I got a book a long time ago called "Costume Design and Making" by
Fernald and Shenton that has simple patterns for lots of costumes.
It's another Theatre Arts book so it may be very similar to Brookes and
it may still be too difficult for parents. Are there any commercial
patterns for children for Medieval type costumes?
SYlrog
On Sep 12, 2006, at 7:39 AM, Robin Netherton wrote:
Here's an uncharacteristic request.
I'm going to be speaking to my kid's elementary school class about
medieval costume, as part of a big unit they're doing on the Middle
Ages.
This much I know how to do, and have done before. No problems there.
Here's the part I need help with. The class will be putting on an
in-class
medieval "feast" at the end of the unit, in about two months. The
teachers
want the kids to be dressed appropriately. Most of the parents probably
don't sew much, and even if they do, they're not going to need or want
to
take the time and effort to learn about medieval costume, or to spend
the
money on proper materials. This is supposed to just provide a bit of
flavor and color to the festivities. (Think kids' Hallowe'een costume.)
The teacher has asked me to provide some basic references on easy
medieval
costume that the parents can draw on. I am absolutely backed up and
can't
write my own, although I'll probably offer a list of basic garments and
suitable colors. Beyond that, I want to make a list of books and
websites
that will tell them, essentially, how to make their kid look medieval
in
an evening or two, with a minimum of expenditure.
I've spent so many years steering people away from bad costume books
that
now I'm having to really probe the recesses of my brain for this one!
The
source I can think of right off the bat is "Medieval Theatre Costume"
by
Iris Brooke, which is really a useful visual introduction for the
complete
newcomer, and has simple cutting diagrams. (It's also in our library
system.) For the people who care about doing it right, I'll point to
the
reconstructinghistory.com page on beginner garb for a basic tunic,
which
is a whole lot better than the "lie down and draw around yourself"
T-tunic
approach and no harder.
Can anyone think of any other useful books or web pages for a parent
who
simply has to clothe the kid, doesn't need to be particularly
authentic,
and will have no further use for the costume after one wearing? Surely
there are some SCA webpages or kid's costume books out there...
--Robin
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