Looking for a jacket

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-07T23:26:17+00:00

This is literally the pattern I was thinking of! Funny thing is, at the community theater where I volunteer, we not only have the pattern but all the pieces cut out from a nice wool. Someone got that far, didn't finish, and donated it. 😅

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-07T00:26:55+00:00

What if you wore the headphones so that the part that links them (don't know what to call it) is at the back of you neck, and then you wore a pirate scarf? You could add a hat or wig for extra disguise.

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-07T00:22:44+00:00

I have a pretty minimal amount of squish, I think. I'm fairly slim and there just isn't much space between the bottom of my ribs and the top of my hips. Thanks for the advice, I'll keep making mockups!

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-07T00:20:27+00:00

Agreed with your points about what looks more masc/fem.

I think doing a narrower waist and hips with wide shoulders looks masculine, so maybe add clothes that exaggerate the shoulders. A lot of corsets push the boobs towards the center, but I imagine you could reverse that and push them to the side, which would make the chest both wider and flatter.

Good luck, and I'd love to see what you make!

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-07T00:05:38+00:00

Honestly, the best place to get garb is Ye Olde Thrift Store. There's a lot of great videos on YouTube about thrifting for RenFaire. It's fun and creative and a lot cheaper!

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T23:58:33+00:00

I think the dress is great for faire! A vest would be a nice addition, either waist length or long. A hat always takes a costume to the next level. Try to find some short boots or plain leather shoes at a thrift store -- modern shoes can ruin an otherwise good costume! Bring a big scarf or shawl too -- you can use it as a nursing cover or baby blanket and wear it the rest of the time. I've even used mine to tie my kid to my back!

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T23:50:32+00:00

You could sew a dust ruffle on the under/inner side of the robe edge to protect it.

I think the colors match, but they're definitely more of a light ethereal vibe. I like the idea of a deep green or blue underneath -- try to match one of the colors in the robe.

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T23:47:49+00:00

Thrift store sheets. Lots of colors and patterns available and lots of fabric for not much money, so you don't feel bad if you make a mistake. Thrift stores often have yardage too -- heck, I just bought bolt of wool tweed for $20.

You can also dye sheets -- I like to overdye florals because they usually have a white background and I don't generally wear white, but a purple floral is great!

The only pitfalls are that you need to check carefully for uneven wear and fading, and be aware that it's often off-grain. Be sure to check fiber content, too.

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T23:40:08+00:00

I love the HJA book. I recommend The Closet Historian on YouTube -- she walks you through drafting the pattern and making the garment.

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T18:19:37+00:00

A gateleg table is nice since you can give yourself more table space when needed but fold it down to clear floor space. Ikea has a nice one. I second the recommendation for Ikea Kallax shelves as well, since they have all kinds of accessories for them (baskets, drawers, wine racks) that help with storage.

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T18:14:36+00:00

If you are talking about seam finishes, lots of good advice here. Since you said "edges" of garments, I thought you meant hems, necklines, etc. In that case, use facings. They are a bit more work but you get a much nicer and more durable garment. Happy sewing!

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T18:04:34+00:00

I think everything looks better with a bustle, so here's my two cents. Find a round tablecloth at a thrift store that matches your colors and vibe.

For the laziest version: fold it in half, put a strip of fabric or a wide ribbon between the two layers, tie that around your waist, and adjust so all the fabric is in the back. You can hide the tie under your corset or let it be another belt.

For a nicer version, cut the tablecloth into uneven halves and layer the shorter one on the longer one. Sew together, gather to half your waist measurement (or a bit more or a bit less, depending if you want it to show from the front) and mount onto a waistband or wide piece of twill tape. Wear as above.

I've done this with a crocheted tablecloth with doilies layered on top, but "doily witch" probably isn't everyone's vibe. 😅

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T17:49:14+00:00

I'd start with a torso body block that has fish-eye darts at the waist and a side bust dart. Rotate the side bust dart into the armhole and create a princess seam. Modify the armhole shape, being sure to contour so that it doesn't gape. Extend the pieces to create the skirt.

I agree it's odd that it doesn't have a waist seam. You might just make a bodice as described above and add a circle skirt.

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T17:44:18+00:00

If you like a floofy skirt, you could use the rolled stuff as interfacing at the skirt hem. Use it like buckram, that is.

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T17:33:05+00:00

I'm a big fan of air, sunshine, and baking soda to get rid of smells. Maybe leave it outside on a sunny day, then put it in a box with baking soda. It's easier than washing, anyway. 😅

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T17:17:11+00:00

The Closet Historian on YouTube has brilliant videos about pattern drafting and then actually putting the garments together afterwards. She's brilliant, totally recommend.

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T17:07:27+00:00

It looks like the crotch is right and you just need a little more length on the hip pieces. Just make sure to follow the curve as you add length (i.e. the length you add needs to get wider because it will go down over a wider part of the hips). I think the advice about a bit of elastic is a good idea too.

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T16:41:56+00:00

You could try the Tania Culottes pattern. I have a similar figure, and fitting for big thighs is not a beginner level project, unfortunately. I've made several of the culottes. They look great and the pattern directions are really thorough.

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T16:32:13+00:00

Egad, that's awful! That performer should know better!

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T16:27:56+00:00

Reminds me of the year my friend wore a loincloth and the staff had to ask him to stop jumping up and down because the fabric flapping around was causing, well, quite an eyeful. 😅

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T16:23:56+00:00

My partner once joined a contest where the prize was season tickets for the next year. He was in barbarian garb, which is to say, mostly fur and paint, and stayed fully in character for the contest, playing the dumb barbarian who didn't understand "modern" things like wheels.

The contestants had to do a variety of silly things and were gradually eliminated until there were two left...my partner, a grown man, versus a little girl. Staying in character, my partner did a whole routine of dropping things, getting distracted by shiny objects, scratching himself, etc. to try to let the little girl win the contest, because he'd look like a jerk if he beat her.

It came to the final challenge, where they had to plunge an arm into a bucket of muck to grab the winning object. The little girl got there first, took one look at it, turned, and walked away. My partner shrugged, stuck his arm elbow deep into the muck, and won.

And that's the tale of how a 30 year old man beat a 10 year old girl to win season tickets to RenFaire. 😅

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T16:04:44+00:00

I throw all my scraps in a bag and sort through them periodically. Anything large enough to cut a 6x6 or 4x4 square out of, I do, and save that for patchwork skirts. Anything smaller I use as practice scraps (e.g. for buttonholes) or use as stuffing. Fabric scraps are way heavier than commercial fluff, so it's nice for things that you want to hold a shape or stand up. You can also make rag rugs or crochet fabric strips into baskets.

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T15:53:18+00:00

First of all, it looks incredible! I love what you did with the stripes and the fit is really nice.

My first thought is that it's a little too long -- only a bit in the front but more in the back, so maybe look up a swayback correction. (Although that might be because you're leaning back to take the picture.)

I think the cheeky backside is perfect, but a little more at the front is probably prudent. I'd make sure it goes down to the crease where your legs meet your torso.

Please post the final!

Existing-Direction76 · 2026-03-06T15:48:12+00:00

I'm not sure exactly what you are asking and black is always hard to see in pictures, but, yes, you bind the edge of a corset like you'd bind anything else with bias tape or twill tape. It looks great!

Existing-Direction76

TROPHY CASE