me an email address and I will forward you a reply I've recieved.
You reminded me that I have not gotten grommets that are lead free yet. In searching for it I found this:
http://hughhewitt.com/transcripts.aspx?id=f75ada92-c77a-4855-8853-7205efd7a679
CPSC Commissioner Ann Northup on the devastation on small businesses that continues thanks to the Consumer Product Safety Improvements Act
Monday, November 16, 2009
HH: As you know, I cover the jobs story very, very closely on the Hugh Hewitt show, and I've been doing it for years. Part of that is government regulation that kills jobs, and part of that story is the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act. I have covered it many, many times over the course of the last year. Full disclosure, two of my law partners do very little besides advise people on the CPSIA. But I've interviewed Commissioner Nancy Nord about it before, I've talked to experts in the field. It is a job killer. And joining me to talk about the status of the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act before the CPSC, Consumer Product Safety Commission, is Commissioner Ann Northup, no stranger to the Hugh Hewitt Show. She was frequently a guest when she was a member of Congress. Commissioner Northup, welcome back, good to have you on.
AN: It's nice to be with you.
HH: And thank you for being willing to serve on the CPSC as one of the Republican members. You weren't in the Congress when the CPSIA was passed, Commissioner Northup.
AN: No, I wasn't.
HH: What do you make of this law?
AN: I was just, and I just became a commissioner in August. And it is, I mean, a law with unintended consequences is what we're looking at here. And that doesn't mean there weren't a few staffers that knew exactly what they were doing, but just about every member of Congress that I've talked to had no intention for this bill to be interpreted the way it's being interpreted.
HH: Yeah, there is a lead editorial in today's Washington Times about the decision the CPSC made on brass, and it was a 3-2 decision. You were in the minority with Commissioner Nord, you were outvoted 3-2. What is the effect of that decision last week, Commissioner Northup?
AN: Well, basically, that was the first vote since I joined the commission where we found that a product, brass, even though lead doesn't leach out of it, that if a child rubs their hand on it, there's less lead that comes out than what they would normally find in a child's piece of candy. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration allows candy, children's candy, to have more lead in it than the amount that could possibly be rubbed off, and yet basically, it decided that it still was illegal, it cannot be used in child's products. So that means sort of all brass. But it goes beyond that. It means all the things where lead is in them, but they can't be absorbed, or can't be leached out, a child couldn't suck on it and pull the lead out, still will be illegal.
HH: Yeah, Commissioner, did the commission have before it the impact on small businesses from this decision and similar decisions?
AN: You know, the other commissioners decided that there's sort of a discussion about it, and they believed that we could not use a common sense determination of what any means. I would say a de minimus amount, amount that is so small it's almost undetectable amount that is absolutely immeasurable if a child got it in their system, that would not cause any health risk, completely harmless, that that could fall in the category of saying that a child would not absorb any if they played with this toy. In fact, one of the commissioners that voted against it said I dare say if we had Consumer Product Safety Commission scientists in this room, their children were playing with this, even if their children were almost on the tipping level of the amount of lead in their blood, they would still allow their child to play with this, because it's that harmless.
HH: Wow. Now Commissioner, I always tell people, I always fully disclose, I have law partners who do nothing but advise companies on how best to deal with this ridiculous law, so full disclosure. I know what it's doing to small businesses, I know the jobs that it's destroying.
AN: Terrible.
HH: But do the commissioners know?
AN: I think at least some say that's not our problem. Our problem is we're going to interpret this law the literal way that, you know, so that we can't be sued by the environmentalist community, or the community that wants a chemical-free world, and it's not our problem. But you're exactly right. And let me just say, Hugh, that if you take all children's things, the products that are made by the really big companies are all in China. I mean, the companies may be here, but the products are made in China. It is the small businesses that are saying we don't know how we can possibly comply with the costs of this bill. They're the people that actually make things in this country, that actually hire Americans in their businesses. And even the big companies that produce most of their things overseas, many of them all of their things overseas, say considering the costs, they do not, they cannot imagine how a small company could continue making things, and be in compliance with the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act.
