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A little help please?

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Chihoshi_Kurocho

PostPosted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:13 am


I've just started a Live action Roleplay set in the 1430's (England).
I'm currently making the first part of my costume proper - the cloak.
I've done some reasearch on fashion for the period and based my design on what I found.
currently, I'm hemming the material, ready for the decorations to be added.
I'm using a bright orange silk which will have pearl beads sewn onto it, and the brooch holding it is a pearl brooch of a design appropriate for the era.
I know bright orange may seem a little much, but my research shows that bright colours with lots of metal and stones was in fashion.
I'm also going to put a trim on the visible hems (mainly to hide my lacklustre sewing abiliy) but I'm not 100% sure if I should use fur or fabric.
I'll get some pictures up when I get my camera fixed.

Once I've done the cloak, I'm gonna look at working on a dress - but until then, any advice, tips or comments would be appreciated.
PostPosted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 4:53 pm


For the trim, I might suggest some lace, but only for the collar, possibly the bottom hem.
...just a suggestion

kiko54


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PostPosted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 4:58 pm


Unforgettable in every way,
And forever more, thats how you'll stay

User ImageLace for the trim would be nice. To me, lace seems sophisticated when used right.
That's why, darling, it's incredible
That someone so unforgettable,
Thinks that I am unforgettable too....
PostPosted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:18 pm


I think if you're going for an upper class look, fur would work really well. Fur was quite the status symbol. And just after a quick perusal of Costume 1066 to the Present by John Peacock, a slightly more popular choice during the early fifteenth century.

P.S. Just out of curiousity, where did you get your information about the appropriate colours? I'm currently working on a paper on that topic and I've been looking for similar resources. 3nodding

Dice Lees


Chihoshi_Kurocho

PostPosted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:37 pm


I can't remember the title - It's a book in my uni library about fashion in the 1400's.
When I get back to the library I'll post the title, author and ISBN for you.

And I was thinking fur, but I'm worried it won't go with the cloak material - it's a very shiney silky material.
I'll have to look and see what I can get.
Thanks for the tips so far
PostPosted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:42 pm


Fur would be the way to go on that one, I'd say. Lace, unfortunately, came along later. Fake fur is fine, though. People were making fake fur as early as about the 8th century or so (though to be honest in those days, it kinda looked like a sheep exploded onto some burlap, but it was the Norse doing it, and I don't think they minded so much).

For the cloak, I'd suggest a cotton or, more properly, linen, unless you need it to be warmer, in which case, wool is the way to go. A fur-trimmed cloak is an exellent way to go on that, as well. Woven or braided trim is fine, as well, but sometimes a little harder to find. Most fabric stores have some, but a favorite source of mine for trims is Calontir Trim. For the time period , you'll want to steer more towards the non-metallic trims.

Another way to go on trimming, if you really want to get elaborate, is to employ a few embroidery stitches to create a repeated pattern around neck, sleeve, and even hem, if you so desire. Small glass beads as an accent are also very nice. Glass "gems" that are sewn on are also appropriate. There is a great guy who sells these, but has no mail-order thing set up. If you plan to go to Pennsic next summer, however, he's always there.

Lhuv-Kerapht

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Chihoshi_Kurocho

PostPosted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:58 am


Well I have the material sorted - and I've almost finished the hemming. I'm no good at cutting fabric, so to get it to look like a cloak/cape I cheated a little - but I think it looks ok.
I'm also going to be sewing little pearl beads onto it to add some detail.
PostPosted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:17 pm


to help strenthen the hem use bias tape.... sweatdrop least the part that is on the ground...

Phoenix_soarys

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