lrp_costume_uk

Fools & Heroes Guildford

2008-06-27T10:31:40Z

I will be at the Fools and Heroes event in Guildford this weekend

I got convinced to come and trade for actual money instead of LT gold.

Crazy.

Ok, so there will be a 5m bell tent full of costume and cheap kit up and trading this weekend. Cloaks, corsets, tankards, jewellery, male and female clothing, props, and weapons.

a little help?

2008-06-17T14:35:45Z

So I'm going an event on sunday celebrating the anniversery of The Red Hose Race in a village near where i live.

http://www.redhoserace.co.uk/

and of course im taking the opportunity to dress up. but the thing is im a bit confused...

it asks us to dress like they did 500 years ago which by my reaconing is the 16th century (1508) which would be tutor/renaissance dress right? but the events and entertainment avaliable are all medieval so im a bit confused about my historical accuracy.

i'm working on a basic wench costume with a strapless corset thing, lots of skirts and a chemise underneath but can that pass as medieval? i know that most people won't be too worried about the historical accuracy but i'm picky when it comes to things like this :)

i don't have much time to do anything fancy (plus a lack of funds) but could anyone give any help or advice on something quick and simple that i can run up for sunday?

thanx :D xx

x-posted so sorry for the repetition! x

lrp_costume_uk @ 2008-05-26T11:31:00

2008-05-26T10:32:26Z

For those of you who are not members of regencyclothing here is a link to one of the best costume sites I've ever seen.

OK it's in Italian, but just lookit the pretties! There is a page translated into English telling you roughly where everything is though, and which sections have lots of pictures, which is helpful.

She has 300 items, mostly Victorian but a good selection of Regency and a couple of Gowns Anglaise. She has dresses, she has corsets, she has hats, she has shoes, she has deshabille, she has bathoing costumes, she has everything, all photographed lovingly from different angles.

There is so much cool stuff on this site that I ran out of time to look at it all -

Crossposted promiscuously.

Advice

2008-05-11T23:23:33Z

Hi!

Firstly I must say I'm sorry that I don't do LRP and if you want to delete this post I understand :)

I'm actually looking for some advice on a costume I'm currently developing. I'm creating a warrior queen look and so far have most the elements I need including a rather tough looking faux leather dress I made myself.

However what I really want is a Spaulder for one arm and have discovered that to get one that I'd really like online I'd have to fork out a small fortune.

Could someone please give me suggestions on potential places to get them or how I'd go about making a basic one?

Thanks! :)

just showing off

2008-05-05T16:04:57Z

My costume for the upcoming local summer events....

Boots are Dorothy Perkins ones from Ebay, sword and cloak from lrp-store, the rest was found in charity shops. :D.

I also have a bow and arrows (not shown as I have found its either the cloak OR the archery stuff. You would have to be SuperElf to have the lot all at once. :D.

Transporting delicate costume items.

2008-04-26T11:11:52Z

I've made a cloak that caused a stir at the Larpfair and it's still for sale, but I won't post it until I can find a way of transporting it by post in a manner that is safe.

Here it is -

It is made from very high quality velvet and has 28 peacock feather stitched around the collar. Needless to say I'm not going to shove this in a bag, great care needs to be taken when transporting such an item but I was wondering what you may suggest?

costume quandary

2008-04-25T13:28:57Z

having not made the last Maelstrom I am naturally rather happy to be going to a pub-night style event as this means I don't have to wait for months before my next larp-with-fans-and-pistols fix.

unfortunately I have a little under a month to arrange my costume for the event and have

A a very strict costume rule (i made it up but it's still strict): I am now in my third stage of mourning (purpley, nothing too dramatic)

B no spare fabric

c no money for fabric

D some scraps of purple and white* (possibly enough for a bodice and petticoat with careful cuttingbut there wouldn't be much fabric to them and may be too plain for the character) cotton, an old purple velvet dress in terrible condition, and some "pearl" beads swarovski crystals in various shades of violet and blue

do I

A: mend the velvet dress, removing the stained and tattered sleeves and collar and either replacing with white cotton ones (white cotton on velvet?!) leaving plain (it's not a very attractive dress and really quite shabby) or perhaps beading (I suspect beads on that velvet would just show up the poor quality of the cloth to be honest).

