Historical Sew Monthly #3: Protection

So I went on my very first costuming camping trip! It was definitely a kiddy pool level event since it was about 20 minutes from our home (which was great because Rachel bird was sick and needed injections twice a day) and we used modern camping stuff. But there was costuming!

I decided to rock an Italian look for Saturday. This decision was mostly so I could wear my only historical make of 2015-an Italian chemise (or camica as they would have called it). And I whipped up a quick project just for camping that just so happened to fit in with this month's Historical Sew Monthly challenge!

The challenge was "protection" and I made one of the most basic types of protection items-an apron. Way to be boring, I know. But I did want a really functioning apron and not just a pretty Sunday best apron with all of the camping and nature and stuff. (Yeah... see my Great Outdoors entry)

So I scrounged up about a yard of blue wool and quickly hand sewed this little apron right before the event. Wool is a great choice for an apron because it has a bit of a water repelling quality (great for spills) and will smolder and put itself out if caught on fire rather than just burning like linen (although we didn't actually cook anything over a fire).

The Challenge: Protection
Fabric: about a yard of blue wool left over from another project. I think this was one that I got on the cheap so $6ish
Pattern: it's a rectangle gathered to a rectangle
Year: mid to late 1500s (although it could be worn in a lot of periods)
Notions: thread
How historically accurate is it? I have to admit that I didn't do a lot of research on pattern here but it does look like the pictures from the period. Wool is a great fabric for a working apron and dark colors are great for hiding stains. 
Hours to complete: 4ish
First worn: Adrian Empire camping trip and colleguim
Total cost: $6

 I rocked my American Duchess Stratfords. Yet again, they performed marvelously proving themselves to be not just another pretty pair of shoes but quite well suited for actually wearing and trudging through nature.

I also got the opportunity to wear my pocket on the outside of my gown since it is Italian too! So so handy! Usually, I hide it between my petticoat and gown for English looks since it's so handy to have.

My hair is most assuredly NOT long enough to do Italian looks but a hair piece and a snood do wonders for making a period appropriate looking (even if not quite accurate) hair do. Especially since the Florida sun has lightened my hair enough to match my hair piece.

The event itself was quite fun. There were classes all day Saturday so I got to learn a lot of cool stuff. There was also combat and an arts competition. I'm very excited to get to do arts competitions and show off all of my pretties.

 Plus some of the ladies are trying to organize a sewing night so that will be so fun! Yay for hanging out with other nerds!

Overall, we had a very fun time and I can't wait for the next event!

Camping is coming!

Way back in January 2015, I blogged excitedly about the potential for period camping trips. After dabbling in the SCA in Ohio, I was ready to dive right into new and exciting costuming opportunities in Florida. Well, it's been over a year but I'm finally getting to go on my first period camping trip this weekend! Huzzah!

Can't wait to be more than just a Ren Faire girl!

And even more exciting, the hubby is on board for joining in on the fun which means I get to make menswear! Yay! :D I'm so excited to get back into costuming. I have so many lovely things that I don't get to wear very often plus you can never have too many new dresses.

One of the new things I'll have to take into consideration when costuming is that pretty much all of our events will be outdoors in summer type weather. Bring on the linen! While it's not very exciting, my first project for me will need to be more linen shifts. I do have some nice cotton ones but Florida summers are going to require linen.

 1160-1180, England

As for my man, I'm deep in the researching phase. He's not at all interested in Elizabethan (too frufru) so I'm digging way back and looking at 12th century menswear while he's starting at the other end and looking at armor. Hopefully, we can meet in the middle with a time period he likes both the armor and everyday clothing for.

Yumminess! (Portia and Brutus 1486-90)

Meanwhile for me, I'm dreaming of 1490s Italian loveliness! I still have my Borgia dress to finish plus I'd love a more working class version because it's so pretty!