HH: I'm talking with Commissioner Ann Northup of the Consumer Products Safety Commission, longtime legislator from Kentucky, from the Louisville area, where my audience in Louisville knows her well. Commissioner, you're the only legislator on that commission. Do they look to you for common sense advice on what legislative history means? Because this is not what the Congress intended.
AN: Well, I don't think it is what the Congress...everything from what Congress tell us, but more importantly, you know, I actually submitted a legal brief that laid out that there's a whole section that exempts products that have lead where a child cannot absorb any of the lead. And you know, clearly they meant something by that, and what basically the decision last week meant was that not one product would fall under that exemption, that basically, that exemption is totally meaningless.
HH: Wow.
AN: Now Congress, you know, it meant something to the people, to the staffers and the members that wrote it, and they had to think that this was going to bring some reason to it. But you know, when you have a commission that decides we don't care, the literal translation of this is where we're going to go, it has all these unintended consequences. And let me just say, Hugh, it doesn't just apply to the products, what materials they can use. It also means that they then have to have the products certified in a third-party lab, which is expensive. They have to then provide certification, that's an enormous amount of paperwork, on the internet, proving that it was tested. Every time they change a component, they have to go back to the lab, get it retested, recertify it, make sure that paperwork follows that product wherever it goes. I mean, it's the paperwork and the enormous responsibility that goes with the fact that we could not see our way clear to exempting these materials.
HH: Let me ask you, Commissioner Northup, has the commission authorized enforcement, or will they be looking the other way as small and medium companies struggle to do their best to comply with the act? In other words, if they just can't do it, are they going to be prosecuted by the CPSC?
AN; Yes, and not only will they be prosecuted if they use, like in this case, brass, there are buttons, zippers, grommets on children's clothes, all of those things have lead in them. None of them will be allowed. Not only that, they'll all have to be tested, they'll all have to be certified, and the certification will have to follow every single product. So now, for example, a product could be lead-free. But if the certification isn't there in the right form, they could be charged with a certification failure, even though the product is perfectly in compliance with the law.
HH: Are you colleagues in the majority in the commission all gung ho to go and prosecute little businesses? Is that part of their agenda?
AN: Oh no, they say they're not. They say they're not. In fact, they decry this. But, I mean, we're not...after I lost the vote, I then made a proposal, number one, that we would delay the vote and ask Congress to clarify what this "any" meant, the word any in this law. And that was voted down, 3-2. And then when that was over, then I tried to bring an amendment to ask for a study on the cost of what it's going to cost businesses to comply, and I was ruled out of order. So you have to sort of say, you know, if you really were heartbroken over coming to a conclusion that you didn't think made any sense, you might delay the vote and ask Congress to clarify the language, or you might agree, you would allow an out of order motion to be acted on. You don't, you know, if it's not on the agenda, if three of the five commissioners agree to bring it up, it can be brought up. But in this case, it was ruled out of order.
HH: Wow.
AN: So I think there's, you know, I don't know, it's hard for me to determine whether there's going to be flexibility.
HH: Commissioner Northup, we're out of time. I hope you will continue to fight the good fight on behalf of the small businesses that are devastated by the CPSIA, and we will have you back to continue updating it. Thanks for joining us, and thanks for fighting it the right way as best you can, Commissioner.
AN: Thank you, Hugh.
End of interview.
I now have a source for compliant grommets.
Good to hear; I was going to recommend using sewn eyelets instead of metal grommets. If you have a Viking or a Bernina, the eyelet attachments are simple to use (see the thread on machine-sewn eyelets). Also, since most kids' garb won't have the physical strain on the grommets that, say, a corset will, buttonholes would probably work just as well.
Extra selling point with button holes and stitched eyelets: No choking factor if the grommets pop out!