B attempt to make a bodice and skirt out of the cotton, add embellishments if possible (again crystals and cotton would be out of place) and brazen it out.

C wear last years costume despite the fact that I shouldn't be wearing grey any more.

D wear the previous (black) outfit which is at least the most striking and perhaps the most appropriate in style for the event with some purple accesories (it's a very starkly black dress and my personal feeling is that this would look gods awful)

Hayelp!

lrp_costume_uk @ 2008-03-23T16:39:00

2008-03-23T16:41:40Z

Now playing characters that are half "high elf" and half drow, is getting to be a Filmsy signature-tune.

So lets see. This is the prelimnary version of the new costume, as photographed this afternoon with the trusty self timer on the camera (mwahaha). Its my usual medievally hairdo (not clear in the pic) with white hair extensions clipped in (yay for ebay), and brown beaded braids (yay for local shop that sells all kinds of useful random rubbish for larping). The rest of my real hair (a load of waist long frizz) is in a long ponytail. I shall add some more extensions at the back. I hate having my real hair loose as its a pain to brush after.
For the pic I was wearing my favourite blue velvet tunic, which I wear round the house a lot. (I do want to get black velvet for this costume.) over a plain brown top and my usual black larp leggings. My usual LARP sword (from darkbladeuk), and a luuuuush belt from Dorothy Perkins (A trendie shop selling something cool? There is still hope in the universe!), And my brown cloak (from lrpstore) that I wear regardless of which character I am being, and which I also wear to work since I find wearing a sensible coat boring at times. Oh and my purple and gold medallion which is a charity shop find, and the head band is actually a gold coloured chain I got in Primark about 18 months ago, to wear round my hat when I was playing the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood The Panto. LOL. And

Yep, this is only the first draft of the cozzie, but I like the way its going. (and I have black boots to go with it)

feedback and thoughts welcome..

Newbie attempt at vambrace making.

2008-03-09T15:05:41Z

" You teach a girl to sew and make clothes for her dolls. When she grows up she suddenly takes to making vambraces and armour for herself. WTF? "
A friend on the phone yesterday.

My handy cut out and keep guide to making LARP vambraces in an hour and a half, for my elf ranger LARP character (to avoid doing University coursework).

(for the record these are my result so far)

You will need:

Some metal "eyes" to hammer in, or four old pet collars
scissors
a hammer
industrial strength superglue
some leatherette/ suede/ heavy duty felt
some heavier leather/ette
some fake fur
some really GOOD fabric glue (I used the hemming web from Woolworths)
an old rag for wiping up the mess.
some laces

So first of all, cut out the basic shape from your lighter leatherette/suede/felt. Size should be decided by the size of stuff it takes to go round your arm. Cut this out. Use the first as a pattern for the second (you need one for each arm, hehe).

Now its time to add the eyes (for lacing up!) (you could actually also use small pet collars as well if you wanted buckles instead of laces). Follow the instructions on the packet for putting the metal eyes in, bearing in mind this is going to take a LOT of hammering. I also then added the superglue round the eyes, as I never trust these hammered in eyes entirely. You can only see the glue marks from the inside.

If using the pet collars, then I would use not only industrial superglue, but also take the time to stitch them on tight!

So now you have something starting to look the part. NOW, its time to tiddle them up a bit. Thats where the fur comes in. I added fur for several reasons. It makes the vambraces look as if they are made of bits of hide. It also saves me sewing and hemming (which I hate). I cut two inch wide strips, and glued (using the fabric glue) them on, folding them over so you have about one inch on each side. awww, fluffy vambraces. Now I did use brown fur, but theres nothing to stop you using pink or polkadot fur, if your taste runs that way, hehe.

I am thinking about using an extra layer of thick felt inside, as a re-inforcer, but to all intents and purposes, these are done, hehe.

Feedback, ideas and tips welcome. As these are for LARP I havent worried so much about authentic materials as getting a "look". :D

a little help?

