In the spring Brent and Laura perform at Sherwood Faire (in a forest outside of Austin TX) which is a fun venue staged in the 1400-1500s. Because they are a belly dance troupe (The Hands of Fatima) their costumes can be a little out of period but not by much. They also perform for other venues, such as Laura's event The Crimson Vagabond Roadshow.
Laura has the green parasol on the left. Brent is the drummer dressed in black.
Laura asked for a new vest & jacket for the season. She wants to promote my work because she's been told many times faire patrons like to buy the outfits seen on performers. Toward that end, we meet to finalize ideas.
Her immediate request is for a knee length vest to wear over dresses. When the troupe performs they wear decorated bras and full skirts. This particular vest is cut low in the front so the bedazzled bras show well. Slits on the sides and an open front allow the full skirts to peek through. One of the main skirts they wear is the 25 yard skirt. Yep, 25 yards of cotton sewn into a skirt. Egads!
Laura had patterns but we quickly learned they were "just a guideline" because they didn't fit and they weren't really authentic enough. The hip belts in particular were totally wrong. It was good to have someone evaluate them who knows the belly dance costumes well.
She decided a poncho would be a good alternative to a jacket. She can quickly throw it over her costume. It won't interfere with bulky costume parts.
Today I am planning to get the black strip piecing finished. Laura will be returning next week for the muslin fitting of the vest and check out the new black fabric. Fun times!
Laura has the green parasol on the left. Brent is the drummer dressed in black.
Laura asked for a new vest & jacket for the season. She wants to promote my work because she's been told many times faire patrons like to buy the outfits seen on performers. Toward that end, we meet to finalize ideas.
Her immediate request is for a knee length vest to wear over dresses. When the troupe performs they wear decorated bras and full skirts. This particular vest is cut low in the front so the bedazzled bras show well. Slits on the sides and an open front allow the full skirts to peek through. One of the main skirts they wear is the 25 yard skirt. Yep, 25 yards of cotton sewn into a skirt. Egads!
Laura had patterns but we quickly learned they were "just a guideline" because they didn't fit and they weren't really authentic enough. The hip belts in particular were totally wrong. It was good to have someone evaluate them who knows the belly dance costumes well.
I'll be sewing View C Vest.
Laura being who she is and having me as a mother in law wanted the fabric for her vest strip pieced. So she pulled a variety of black fabrics for me to use. I've never strip pieced a "solid" color as such. And black. But I'm going to try.
She decided a poncho would be a good alternative to a jacket. She can quickly throw it over her costume. It won't interfere with bulky costume parts.
I had this sewing pattern and a 3 yard piece of raw edge fabric. I'll be sewing View C. Luckily it was in her colors (she's a natural ginger). She was delighted! I'm delighted to use the fabric & the pattern doesn't have to be fitted.
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Do you have any new projects to stretch your sewing skills?
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That sounds like a great challenge, but also interesting. How nice that she'd like to promote your business, too!
ReplyDeleteYes, writing the ideas down and really looking at their feasibility helped us. We've had brainstorming sessions before that just left us tired and unaccomplished.
DeleteIt is going to be fun to watch these ideas materialize into unique costumes!
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