I am such a garb whore...

[lauradake]

Ok ladies....

The great moving adventure has begun. Tonight's project was to pack up all the clothes in my closet... which, of course, included all the garb. ;)

I found:

3 reversible cotton bodices--one black one side, a funky quilted orange/red/yellow batik pattern on the reverse.... one gold brocade on one side, ivory silk on the reverse, and one black faux fur on one side and green twill on the reverse...

3 or 4 chemises of various colors
1 burgundy Irish dress
1 reversible black/blue side lacing kirtle
1 heavy green twill Moresca MegaMedieval dress
1 Pendragon bodice in brown/black suede
1 red leather half-bodice
2 snoods
1 flat cap
1 black skirt
1 gold skirt
1 red wool cloak w/black satin lining
1 green wool cloak
1 grey twill cloak
1 pair black trowsers
1 white shirt
3-4 belt pouches
black leather belt

Now, this may not be the most impressive list out there... but you need to remember--I get to faire about ONCE A YEAR.

Let's face it--I'm a garb whore!

[lauradake]

And as an interesting side--I'm the same size as a good friend of mine, who is also a garb whore... so we also trade outfits back and forth.

And I forgot to add in all the bellydance stuff--a couple of cholis, some circle skirts, a bunch of scarves....

Oh, yeah--and how could I forget the chainmail? I have a GREAT chainmail bra/belt set from Pendragon Chainmail. :)

[Margaret]

I just dread packing up my garb when next I move! Bodices, skirts, doublets, gowns, shoes, hats, accessories, mugs and other feast stuff, baskets, snoods, cauls OY! Also, each season of faire sees the creation of at least 2 new gowns and a couple of skirts ($1/yd. table at Wal-Mart, gotta love it!)

A girl's gotta have something to wear! ;)

[Tempest_Gypsy]

I just dread packing up my garb when next I move! Bodices, skirts, doublets, gowns, shoes, hats, accessories, mugs and other feast stuff, baskets, snoods, cauls OY! Also, each season of faire sees the creation of at least 2 new gowns and a couple of skirts ($1/yd. table at Wal-Mart, gotta love it!)

A girl's gotta have something to wear! ;)

Get a few of those giant tupperware things they sell at Wal-mart that hold something like twenty-five gallons! That's what I keep all of my garb in and it is just fantastic. Sure, it needs to be ironed or steamed when I want to wear it, but I just hang it up in the bathroom and take a long hot shower without the vent on. Makes moving it around or even finding your garb soooooo useful. Also keeps it safe from bugs and the like.

Gods, I don't even want to try and make a list of all I have! Just glad I finally got my new bodice taken in. Made a new bodice in October, it was a little too big. Tried it on recently, and I may as well have not been wearing anything for all the good it did me. Had to take it in nearly three inches!!! And do you have any idea how irritating it is to try and take in your own bodice with no help!!!!!

[Bean]

Okay, so I am a garb whore in training.... hit the clearance section at JoAnn's and got 2 colors of cotton for skirts and a khaki (spelling?) crinkle cotton for a chemise, and got a cream crinkle cotton at walmart for another chemise....all for under $20!! Now all I have to do is start sewing!

Betsy

[lauradake]

*cheers* Welcome to the garb whores, then! Sounds like you got some great deals. :)

[Bonnie]

the only barrier to my being a far more SERIOUS garb whore is my sewing skill.

this past year, I began sewing my own garb...simple things, really, but I love it. I've made myself like four new skirts, my kids' clothes, four half chemises, one full length chemise...kid's cloaks, my new cloak... bloomers in plenty, and I have SUCH plans for more....as soon as I figure out how to use the new serger I got for Xmas, and as soon as I squeeze in some sewing classes...this is one skill I think i may need more help than a book can provide.

but fabric? I'm a tramp. raw silk at a dollar fifty a yard? gimme! fine cotton at $1 a yard? gimme!

sheer stuff at a $1 ayard? gimme!!!!

still searching for the definitive source for inexpensive linen. I want LINEN!! I'm in love with it! Linen and raw silk. Wool. the weaves and the textures, the fall of the cloth...the character it brings...I'm in love with fabric. Muslin. I even love muslin.

now I just need to find a place here in florida that can supply me with wool for a cloak.

anyone know what weight to ask for when ordering wool for a cloak?

[lauradake]

For heavier cloaks, I usually use a wool melton. Since you're in FL, that might be a bit on the heavy side...