2008-02-22T19:26:18Z

hey there,

this might seem a bit random and if its not a sutible post feel free to delete it :)

I have a photoshoot coming pu this weekend for a dance costume i made a while back. I've figured out the hair and make up for my model and the location (its being shot in a friends woodland garden) the only problem now is that ican't think of what poses my model should stand in. The costume was designed by my college tutor and is supposed to be an evil fairy or fairy from hell character from Wagner's Die Feen (The Fairies). Although the costume is meant for a ballet my model isnt a dancer so doesnt have any experiance with ballet moves. I was wondering if any one had any suggestions or ideas of possibles poses i could ask her to do. Almost forgot to mention the photos are going to be used for a portfolio of work for applying to university so the dress still needs to be fairy visable (no huge dark shadows and such). Any advice/help?

a basic shot of the dress to get an idea of shape and size

x-posted to costumes and the_costumers

thanx in advance xx

Edwardian waistcoat

2008-02-04T13:08:16Z

Made out of crinkle cotton for the front, and a darker grey satin/polyester blend for the back and lining :)

If this fit me, I would have it....

2008-02-03T23:27:40Z

Damn, this is is just too small for me

http://cgi.ebay.nl/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330209422977&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:NL:1123

And I'm still one day costume down for 1897 too!

I measured the costume on the fitting doll to get the size, the bust is 104 cm which is about 41/42 inches, the waist is 88 cm which is about 34/35 inches, the hips are 116 cm which is about 45/46 inches, the model wearing the dress is 5ft6. The fabric is interfaced with coutil for strength and the outside is an embroidered taffeta fashion fabric, the buttonholes are handsewn and the buttons are actually vintage salvaged from an old garment. Chestnut leather buttons. The ivory fabric has the same embroidered pattern. The bodice has white cotton lining, is boned on darts and seams, and the back pieces are lined with fashion fabric to give the tails a richer finish.
Corset, underskirt and bustle petticoat are not included. I do sell bustle petticoats newly made for customers. The hat is made with buckram and sits on the head, decorated with a handmade "dior" bow made with 1 1/2 inch wide satin ribbon and ostrich feather. If you have more questions feel free to ask! Thank you for your interest. Warmly - Manon from Enter Harmony

- enterharmonycostumes

Did this answer your question? If not, let the seller know.

Thought someone else might enjoy.....

Pattern Help

2008-02-01T12:38:21Z

HELP!

Please...

Righty - what I'm looking for is (preferably on an internet site) a pattern for a Night Watchman's coat. I've seen it at the ren fairs and can't for the life of me remember the company name that sells them.

I know roughly what it looks like - it's for a commission. Now I know I can make it prob without the pattern but I'd like a rough guide at least!

Thanks

Charlie

Anyone got any expertise with overlockers?

2008-01-21T22:43:20Z

Today I have mostly been playing with sewing machines. (Sometimes I love my job :-))) ). Kay from the Senior Citizens and I spent the afternoon inventorying the sewing room and testing the machines.

I manage a community Centre in North London, and we have a sewing room which hasn't been properly used for a good few years. It has a bout a dozen domestic machines, two big Brother Industrials, a Brother industrial overlocker and two smaller light overlockers, one a Toyota and one I think a Bernina (It was in a box.)

Two thirds of the domestic machines work tolerably well, most perfectly. One of the industrial machines needs the on off switch mechanism replacing. So I need a recommendation for someone who can do minor repairs on Brother Industrial Sewing machines.

But we have several overlockers which I don't even begin to know what to do with (I'm an old Singer girl, and I can't even thread the damn things) and Kay, although an ex machinist isn't that familiar with them either.

There is a Brother Industrial overlocker which sort of works but we think isn't threaded properly, a Toyota, and a Bernina (I think, it's still in a box).

I am hoping there is someone (London UK or nearby) on my Flist or in one of these communities, who has the required clue, and would be prepared to meet me in North London, and help me test them.

The carrot?

Up to four free sessions using the sewing room and its facilities for yourself, and or your chums, group etc. Could do either weekday evenings or Saturday or Sunday.

Existing and functional facilities include a second Brother industrial, a cutting table, 7 or 8 domestic machines all with zig zag and some with a range of other stitches, and tons of room!

Or if you are in my existing stitch and bitch circle, my undying gratitude and a beer!

Cross posted to various sewing and costuming communities, as well as my LJ.

