We love to go the Northern California Renaissance Faire in Hollister every October.
This year, I made Ren Faire Costumes for my family and they came out SO great! I want to make more and sell them on Etsy!
Here is a pic of our Renaissance Faire costumes
With upcycled materials, I made the dresses and overlays (not sure what they’re actually called). I modified the vests which I had found at thrift stores.
These velvet floppy peasant hats, were actually super easy to make!
I looked it up online and found the simplest pattern I could. The one I found was on http://www.bethanysewandsew.com, but it looks like that site is no longer. I should have saved the pattern!
I didn’t follow the directions perfectly, just used the general idea, but the renaissance peasant hats came out great! It’s really just taking some cardstock, I used a standard manilla file folder, cut out a hoop (cut a large circle, then cut another smaller circle inside it slightly larger than your child’s head). This makes a brim. Then cover in fabric and glue together with a glue gun. Attach a poof of fabric for the top of the hat, fold under the brim and glue again. Then take a strip of ribbon or trim and glue along the inside edge, for a smooth seam that sits on your child’s head.
I ended up doing the same, but making it larger for my husband’s head, so they had matching hats. I had to use two folders to have a large enough piece inside the hat, so the shape was a little off, but perhaps I’ll make another and perfect it someday.
Adorable Child’s Renaissance Bonnet
I made this bonnet from a corner of a fitted sheet & just gathered the fabric until it looked somewhat like a muffin hat! Stitched it underneath, then added the brim; fabric over a piece of manilla file folder to keep it ridged & sewed it on in one line across the front with a ribbon to keep it on her & add some color. It may not be exactly true to period, but I didn’t want the sun in her eyes!
We had so much fun at the Ren Faire together and I received lots of positive comments on our costumes, especially the kids! I must admit they were both ADORABLE! They got oooh’s & aaaah’s all day long!
It’s never too early to start on next year’s costume.
I like to try and pick up one item a year to add to my own costume. It’s harder with kids, since they grow out of things, but I’m sure I can find thrift store clothes that’ll do for my son. For my daughter, I made her dress too big and pinned it up so it will last her quite a few years.
Oh and the best part of the Faire, the Black Cherry Cider! Mmm! http://www.rabbitsfootmeadery.com/ Update: I believe Rabbits Foot Meadery is no longer in business. How sad! It was so delicious.