Yeah, great idea, except said plate does not exist for my machines. Sigh. Think I can convince renfairephotog that I need a new sewing machine???
you know the house rules The number of sewing machines must equal the number of computers. So I need a new mac.
Quote from: gem on March 08, 2010, 03:13:34 PM
Good to hear; I was going to recommend using sewn eyelets instead of metal grommets. If you have a Viking or a Bernina, the eyelet attachments are simple to use (see the thread on machine-sewn eyelets). Also, since most kids' garb won't have the physical strain on the grommets that, say, a corset will, buttonholes would probably work just as well.
Eyelets work fantastically on corsets!
(http://assets.burdastyle.com/project_images/assets/000/052/686/ad3806c65484b36c6d66850218e246e4221bbab3_large.jpg?1249003221)
I used them on the girl's kirtle, and I put bones in that to keep the front straight:
(http://assets.burdastyle.com/project_images/assets/000/052/691/0d19f252dfde6851a8d28fb4027ec0874d3f878f_large.jpg?1249003240)
I'm not sure how well buttonholes would work: you'd need to make the ends very strong and stabilize the area really well.
Quote from: gypsylakat on March 09, 2010, 09:43:26 PM
Extra selling point with button holes and stitched eyelets: No choking factor if the grommets pop out!
I'm so glad you thought of that! thanks for the extra tip!
So, can you make shirts for giant beastly creatures like me? I may oftentimes have the temperament of a child, but not the stature. I ask because you're relatively local and er, I obviously need a new shirt. :)
Are you in fear of choking on a grommet and that is why you would like to have a childrens shirt ;D
No, I'm just lazy and impatient. :P Well, I do suppose I have a propensity for chewing on things, but I don't know about grommets.
Pens, however, lead to hilarious results.
We'll talk this weekend about what it is you are wanting and i'm sure I can throw a shirt together for you.
Now Back to the CHILDRENS GaRb thread!
For girls (and it can prolly be done some how for boys) I would suggest drawstring chemises and skirts...drawstrings allow for lots of size adjustment...also for skirts (I dunno about anything else) if you do drawstring tiered skirts you could include extra tiers to add on as the kiddo grows, so the skirt doesn't get too short...I know we always had issues with me outgrowing height wise before I was too big around for it...I don't think there would be a good way to do that with other pieces tho...
I've done one pair of pants with draw string for my son, again using grommets so I'm definetly going to look into the stiched eyelets. Worked pretty well but I need to adjust it a little better, the tie came undone and he got caught with his pants around his ankles :o luckily it happened at home and we all got a laugh out of it.
Quote from: ArielCallista on March 11, 2010, 09:07:13 AM
For girls (and it can prolly be done some how for boys) I would suggest drawstring chemises and skirts...drawstrings allow for lots of size adjustment...also for skirts (I dunno about anything else) if you do drawstring tiered skirts you could include extra tiers to add on as the kiddo grows, so the skirt doesn't get too short...I know we always had issues with me outgrowing height wise before I was too big around for it...I don't think there would be a good way to do that with other pieces tho...
Probably not H/a but my boyfriend's mom bought garb and the saleslady told her she could buy multiple skirts and layer them by pulling them up to different height to get a tiered look, you could sell them cheaper if you buy (buy 2 get one half off or something) or sell sets of different lengths "as they grow add a skirt" type deal.
I totally agree. My son's 3 months old. At first I put him in a onezie for the first few fairs but I tried (I suck as sewing) to make him something today and it's way too small. I can only get his head through. Fits him nicely when I just lay it over him like a blanket! LOL I would LOVE to be able to buy a chemise that would just fit him and not look like a girls dress!
Quote from: KellyBelly on March 12, 2010, 02:12:34 PM
I totally agree. My son's 3 months old. At first I put him in a onezie for the first few fairs but I tried (I suck as sewing) to make him something today and it's way too small. I can only get his head through. Fits him nicely when I just lay it over him like a blanket! LOL I would LOVE to be able to buy a chemise that would just fit him and not look like a girls dress!
