With a recent bout of negative energy going around I had this thought come into my head.
We have all been at faire and some has had an issue with garb or you have had a problem. How have other's helped you or you have helped other's?
An example, one weekend at scarby the pink pirate and I had just come into the faire when we were stopped by a group of paytrons. After chatting with them and pictures were taken, one girl mentioned that she had bought a the bodice she was wearing at another faire, since then she had tried wearing it but it never fit right since. As a seamstess I took a look on how she was wearing it. For one it wasn't laced correctly and it wasn't laying correctly. I offered to help her with it. We went between tow tents and adjusted the lacings at little, and had her do the ELM. She said it felt odd, but she would give it a try. A few hours later we ran into her at a shop. She was so happy. Now that her friends, and herself knew how to lace it properly she would wear it more. She had the support she wanted, and had the figure she wanted, and it was no longer cutting her under the arms and hips. Made her day at faire.
When I was still making costumes for people, I'd always help them out in some way, whether it be showing how to do something in a better way (I hate using the word 'correctly', just sounds wrong), offer free inspirational advice on how to make their character more interesting. I've made plenty of costumes for people till my eyeballs crossed at late hours.
Even now, though I no longer make costumes, people always ask me if they think something is right or wrong with what they are wearing and such, I've always offered suggestions as to how to improve, do something differently, or whatever is needed if anything at all.
I have to say, in our Pirates of Treasure Cove group, we have some very talented and gifted people who make outfits that are just downright fun.
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/RumbaRue/cheers.gif)
I was dropping off sewing commissions and doing some on the fly fittings one day before opening gate. One of the masquers (harp player, I believe) had just had a large chunk of hem fall out of her skirt. Since I had my mini sewing kit right there with me, I sat down and tacked up her hem (with the dress still on her!) during morning meeting.
I got into a conversation with a gentleman wearing his buddie's great kilt. The friend hadn't shown him how to wear it, and he had it wrapped around his waist like 5 time, and the upper portion very awkwardly held in his arms! I didn't want to criticize, so I didn't. But I did like the tartan it was made from, and went to ask him about it. He asked me in turn what I thought of his outfit, so I told him that his kilt should be pleated, and that if it were wrapped properly, he wouldn't have to hold onto the upper half. He was wearing bike shorts underneath it, so he was able to take it off. I did an impromtu great kilt wrapping demo on the green by the jousting field with several patrons watching. Got him all bundled up nice and neat, showed him how my modern kilt was pleated in a similar fashion and explained the general evolution from great kilt to modern wee kilt, and I know made his day at the fest a whole lot more comfortable! He was wrapped up so tight in that thing that he was having a hard time walking!
I had a paytron come up to me and ask me how to lock lace. She had bought a cheap bodice from one of the knockoff places for $20 and it was just falling apart, since she was trying to tightlace. I did a quick demo on the bottom 4 or 5 sets of grommets, explained why the 'pretty pattern' was also very practical, as it keeps the laces (and the girls) from slipping, and then kindly aimed her at the Likely Lotus shop, for a properly boned bodice.
I told her to have owner or his wife lace her into it. She bought it on the spot.
Win/win. Happy girl meets happy vendor.
A young man had just purchased his first kilt via mail order and was wearing it proudly out to fair. He stopped into our shop to look at shoes. He commented that the kilt wasn't as comfortable as he thought it would be. I noticed he still had all the stitches for the pleats in. I quietly pulled him to the side and explained the problem and helped to pull the stay stitching out. He was thrilled with the new freedom of movement and left the shop without buying shoes, but a much happier kilted man. :D
Quote from: Marietta Graziella on August 11, 2010, 05:27:48 PM
A young man had just purchased his first kilt via mail order and was wearing it proudly out to fair. He stopped into our shop to look at shoes. He commented that the kilt wasn't as comfortable as he thought it would be. I noticed he still had all the stitches for the pleats in. I quietly pulled him to the side and explained the problem and helped to pull the stay stitching out. He was thrilled with the new freedom of movement and left the shop without buying shoes, but a much happier kilted man. :D
Oh, I hate pulling those d&^ned stitches! I always snag something! I have started asking my kilt makers to not put them in. Last straw was my double box pleated kilt. The kilt is B-E A-utfiul, but had 5 rows of stitches! It took me almost 2 hours to pull the things! Cudos to you for helping with that little issue.
Someone once helped me out a great deal, she was on cast at Sterling as one of the Queen's Ladies (I can't remember her character's name :-[ ) and happened by just at the right time!
My husband, some friends, and I were headed for the privys, and as I had not yet had my gown hemmed properly, I was having some difficulty walking in it. My husband, on the other hand, was having no trouble walking *on* it...he was on the back of the gown (accidentally, of course) and I kept moving forward...until I felt the clasp holding the overskirt come COMPLETELY off! He went to use the privy, I was holding up my skirt, trying to tuck it under my bodice or something...anything (did I mention this was our Wedding Day? Right after the ceremony but a few hours until the reception?) when I noticed a Lady leaving the privy, and on a whim asked if she happened to have a safety pin, or staples, or duct tape....well, I picked the right person to ask! She had some heavy-duty safety pins and she got me fastened securely, helped me straighten my skirts and re-align my bodice properly (I was a bit frantic trying to fix it myself) and then hurried off to meet the Queen! I barely had time to thank her, but she *REALLY* saved the day! ;D
I ALWAYS keep extra notions in my basket now :)
Yep, Tygrkat, extra safety pins are a MAJOR must have at Fest! And Band-Aids...
