Maternity Faire Garb

[LadyFae]

I know that there is an old thread regarding this but I figured that a new one wouldn't be too bad to start.  =D
Please post pictures and links of maternity gowns, gowns that could be used as maternity garb, actual pregnant rennies at Faire in garb, ect.  =)  There are so many options out there for pregnant rennies so it would be great to share ideas!

These are a couple of pictures I found of myself (taken by sobophoto) last year at Olde World Renaissance Faire in Twig, MN.  In these pictures I was 6 or 7 months pregnant but I guess that I don't really look it.  I also wore this gown to MNRF well into my final month!



and the back, sort of...

[gem]

I think this is stunning. You look gorgeous, and not just from the maternal glow! 

Could you share a few details about the construction of the gown/s? Did you use a pattern? How did you plan for your changing shape, etc?

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

The new Margo Anderson Tudor Woman's Ensemble pattern also can be tweaked for Maternity wear.

[LadyFae]

Well, I have NO sewing background at all so I most likely will not use any of the proper terms, so please forgive me in advance!
I very loosely based this gown on Radmilla DeGant's "welcome" gown from the movie "Everafter."  I went to Joann's and bought 3 fabrics that I liked and thought would work well for this gown, just guessing on yards needed.  I started with sketches then drew out a bodice on some newspaper that fit my measurments.  I wanted it very simple to get in and out of and I wanted to be able to wear it this year when I am breastfeeding (but changed my mind this year and made another new gown anyway) so I have only one closure- a metalic gold fabric frog.  After I made my green bodice I pleated a skirt to the waistband and added the yellow to the bodice as a collar and to the bottom of the skirt.  then I trimmed it out with some gold braid.  I decided that I liked the look of the "split cape" thing on Radmilla's gown (they aren't hanging sleeves) so I added those and actual sleeves as well.  With my scraps I made a couple of little pouches, arm bands and a French hood.  For the undergown I just turned down the top, added elastic and beaded over the seam then hemmed the bottom.  I found a chemise pattern online (dawn's pages?) and made a chemise.  I did this all by hand because I don't own nor know how to use a sewing machine.  Fabric glue became my best friend because the yellow fabric shreds very easily.  The bodice was supposed to end a little bit higher up- like a true empire waist- but I accidently made it a little long- it worked out perfectly anyway because of how I carried and because I didn't get very large.  The summer ended up getting really hot so for MNRF I took the extra pink satiny material and added sleeves to the gown so that I didn't have to wear my chemise and heavy sleeves (though I prefered that look.) So anyway, the gown is far from professional quality but it held together and I liked how it looked AND it was very comfortable to wear.

[auntiegiggles]

Dont let Fae fool you.  She is absolutely a perfectionist when it comes to making her gowns.  She measures, measures again and re-measures before stitching.  She is very meticulous.   

[Leyla]

Does anyone know of any patterns for cropped bodices? I think I'd like to try my hand at making my own.  I like Morescas Khadij bodice, but I worry about fit on a garment ordered online. Plus, I worry about ordering now when I know my body is still growing.

[Lady L]

Hi Leyla,
McCall's had one, you can find in the Out of Print section now.
http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m4994-products-6399.php?page_id=993

[Adriana Rose]

That one is not that hard. Just BEWARE it has princess seams over the bust and i kinda sewed it wrong and it gave me Madonna boobs. After swearing at it and tearing it apart it looks great.  Be sure to put at least a zip tie in next to the grommets or it will bunch like crazy!

Make it big so it would fit your bust if it desides to grow after you finish it!

and as always

PICTURES PICTURES PICTURES!

[Leyla]

Princess seams *shudder* Maybe I'd be better off just chopping off some length on another pattern?

[Kate XXXXXX]

If you have one that fits well and can be adjusted for your increased and increasing size (remember, it's not just the boobs that get bigger: your whole ribcage expands as baby gets larger and pushes up on your liver and lights!    ) then yes, do that. 

[Cilean]

Okay so from what has been thought of the Spanish Ropa or Robe

http://www.renaissancetailor.com/diaries_morninggown.htm


Larsdaughter has some great pictures of Maternity Fashions:
http://www.larsdatter.com/maternity.htm

Pregnant Lady Portrait from 1595:


Here is a Laurel Ropa which is very nice indeed!



Margo's Comfort Line:
http://www.margospatterns.com/Products/ElizComfrt.html

Here are some Ropas that I have found of lovely Enciente Ladies:




Tudor Tailor's Ninya does chat about her pregnancies and what she found out about her normal garb
www.tudortailor.com


Good Luck!
Cilean

[operafantomet]

Eva Andersson also has a kirtle-and-loose-gown combo she made during pregnancy:

http://web.comhem.se/~u31138198/PoFkirtle.html

[Cilean]

It took me this long to remember where I had seen someone discussing not changing her actual wear and making it work.
This is Margaret of Northwode from the SCA she took photos of her being very pregnant and using her usual garb.




Here is her photostream regarding this.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mofnorwood/2468893194/in/photostream/

I wish Ninya had taken photos of herself as well, because she noticed the same thing, she was using woolen garb but she was able to tie things and still keep her usual gear on during her pregnancy.


Cilean

[GirlChris]

Cilean: There's no links in your post

Also, iMs. Mikhaila said on her personal site that she DID in fact, record what garb she did for herself and her little one, but it's being saved for a new book (yay new book!)