I've had that issue a couple times. Just remember that an infants head is proportionantely much larger than an adults, or even a kids. You'll need a drawstring, elastic, or some kind of frog to close a collar to be able to get it over the head, but not drop over the shoulders.
I just had to through together a costume for my daughter last weekend. She was very disappointed the morning of festival to find that her pixie costume from the year before didn't fit her sooo.. I pulled out a cheapo "Charlotte russe" corset I bought in my skinny days, overlapped the back where it laced, stitched it so that I can release the stitches at a later date when she may actually fit in a true corset (she is only nine) gave her one of my over skirts and skirt hiked it for her and VIOLA! I had a little mini pirate girl that was AWESOME! I'm gonna post a picture later tonight of her. She had spirit week at school this week and wanted to wear it for blast from the past day! I'm glad I was able to make her happy in less then an hour!
Does anyone have any old garb for babies that they don't need any more or would like to pass down to another? He is 7 months right now almost 8 he will be 8 months and 4 days opening day! he is wearing some 6 months or 6-9 and some 9 months.
Raven I had that with my oldest neice, she wanted a dress for faire and they were going the next day!oh the puppy eyes lol
How the sewing going? any bites on the web site yet?
unfortunatly I have been soo busy with my full time job and faire every weekend I haven't had a chance. This is our closing weeked, sniff sniff, so I will have a lot of weekend time back! I have a new serger and about $300-$400 worth of fabric to play with so I can not wait to get started. Hopefull by next weekend I will be into the full swing of things!
Funny thing is I have been contacted for making adult garb so far through the site and faire, not children! Almost turned it down since I really didn't want to deal with the in depth constructions but hey, its money! and I need it right now!
I wasn't able to post my daughters pic yet, crashed last night after I got the little one to bed! heehe I'm at work now so hopefully it will get up tonight :)
Darn real life stuff lol.
Here is a the picture with my daughters thrown together costume!
(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af359/LadyRaven30302/piratefamily.jpg)
Photo taken by Sandy Martinelli
Also wanted to share two better pictures of my sons garb this year. these are the two styles of shirts I plan to focus on for my line.
(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af359/LadyRaven30302/AidanWhiteshirt.jpg)
He picked this shirt out of a pattern book and I was able to scale pattern for him in a night
(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af359/LadyRaven30302/Aidanstriptunic.jpg)
A very easy and comfy tunic, actually sleeveless but he is wearing a thermal underneath since it was so cold.
The belt was made by squire mickey at two gentlemen of fortune. I may try to team up and get him to do some belts for the line as well.
Quote from: Lady Raven on March 29, 2010, 05:45:53 PM
(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af359/LadyRaven30302/Aidanstriptunic.jpg)
Adorable!
Cute as a button!
Very cute, Lady Raven! I especially like the tunic. :)
Lady Raven, your sons tunic garb is absolutely darling! How old is he? That tunic idea seems like something perfect to slip onto my son...nice and comfy!
He's about to turn 3 on May 2ND. The tunic was made for him last year and fit more like a long robe but he wore pajama pants with it last year and I put a different belt around him. putting the belt around really helped finish the look of it. its in a very light linen fabric so very comfortable on him. by the way it fits now I think he may get one more year of wear out of it which to me is great that it will last me for three seasons. The fact that is is also roomy enough just in case it is chilly was great too, even the thermal still looked true to period.
Lady Kathleen of Olmsted made this outstanding Noble Class doublet and slops for my nephew last year.....
(http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7620/savers0499.jpg)
Rohn!
In the recent Issue of RENAISSANCE magazine, there were photos of the Norman Medieval Faire. I was surprised that there were no photos of Alex, dressed as Noble as he was.
Oh well!! His ensemble will fit him better this year as he has grown upwards a bit. Which is why I allowed room for growth!! ;)