Simple green tunic

This may be simple but with a belt and a good attitude it is one of the most flattering styles of garb and the most versatile. I absolutely love how this one turned out although you'll never catch me wearing this one at summer events because I made it specifically for Egils when it gets bloody cold! (It is heavy wool) This will hopefully become a staple of my inventory someday. With a little trim and a couple sleeve and fabric options it can be appropriate for any class of persona or character and can be used as an under tunic or just by itself. I know I am making a big deal out of something really easy but I really love it.

Now onto business. Survey time! If you were likely to buy one of these options which would it be? Do the price tags put you off? I am doing this at very little over cost and nowhere near a living wage because this is never intended to be anything more than pursuing a hobby to help pay for my own eventing and costuming habits. I could probably make things more affordable eventually if I can buy in bulk but I am just starting out and don't have the investment capital to do that.

Best fabrics and possible price points

Quilting Cotton
Positives- Good color range, inexpensive, 100% cotton so it breathes (big plus for summer events. Seriously people can get heatstroke from synthetics).
Negatives- Wrinkles: fabric softener and wear can eliminate this over time but it takes a while for the fabric to relax, Shrinkage: means I have to buy more fabric overall to achieve the same result, Not actually period: Cotton wasn't really widely available in Europe until the industrial revolution.
Proposed price for cotton tunic= $40
+ Trim
Metalic = + $20 (the stuff is pretty spendy)
Binding Tape (Actually a common period trim) + $10
Dagged Sleeves= + $15

Linen
Pros-
Period, Lightweight, good drape, takes dye well.
Cons- EXPENSIVE!, Really there are cheaper silks out there than 100% linen. There are cheaper synthetic alternatives but I really would rather not use them. What I actually use is a cotton/ linen blend that once again is not period but it would be driving the price way up
Tunic Price Range Cotton/ Linen Blend $60
100% Linen $80
Trim prices are the same
Dagged Sleeves + $25

Silk
Pros: Pretty, tear resistant, lightweight, dyes well
Cons, expensive, also stains easy and is not appropriate for all personas, more labor intensive and prone to unraveling.
Price Point $90
Trims " "
Dagged Sleeves + $30


Velvet
Pros: pretty, warm, very tactile and luxurious.
Cons: HOT most conventions, Ren Faires and SCA events are hot places and draping your body in these fabrics really isn't good for your health. Expensive: well really there are two price options here crushed and stretch velvet neither are cheap but crushed is significantly less expensive. Velvet is also not appropriate for most period accurate personas but it is great for costuming.
Prices
Crushed Velvet
$50
Dagged Sleeves +$15
Stretch Velvet
$80
Dagged Sleeves
+ $20

Why there are art sites in my links

I like to provide inspiration for the day when I will have my resources together to set up shop and take commissions. I do however want to make one thing perfectly clear I will NEVER copy a garment from an artist unless I am certain their permission is given. ( I will make exceptions for Anime/ movies and old fine art ) But most of the artists I have listed are independent artists that are not making a lot of money of their designs. There is a difference between being inspired by something and duplicating it. These artists spend a lot of time designing interesting garments for their personal characters and to copy that would be stealing. If you like the shape of a garment think about what color would fit your use or what material would give a better texture. Also mix and match because the true fun of costumes is in making it your own.

Awesome Goodwill find!

So have been wanting a rotary cutter for some of my more precise work for a while now but I wouldn't be using it quite enough to justify paying $15 for one plus another $20-30 for a decent sized mat. Well I was browsing Goodwill yesterday with a good friend and there was a brand new still in the package with the $15.49 pice tag Fiskars 45mm rotary cutter for $2.99! This was the brand, size and style I have been wanting and now I just need to get a mat to cut on and the interfacing that is plaguing my existence right now will submit to me!

I just thought I would share that with you. Thrift shops are so awesome sometimes.

Mini Top Hat madness!

So I made my first miniature top hat today for a good friend's steampunk ensemble and I am really excited about how it turned out so without further ado here is the picture.


I don't really like how the crown turned out but for my very first attempt at millinery I am pretty darn proud of it. I especially love the little gears that Meghan found at Michaels. They will be going on the matching waist cincher along with a few other steam-punky details.

Update! Mom took a photo of me with the hat on although it's just perched there because I haven't put the combs on it.

Welcome to the Geeky Wench

Well I guess I should introduce myself. I am Bobbi, a seamstress in training that wants to turn my hobby into something more and help others out with getting comfortable and affordable clothing while I am at it.

Most of what I sew is SCA garb because that is the hobby I have had the longest that involves costuming and I love the medieval aesthetic. I am also currently obsessed with steampunk and neo-victorian costuming as you will no doubt see when I post photos of what is currently on my cuttting table.

I have posted some photos of my recent work and I will be getting more up that are hopefully better quality soon.

This will be the blog for my Etsy shop hopefully sooner than later. I am working up an inventory doing commissions for friends and my own costuming for reference photos because I plan to do custom simple garb and costuming. I don’t plan to make elaborate Tudor nobility garb or exact accurate reproductions. This is for the casual fair/sca goer and costume fan.

Left to right a tunic and chemise for a friend's celtic persona. An underbust kirtle for myself that is terribly OOP but fun and a Pirate vest for my boyfriend.