For lighterweight cloaks, I prefer a nice wool flannel, if you can find it. I hate buying wool online--it's the one fabric that I'm never 100% sure what I'm getting. :(

Have you thought about using a cotton twill? It's a lot less expensive than wool, and has a nice drape/feel to it. I use a twill cloak most of the time here in NC, and it really keeps off a nice chill. :)

And I know what you mean about being a fabric whore... I'm packing up the sewing room now, and I didn't realize how much fabric I actually had. I'm finding some long-lost treasures, to boot. ;)

[moira]

Get a few of those giant tupperware things they sell at Wal-mart that hold something like twenty-five gallons! That's what I keep all of my garb in and it is just fantastic.

i have 5 of those things, all full of garb... now i have to get a new since i just got my beautiful new irish dress from abby...

now you all have to go to www.garbwhore.com and join the rest of us!

moira

[Alianne]

I bought two of those large tubs for garb and need to buy a third -- and that *doesn't* include my son's garb (half of a shelf in a double-wide closet in his room is devoted just to *his* garb -- at 12, he's already a Fop in Training <g>...he's already thinking about new stuff he wants (or will need; he's in a growth spurt) this season.

It also doesn't include the half of a hanging rod of our double-wide hall closet that is just for my garb that doesn't or can't get folded -- the copper brocade gown, the Moresca mega, the grey gown......

I think off the top of my head, my stash includes:

- 7 chemises (2 Hearts' Delight, 1 Chivalry Sports Italian, 2 Knightly Endeavors and 2 House of Dra)
- 6 skirts
- 7 bodices
- 2 pairs of bloomers (with 2 more on the way at Geneva's house -- thank the gods for her -- I don't sew well at all, and she is my Sewing Goddess!)
- Elizabethan corset (in black, mainly for Pirate garb, but can also be work as a foundation)
- various leggings and bike shorts kept just for undergarb wear to prevent chafing and/or for warmth
- 3 pairs of Dream Shoes' 'mary janes' - in black, brown and green
- 1 pair of Dream Shoes ankle high lace up boots
- 1 pair of cheap boots (for rainy days_
- 2 Tudor gowns for when I'm feeling noble <g>
- 1 Italian gown
- 1 Moresca mega-medieval
- several snoods
- various muffin caps, 1 velvet...the others various fabrics
- 1 Crown and Feather Pirate hat (that at least 6 ostriches gave up their ass feathers for <g>)
- 1 black velvet Elizabethan hat
- 'do rag' with little skulls on it (Pirate garb only)
- assorted belts, pouches
- accessories for the nobles -- chain belts, chatelaine, feather fans
- farthingale

And dammit, I need *more*! My planned major acquisition this season will be Elizabethans (middle to noble, not Court), mainly for Dani's wedding....

Good gods...no wonder my husband calls me a Garb Slut (to which I reply, 'no dear...it's Garb *Whore* <g>).

[Bonnie]

For heavier cloaks, I usually use a wool melton. Since you're in FL, that might be a bit on the heavy side...

For lighterweight cloaks, I prefer a nice wool flannel, if you can find it. I hate buying wool online--it's the one fabric that I'm never 100% sure what I'm getting. :(

Have you thought about using a cotton twill? It's a lot less expensive than wool, and has a nice drape/feel to it. I use a twill cloak most of the time here in NC, and it really keeps off a nice chill. :)

And I know what you mean about being a fabric whore... I'm packing up the sewing room now, and I didn't realize how much fabric I actually had. I'm finding some long-lost treasures, to boot. ;)


well, I want a good warm cloak for when I venture into other shires...damn near froze my nips off in NC on Invasion weekend. I already have two cloaks...one in plain cotton twill with a capelet to help block wind and protect the armholes, and the other is heavy twill lined in flannel....for colder days in Fla, and trips out of state.(I JUST made it myself.) I STILL want a wool cloak...just because I WANT it. I love the texture and feel of it. much the same way that I'm now drooling over linen...cotton is cheaper and does fine, but the texture, drape and 'feel' of linen is unreal.

[Tempest_Gypsy]

i have 5 of those things, all full of garb... now i have to get a new since i just got my beautiful new irish dress from abby...

now you all have to go to www.garbwhore.com and join the rest of us!

moira

Heeee, I just sent in my app. I didn't really think about it until you guys started this thread, but I am such a garb whore! :D Thank the gods that my roommate is sympathetic and just stays out of the dining room when I get out th sewing machine...now where did I put that emerald light cotton...

