April – May 2004
My first attempt at sewing something other than throw pillows and panel drapes. Sabrina instructed me step-by-step, with everything from interpreting the pattern to adding bias tape. It’s Simplicity’s 9929 with Ever After sleeves in all poly blends. Bag and hat are Fantasy Fashion’s Renaissance Maiden.
Aaron is wearing the doublet and breeches Sabrina made for him the year before (Simplicity 5574). I remember there was some debate over the selection of this pattern. But Sabrina told Aaron he had no say in the matter: he would be wearing poof pants. As a compromise, she agreed not to stuff them. I think she assembled the whole outfit in about 2 days, along with a costume for myself, so we’d have something to wear for the 2003 faire. I made him a linen shirt (Simplicity 7761), a hat (McCalls 2802), and some goofy arm bands to complete the ensemble
The Second Costume
June – July 2004
I made the skirt and bodice to go over the first dress, in an attempt to be more historically accurate. But it ended up as a new outfit all together. It’s green dupioni and black cotton embroidered with rows of vines and leaves. I actually tried to make a corset but didn’t have the necessary skills at this point. Bodice and skirt are Simplicity’s 0663. The paned sleeves are Margo Anderson’s Elizabethan Gentleman, and the forepart is Simplicity’s 8881, Elizabethan. I’m wearing a hoop skirt underneath, and Sabrina’s silk chemise. The hat, Fantasy Fashion’s Renaissance Maiden, is linen, and I added a silk veil. Aaron is wearing the outfit Sabrina made for him. We got a few compliments on our color scheme, as these costumes looked nice together, and just one snooty remark, “I like your machine embroidery.”