What is the school district like? Are there some families that feel even $5 is too much? If so, asking for donations of plain, non flowered, pillowcases that, with holes cut for arms and head, belted over sweat pants -- wrap burlap around the shoes and ankles and cut up another pillowcase for a hood/cowl (use safety pins if the kid/parent can't sew). It certainly isn't authentic but for those who have no extra $ for a costume, it works -- if not a pillow case, two towels (striped or plain) pinned/sewn at the shoulders and belted over a sweat shirt works, too.
Kate 609-570-3584 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Robin Netherton Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 9:39 AM To: Historic Costume List Subject: [h-cost] Basic medieval "costume" sources 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 _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
