Ren Faire Costumes

I have been going to Renaissance fairs for a few years now, and I usually make my own costume to wear. Since I am doing this on my own, I want to share my costumes on my artsy/craftsy blog.

First Year: 2010 Bellevue Berry Patch 

Yep, I'm awkward at posing

My first attempt at sewing anything remotely this complicated. I believed I used a Simplicity pattern. I made it too big in the shoulders and too long, but overall I was happy with the results..at least til I got to the fair. You may have noticed that it's outside...in the summer...and I'm wearing velveteen. So I learned something that year!

Second Year: 2011 Scary Acres

Mirror Selfie -classy!

This year I wanted to do something a little different than your middle ages Ren Faire. I couldn't decide between pirate or western, so I mixed them together! Unfortunately, this is the only picture that survived the Great Computer Crash of 2013, so its not the greatest. All pieces were from Goodwill and very little was modified. I created draped skirt layers with safety pins. I wore real cameo jewelry and heeled boots to top it off.

Second Year: 2011 Bellevue Berry Patch

I could be wearing anything in this picture...or nothing!

I pooped out for the second ren faire of the summer. I wore a t shirt and jeans. But don't worry, things get better!

Third Year: 2012 Bellevue Berry Patch

Rwar foxy laday!

I said screw it to patterns this year because I didn't have months to work on it. Spring sorta crept up on me this year. That being said, this is probably my favorite costume because I totally made it up in one day! The skirt is a bed sheet, the vest I got from Goodwill and modified, same with the undershirt. The apron and hat I made from fabric I had laying around. And the pièce de résistance: the fox tail! I actually bought that from a vendor at the fair. And yes, it is real. Turns out, people back in the old days would have to walk through fields and meadows to get to their neighbors. If you've ever walked through a field you know that means bugs! Lots of 'em. To deal with this problem, people would wear tails of animals. The bugs would be attracted to the pelt/fur rather than their skin. Once they reached their destination, they would drop the tail into a basket outside the door just for this purpose. Pretty smart, eh?

Anyway, got sidetracked... so I had so much free time after this costume that I made a second for my boyfriend to wear that year.

M'lady?

Not the greatest picture of his costume, but mine was better anyway!

Year Four: 2013

Could we zoom in please?

You know how you get better at things when you practice? Well that definitely proved true with 2013's costume. Once again I went back to patterns, but this time all the frustrations worked out!. This is by far the most money I have ever spent on costume making. All told, I think this one cost about $90 plus of course 2 weeks of labor! I also made a cloak to go over the dress, but it was too warm for it. 

Got a little Marilyn action going on

Remember that boyfriend I was talking about? Yeah, he got a costume too. I also made that. His costume clocked in at $75. Yikes! So that's where May's rent went! We had a good time though, and these can be worn again for years...as long as neither of us gets fat!

It's getting to be time to start planning for 2014. The boyfriend wants to be a knight...maybe I'll go as a horse and mix things up a little!

Key or Jewelry Holder

Pintrest bender! While I was perusing I found a cute piece of art that could also double as a key ring holder. The project seemed simple enough, and I had everything I needed on hand! Most people have this stuff lying around...except for the keys. I bought mine at Michael's a few months ago, hoping to find a project to use them in.

Supplies I gathered: an old frame, scrap of fabric, keys, hot glue gun, craft glue, paint/paintbrushes.

Craft Supplies

First I had to get the frame disassembled. Remove glass, any art or pictures, and the supporting cardboard. After that I painted the whole thing a golden yellow with a red accent. The accent helps tie it in with my living room where it will be hung. Drying time was pretty fast with acrylic paints.

While it was drying I took the cardboard that was the back of the frame and my fabric of choice. Place the fabric face down and the cardboard on top of that. Cut around the board, leaving at least an inch around the edge.

Use craft glue to glue the edges of the fabric around the cardboard. Let dry.
Screw small hooks into the bottom of the frame to hold keys or jewelry.
Replace the fabric-covered board into frame. Arrange keys how you want them. Hot glue one by one.

The Almost Finished Project

If your frame had hanging hooks or pieces already in place you are finished! Mine didn't so I am thinking of attaching some picture wire and hooks to the back or frame for hanging.

DIY Phone Case Designs

I was browsing through Etsy earlier this week, when I came across a DIY phone case design kit. This is such an easy idea for personalizing your phone that I can't believe I didn't think of it on my own! I ordered a kit for an iphone, even though I don't have an iphone. The kit came with everything needed to design your own case (even a case, although I didn't use it) except glue. There were four sizes of pearls, a bow, and a piece of lace.

Parts of the kit.

Since I don't have an Iphone (Galaxy S4), I used an old case that needed some sprucing up. I made some variations because of differing placements of cameras and speakers.

The final project.

I feel like it is totally doable to find things in crafts stores to put together your own kit. It is a very affordable project. I think the kit was $5 plus shipping, total coming to less than $9. Compared to a similar case online (fully decorated, $30+) this is a great deal!
Mostly this project was gluing. It took about an hour and a half to complete.
I used a hot glue gun and tweezers to attach everything. It took about half of a small gluestick. I was worried that pieces would fall off, but so far only two pearls have fallen off. If I do this again I may look into super glue or another adhesive.