SCA was my first impression as well. I don't do it, but my friend and roommate is a weaponsmaster of the SCA. I love hearing all the stories.

Who do you sell these to if not SCA folk. Not LARPers I hope?! (Though if they pay well, which they certainly do, then I quite understand.)

Hey what's wrong with LARPers? Apart form the plot element there is little difference between many of the LARPs i play and SCA that i have seen.

Anyway, back on topic, the doublets are clovely. It is nice to see somebody making good and interesting male costume. it sometimes gets terribly outshone by female costume. I'd love to know which patterns you use, as i want to try making a couple for myself and my SO. I'm starting a new LARP next year with a culture largely based on 17th Century Venetian city life so doublets are essential. You have provided a good spark of inspiration!

This is super cute! I love your choice of fabrics. The color combination is beautiful.

Thank you. the skirt was actually a slightly richer gold than in the photograph: it was the sunshine in my spring meadow.

very impressed with the silk screened fabric and the construction and shape of the corset is excellent.. i would love to see it on if your firend doesn't mind having her picture taken?

and thank you for introducing me to a new artist!

costume made for a traditional style masquerade ball. The persona i chose was Ostara (easter)

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/398283_209394169167309_100002901838914_312374_279079786_n.jpg

I made the stays, paniers, chemise, underskirt and robe Francais from tutorials at this site
http://www.marquise.de/en/1700/index.shtml

the wig was made by knitting a simpl ribbed cap and then needle felting fibre onto it (supported with a little fibre fill in the middle) and then hot-glueing the flowers on.

Edit: i forgot to mention that my friend painted the mask for me based solely on a description of what my concept was. it was perfct he rocks!

Thanks Alexus. after posting i had a good look at a commercially made shirt i have with front facing and started to comprehend. Having you put it in simple terms confirmed i was on the right track. The link to the shirt pattern was a bonus too!

It's the little things that make a differance, and it's the little things that are easy to foget if you are working without a pattern (which is awesome BTW i know some very good seamstresses who are terrified to work off pattern).

I'm the same. I mainly make costumes and am on a tight budget so i didn't use patterns and cut corenrs. I was finally reminded to iron my seams flat the other week and to press things as i go along. and oh hell has it already made a differance. And i was always lazy about finishing and tying off the ends of thread after every seam. now that i take the time to do it, again, things look that little bit better.

I made something for somebody else for the first time the other day. I'm really proud of how it turned out because i took the time to press and turn and top-stitch all the stuff i would normally be lax about for my own costumes. I haven't given them to her yet but i'm not shy about somebody else seeing this for a change!

I'm working on a costume using the jacket from simplicity 2207.
I'm not usualy a pattern girl but i wasn't sure i could get the right look or the collar without one. anyway ...
I'm having difficulty understanding the directions for the collar.
I know it's a costume, but i was hoping somebody who has made it, or somebody who has made another collared item might have some tips, advice or a clearer explanation for me.

Thank you.

the pattern:
http://www.simplicity.com/p-5900-misses-steampunk-costume.aspx

the instructions:
http://printsew.com/instructions/sim2207.pdf
I'm struggling with steps 6 and 7 on page 2.

Having made, worn and seen many regency dresses i must congratualt you. IT's superb and the attention to detail is wonderful. I wish i had seen this when i was still  making that era - it would have been a source of great inspiration!

horsehair braid or it is trimmed with a wire edge organza ribbon and then kept very carefully so as not to distort.

this sort of ribbon: http://www.jaycotts.co.uk/acatalog/___Wired_Edge_Organza.html

I have a mantra i have to repeat all the time when following a pattern (knitting or sewing):

trust the pattern

sometimes it doesn't make sens on paper, and it doesn't make sense in little pieces but when you just do it, it works.

and also, little paper mock-ups are your friend. I have made several tiny pairs of trousers and tops from A5 sheets of paper because i didn't understand the pattern/tute until i went ahead and did it. but of course was to scared to do it with fabric. TRUST THE PATTERN