Cosplay Costume Write-up: Renaissance Fairytale Maiden, Green and Gold

Why I Made It

Working at a renaissance festival for a number of years I accumulated a collection of appropriate costumes. I learned all the basics from Felix Needleworthy who, in addition to being a wonderful tailor, was willing to teach me about constructing my own gowns. I am forever grateful to Felix for his time and patience with me. Admiring  his clean and neat tailoring, I often pause myself when I feel rushed or sloppy to reflect and set my focus again.
The elaborate green gown is all Felix’s work and the other gowns below are a mixture of his work and my own under his tutelage.

How I Made It

This costume was made entirely by Felix Needleworthy.

Felix uses all of his own patterns. The bodices are 3 parts, with separate pieces for the shoulder caps and panels at the waist, the  front lace bodices are reversible to a matching interior fabric. The overskirts are pleated into a enforced waistband with a front closure and the underskirts only use the decorative fabric as a panel with the rest of the skirt being a plain fabric to conserve weight and expensive fabric.

The fabric used is all upholstery weight, which I had been taught works well for renaissance work. Using a heavy weight fabric provide structure for the bodice to cinch and maintain shape, and the skirts to have a nice drape to them. Industrial grommets were used for lacing (not eyelets) and the boning are nylon ties meant for holding together lumber (plenty strong enough to hold together a person!).

Final Styling

For styling these dresses I was inspired be fairytale maidens; long loose curls and rose cheeks. I love these gowns, they feel like a character out of the stories I loved as a child.