My best friend's little girl loves going to the renaissance faire and I'd love to get her an out fit so she can get dressed up. However, she is NOT a girly-girl. She already has a wooden broadsword that is almost as tall as she is and a leather scabbard to carry it. She is definitely a warrior girl.
But when we go to the joust, she also runs to the front when the knights are giving out the roses and they never pick her because they assume she is a boy. She's got a short haircut.
I need help to try and figure out what kind of outfit to get her that she will wear, but that will also show that she is a girl.
When I started going at nine I didn't want to wear a dress. Grandma made me poofy below the knees pants and a blouse. I had green cowboy boots with fringe and a tie around each leg at the bottom of the pants. I wore a flower wreath on my head but carried a bow and arrows! You could make her a split skirt with pants underneath.
Basic chemise, poofy pants, and a cincher. I think a cincher screams GIRL! But it doesn't have to be tight or anything. I sketched this up in a hurry.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/r_koetter/dfc7a2f2.jpg)
Please note none of this is to scale. lol
If you don't have boots you can do colorful knee high socks and have the pants tie at or below the knee. (I'm assuming you have better sewing skills than I do. lol)
I did something similar my first project for the kiddo and made her a little Limey Birds outfit. Chemise, skirt, bloomers and cincher. I used that stiff backing stuff... facing? (no, I think that goes on a house..pfft!) efacment? (help me out her ladies!) between 2 different colors of cloth to keep it from folding and also make it revesible.
She can still run with the bulls and look like a lady and get the roses.
What about making her a pirate ensemble using more feminine fabrics and some bloomers or a shorter skirt over leggings/boots?
Lady L made a fantastic pink pirate coat for her DGD a couple of years ago (posted in the Gallery of Finished Projects (http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=89.msg4075#msg4075)), and McCall's has this unisex pattern (http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m4952-products-5179.php?page_id=494):
(http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/M4952.jpg)
I thought Simplicity also had a girls' version of their women's pirate ensemble (3677), but I'm not seeing it on their site, alas.
If you're not up to sewing, there are *gads* of feminine-without-being-sexy ( :o!) little girls' pirate costumes available, like this darling one (http://cgi.ebay.com/Sassy-Victorian-Pirate-Girls-Costume-Medium-8-10-/190514967090?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5b93b232) on ebay.
That pattern is super easy to use. I use the pants and vest for my little lad.
You could use girly but darker colors like purples and tealish blues for her or what ever her favorite color is.
TY for finding that link, gem. ;D
This year, she's 10, so I made her a blue velveteen with gold trim pirate coat. I plan to make pants and shirt to go with it and it was a Simplicity kid's boy/girl pattern. The 2nd pattern was a bigger size, but somewhat different. Both were good.
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s216/Lady_L_MN/Bluepiratecoat2sm.jpg)
Boy style in girl's colors? Girl style in darker colors? An elf type ensemble, shirt, jerkin, pants? I like the other ideas, too.
Once Debauched, I think you mean interfacing. :)
A garland would look nice though I am a tad biased lol
Thanks for all of the suggestions. They are great. However, I have zero sewing ability, so if you have any suggestions about where to purchase some items, I would be very appreciative.
Gem, I love that pirate outfit and I might try for it.
But just in case I don't get it, some names of other online stores that might have what I need would be wonderful.
Thanks everybody!
Seriously, go to the local Goodwill or Salvation army. You would be amazed at what you can find! And remember to think outside the box. Clothing is easy to alter by cutting and pinning. You can dye anything the wrong color and if the pants are too long just cut the bottom off. After all, the clothing only costs a couple bucks!! ;D
Good choices for Goodwill/thrift shops/Walmart would be tall boots, leggings, and a white woman's blouse with oversized cuffs and collar--or even a peasant blouse (the "chemise" I'm wearing in this picture (http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/2153606/39527520.jpg) was purchased at Dress Barn! It makes a *hideous* blouse, but fab Fairwear!). Instead of a waist cincher (or a leather belt, which might look more boyish), tie a colorful sash around her waist (lots of pretty, inexpensive scarves out there right now!). I'd choose colors that look more feminine, or details like embroidery on the peasant top. A Robin Hood hat would probably be adorable on her, and *everyone* loves capes/cloaks! Here's a nifty Etsy dealer (http://www.etsy.com/shop/GoodsPlace?ref=seller_info) with some kids' stuff.
This Etsy peasant blouse (http://www.etsy.com/listing/64095717/girls-size-9-10-renaissance-faire-flared?ref=sr_gallery_26&ga_search_query=girl%26%2339%3Bs+renaissance+&ga_noautofacet=1&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Fclothing) is a nice choice; she'd be free to tote her sword and shield all around fair, but it's a frillier style no boy would wear:
(http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.201045291.jpg)
(And also you cannot beat that price! $9!!)
Etsy is where I would go for new. But thrift stores and wally world are a good bet, look in the ladies section for the best results.