[lauradake]

well, I want a good warm cloak for when I venture into other shires...damn near froze my nips off in NC on Invasion weekend. I already have two cloaks...one in plain cotton twill with a capelet to help block wind and protect the armholes, and the other is heavy twill lined in flannel....for colder days in Fla, and trips out of state.(I JUST made it myself.) I STILL want a wool cloak...just because I WANT it. I love the texture and feel of it. much the same way that I'm now drooling over linen...cotton is cheaper and does fine, but the texture, drape and 'feel' of linen is unreal.

*nod* I agree--once you get the"feel" for nicer fabrics, you never want to go back. :)

Go for the wool, then! For etra warmth, go for the melton. :)

I just started working with silks... drool...

-Laura

[Pearl_Fox]

well.... looks like I am not a garb whore yet, but my best friend and I are getting close, right now we are more like garb sluts in training than the garb whore..... but hmmm... wonder when you are a garb madame instead of the garb whore????? :thinking:
We just need to go through the garb that we do have and make a list of what we need to add and what needs repaired.

Looking at what is listed here.... we need to get started lol! :snicker: :aok:

[Mistress Morigianna]

ok, we have 2 bathrooms in my apt.
i have put 2 spring curtain rods in one and hang costumes in there as an extra closet. the shoes go in the bottom of the tub.

two rods because the weight will pull down one.

then under the bed is many boxes of accesories/ bits. (queen size bed)
then the whole drawer in the dresser with trays of jewelery & pins....

um is it bad i made 3 of the same bodice in 3 sizes so i can wear it no mater what size I am???

then the front closet has all the capes in it.

hm, I have many time periods too,
greek/roman, belly dancer/middleeastern ( caberat & period), middle ages
(guy & girl costumes) renaissance (all classes), Victorian (day night bustle ball) and all the weird 60's dresses I like in dayglo colors to freak my mother.

i think I have more costumes than regular clothes ( i only have 4 pairs of jeans to my name.)
corse I cheat- I am a costumer- LOL

[moira]

ok... so this topic made me decide to inventory my stuff:

17 chemises
9 bodices that fit
2 that dont
7 tunics
18 skirts (making more)
5 cloaks
9 different dresses
4 pairs of bloomers
4 pairs of dreamshoes
5 hats
an apron
and various misc pieces like pouches and stuff

and every time i work at the warehouse, i have to buy more... its sick...

hi, my name is moira and im an addict...

moira

[Devon Dalaigh]

Yes,
I think I'm working on becoming a MAJOR garb whore..... and I get to go to faire even less than probably the least "fairish" of you all !!! *grin*

My questio is ----> How did you guys learn to sew ?? I have no domestic talents (besides the one I'm not talking about now! *wicked grin*) I do have a sewing machine that my ex-in-laws had bought for me about 5 years ago. My now ex used it alot and I have no books or anything so I don't even know how to USE the darned thing !!! as in even putting a needle /thread in it !!
I know - pitiful huh ?

But - what should I do - I've lookied for a place to get lessons here - even the local colleges and community programs - and can find nothing, plus I don't have alot of time since I have a little 4 month old boy ! And a very time intensive 14 year old daughter :-)

Help ?
Thanks,
~Dev~

[lauradake]

Frankly--I'm pretty much self-taught. It's a slippery slope... you start with something simple (like a gathered skirt, here: http://www.reddawn.net/costume/skirt.htm) and eventually you're on your way to full court Elizabethans. ;)

Is your local Wench's Guild active? I know that here in the Local 96 we have a number of sewers who are always willing to help out another local--myself included. :)

In my area, as well, many of the local JoAnn's either have sewing classes or have lists of local classes available. Also check out independent fabrics stores--even if they cater to a more "quilting" crowd, they may be a good resource for you.

Many of the Simplicity patterns that are out now are quite good--and pretty easy to put together without too much experience. Start with inexpensive fabric (cotton broadcloth for skirts, muslin for chemises, a courdorory or twill for bodices) to practice with, and eventually work yourself up to your dream garb. (I'm still working on that one, myself! *grin*)

And last, but certainly not least.. you have us! I know that any of the regular posters on this board will be more than willing to answer any and all of your sewing questions.

-Laura

[Devon Dalaigh]

Thanks Laura !!!

Unfortunately the JoAnns near me went out of business *sigh* and I don't really have a local Local - since I'm in MIssissippi - not too close to anyone. But thanks for the link - I'm going to check that out ! And I'll keep looking around here for someone to show me how to use that darned contraption ! *grin*

Thanks too for saying that you gys will help me out with questions.... we'll see when it'll be that I get to that point... *L* could be awhile - especially if they deploy me soon........
Thanks !
~Dev~