Tudor Outfit at Hanford ROK
October 11, 2004

Well, this one will be a short entry, I think.

I just wanted to share the photos of my husband and our son wearing their new garb at Hanford Renaissance of Kings.

Well, technically, my son's outfit is only partially new (the chemise) and needs some work on the chemise to make it more comfortable for him (sleeves hang too long and irritate him). The trim on the gown looks much better than the old trim.  ...

Yeah, Cam has his mouth full of crackers... it didn't take him very long to get his outfit all messy. These photos were taken at the beginning of faire on Saturday. And keeping shoes on his feet... yeah, right. He did remove the gown by noon, and sometimes threatened to run naked, so just keeping the chemise on him was a hard thing to do.

I am pretty happy overall with both outfits. Now to make my basic Tudors sparkle and shine, as befitting the next character I get to play... a niece to the King.
:-)

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Photos of ...the Toddler Gown
October 1, 2004

Toddler's White Linen Chemise & Blue Velveteen Over Gown
The linen chemise goes under a blue velveteen boy's gown that I originally made for my son when he was barely able to stand. It still fits him, but I decided it was time to spiff it up some with trim that matches his father's outfit. I also droped the large hem to make it longer. Originally, the gown was floor length, but now with his growth it nearly reached his knees. After adjustment, the gown is about calf length, which will do for now, until I have time to make his next gown, which is planned for wearing at Halloween and Kearney Park in November.

Toddler's White Linen Chemise & Blue Velveteen Over Gown
View of the toddler-sized linen chemise	Full view of toddler dress with linen chemise underneath	Closer view of upper area showing trim and pleating arrangement

And now, off to bed.

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A Toddler's Linen Chemise.
September 30, 2004

Wow, I actually completed 95% work on the Cam's little linen chemise in one day! That's from creating a pattern to hand sewing the little hook and eyes on it. The only part left is to thread the ribbon into the wrist channels (or maybe thin elastic), and hem the bottom. I need to let it hang, to let the bias sides stretch out before trimming for the hem. If I had actually made the pattern period, there wouldn't have been any bias sides, but I wanted it as simple as I could, considering the time constraint.

I based the chemise pattern on a Kwik Sew toddler's master pattern for a basic raglan shirt. I then extended the length, made the sides flare out a bit, changed it from a button front to a slit back, added in a larger facing that is hand sewed to the upper sleeves area, mainly so the facing doesn't flop out and the machine seams aren't visible. I then left the wrist area flared out instead of turning it under for the elastic edge. The ends of the sleeves are finished with eyelet lace and a machine embroidered stitch to finish the edge in white thread. The neckline has the eyelet lace as well. While eyelet lace isn't period per se, it does look like drawn worked lace which is period, and it isn't as frilly as normal lace would have been. With his currently long hair, I know people are still going to think he's a she.

All that sewing does make me wish I had a serger, because it would have sewn up a lot faster with one. I had to do a triple zig-zag stitch on the seams to prevent the linen from fraying, except under the facing. While I know that serger edges aren't period, I also have to deal with modern issues, like heavy washing of anything toddler related, and lack of time to hand sew everything. And it is on the inside where people won't be seeing them.

... Since I am not sleepy, I think I will do some more of the minor repairs, at least until my eyes glaze over or something. But I need something to drink first... water... water.

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