I am just learning how to sew and haven't helped anyone make garb or fix garb. However, I am the go-to person for anyone who wants to borrow garb for Halloween, a play, their first faire.
And due to bad experiences, I have decided not to loan garb out anymore except to a few very good friends, but people come to me to ask how to put something together for them, which I am always happy to do. And I don't mind lending a belt, a mug, etc. to help them complete their outfit.
I've got a couple - not surprisingly involving the Ladies,
A few years back while camping at TRF, we had some folks new to faire camp next to us and as happens, struck up a nice friendship with them. My friend who I was camping with is notorious for lending her garb, wanting others to have the enoyment of going to faire for the 1st time, from the playtron perspective. It wasn't long before she had our neighbor's wife outfitted in a nice black cloak, skirt and corset, with a sheer green chemise,...quite a fetching sight!
The next morning while we were dressing for the day, our neighbor's wife came into our tent (my friend was outside at the time) and said "This doesn't seem to be right. Can you help me?" and opened her cloak to reveal her "lovelies" covered only by the sheer chemise and the corset underneath. She was such a sweet lass and SO vulnerable - yet so pretty and SO revealed - I had to keep my act together... (I could also picture her, though nice, size XL husband caving my head in if I didn't handle this in the utmost gentlemanly fashion). So, I calmly reached over to re-close her cloak and said "Let me have my friend help you. Wait here - ok?". Then calmly exited the tent and discreetly sent my friend into complete the "repairs". Thankfully, it there was further discretion and our new friends had a wonderful day at faire.
The second occurred outside of faire. We were enjoying day 2 of my little brother's "Bachelor-palooza". A 2-day bachelor party with my brother and his fellow Navy pilots, with me as the "elder statesman". We were to go to a local "gentlemen's establishment" for the evening. The best man had a friend who managed the club who was going to help us out with some serious drink discounts. I ended up going with him as the "advance party" to make the arrangements.
I was killing time near the front doors whil he made the arrangements. While waiting, I overheard 2 of the waitresses commenting about their "uniform" which was a black corset and black short-shorts. One waitress said to the other "I thought these things were supposed to enhance the girls. I got NOTHING!" I looked over and non-chalantly commented "You're not wearing it right." They look at each other, laugh saying "yeahhh right!" Then I say, "No, seriously. I go to renaissance festivals all the time. I've helped many a lass into their corsets and bodices...I can help you if you like. No funny business." They consider and finally, the complaintant allows me to assist. I help her get situated, place my hand on her stomach, instruct her to hold there, then take a knee and get her cinched and tied off. Seeing her new look - she squeals and yells "I've got b**bies!" Her friend then says "Do me!" As I'm taking care of her, I notice a conga line of lovely ladies lined up for my assistance.
That's exactly the moment when the best man and the rest of the party come in to see me in all my "glory". Not a bad night for the "elder statesman!" :D
Quote from: LadyFae on August 11, 2010, 10:46:23 PM
Yep, Tygrkat, extra safety pins are a MAJOR must have at Fest! And Band-Aids...
And laces. Carry a few yards of whatever you like to lace with. Comes in handy for all sorts of things. I had to devise a leash for a puppy once, and even tied down a tent.
So far, the only help I have been is:
Lacing up the occassional bodice/corset
Gave a nice walking stick I had purchased while on Safety Services (that I didn't use anymore) to a rookie cast member. He still uses it.
Giving random items to folks who are in need of something that I have and don't use, or my son has out grown.
Most recently, my fiance and I have a friend that will be working Safety Services at MRF. For those who haven't seen what SS wears at MRF, think a mud tartan kilt with a red shirt and a yellow tabard with a red equilateral cross on it. We had a TON! of yellow fabric that would work perfectly for a doublet, so we are making one for him so he doesn't have to wear the icky old tabards.
I have not seen anybody with the basting stitches still in their kilt, but I have helped out a few guys over the years with "kilt orientation issues" (the pleats go in back kids!) ::)
I guess it's because we've both worn uniforms for a time in our lives, but my wife and I are seldom without access to a sewing kit and a handful of safety pins and little zip-ties, so we've helped out with the random garb malfunction here and there.
I always carry a box of safety pins in one of my pouches, and I generally give out a few every day at Faire, or help to pin up whatever is malfunctioning.
Lady Kathleen on here has been VERY helpful in getting my garb by her to sit right and fit right throughout my weightloss, above and beyond normal contractual seamstress duties. She's great!
Last year at Bristol, I was having issues with the filigree belt that I had made. It came apart twice. There was a very nice patron at the Friends of Faire glade that repaired it for me.
Yes!!! Even I have garb issues at times!
What a lovely thread.
You've not only shown how wonderful you all are for helping out but also you have given me ideas to make sure I had with!
Thank you!!!
Lady Serena helps me (alot) when I sew!
I can't count the number of people I have helped with lacing issues, ripped seams, undone hems, etc.
I carry 3 different sizes of safety pins,
(http://www.katzxstitch.co.uk/images/DMCStorkScissors.jpg), extra laces and a mini sewing kit in my velvet reticule.
I also carry aspirin,cough drops, peppermints and benadryl for alergic reactions.