Danish Costume Museum - and some of them come with Patterns!

2008-01-18T09:03:56Z

For those of you who are not also in costumes or patternsource here is a link to the Danish Costume Museum

There is an excellent selection from 1700 to modern times, a variety of shapes and sizes, most have high res zoomable images, and several have patterns on grids to show how they were constructed (Like in Janet Arnold, but not quite so detailed)

Can anybody translate Danish?

I shudder to think what Babelfish will do to historical clothing terms!

new frock coat :)

2008-01-17T14:15:53Z

I made it myself, out of corduroy, crincle cotton and fleece :D

Copyright 2008 Bert Van den Wyngaert (photography) and Hilde Heyvaert (design).
All rights reserved.
No unauthorized use or distribution.

OK Strommers

2008-01-17T08:44:46Z

Now that Downtime is up, and you are all fishing your costumes etc out from storage, what have you been working on over the winter?

Me, I've been doing freeforms, and I have Regency frocks! I've also got several very pretty embroideries done for my meme of making.

I will also have a goodly selection of late Victorian, courtesy of 1897.

ION I counted the total number of garments I made in 2007 and it was SEVENTEEN! Some were simple, like shirts and chemises, but there were three corsets, a Victorian Skirt and four Regency dresses in there as well! As soon as there is a nice day I plan to put them all on the washing line and take a picture!

In the meantime here is some Regency frock porn to be getting on with.

Ophidian or dragon hides anyone?

2008-01-17T07:52:45Z

A member on corsetsupplies is selling purple and black and peacock blue and black "fake snake" leather hides.

She has some on Ebay and some for Direct Sale through the community.

Thought I'd give you the heads up.
[Bad username: ]

hat pin

2008-01-09T13:14:36Z

Can I find them in the size & pattern I want.......
If anyone can help
I'd like either some 3" plain black or pearl
or a long 9" black or pearl or dark red
Able to deliver before the end of the month

not costing £70

More on court shoes...

2008-01-08T09:09:24Z

Following my last post I adjusted my search terms a little and managed to find the following through a number of UK dance and bridal outlets. I know a few of you are looking for this kind of thing, so I thought I'd share the wealth. These are perfect for dying (if you know how) and customising in infinite ways (if you have the skills).

The 'Natalie' shoe - £10 (a slightly chunkier heel, ideal for rough-ground LARPS!)
ID: WL43
ID: WL46
ID: WL50
S B Juniper - Not for the faint-hearted. These reproduction shoes are EXPENSIVE.

I need shoes!

2008-01-07T22:10:01Z

Does ANYONE have any idea where on earth I could pick up a pair of Marie Antoinette style court shoes? I have looked everywhere and the costuming world seems devoid of anything suitable.

Anyone here doing 1897?

2007-12-09T16:50:09Z

If yes, we could swap links and info on Belle Epoque Frocks (try saying that when you've had a few).

I am making a Ball gown and an Artistic Reform Teagown. For February, and the patterns havn't even arrived yet.

So I thought I would try and finish my corset project that I started in the summer.

So guess what I'm going to be doing over the Xmas Hols?

Steampunk

2007-12-09T15:47:17Z

I'm needing a costume a steampunk style lrp.
I currently don't have a faction to do with, or even know when the next event is.
But in all terms of planning ahead, I have no clue on costume as it's a genre I've not really looked into.
All I know about my potential character so far is that I'm making Nock Volley Gun (of sorts) for him.

All hints on where to look for inspiration, and where to find cheap costumes of the genre would be gratefully apprciated.

Thanks

Painting umbrellas?

2007-12-03T19:06:48Z

I'm looking to customise an umbrella. I have seen "paintable umbrellas" in craft catologues that can be decorated with acrylic paint/fabric paint pens. Are all umbrellas so paintable, or are these special somehow? I mean, I'm fairly certain all umbrellas will take paint fine, but will they keep after a rain shower? Any ideas on waterproofing?

lrp_costume_uk @ 2007-11-29T08:41:00

2007-11-29T08:44:12Z

I thought I'd share this as being of interest to some Strommers . I think he sells them, but his journal is all in Russian.

Leather Dragon Mask, gakked from costumes