A performing group I belong to just got a last minute booking at a Renfaire. I have to come up with a costume with about two weeks of actual time to work on it. It has to be something I can dance in, and suitable for August heat. I’m going for the peasant look, because I can make it up out of some brown sheets I have. Here’s the pattern I’m going to use for the kirtle (to be worn over a smock) - its Seamwork’s Emma dress.
I’ll have to lengthen it, and maybe add some fullness to the skirt and square off the neckline.
My question is - proper Renaissance dresses called for boning and buckram in the bodice. This one doesn’t, but I’m thinking of stiffening the front centre panel, to approximate the sort of flat front they went for(this pattern does not include boning). Also, I’m leaving out the anachronistic invisible zip. I’m 2 sizes smaller on top, and I’m assuming the lacing will allow me enough room to get it off and on.
Does this make sense? I know, people wear all sorts of bizarre stuff to these events, but I’m a huge fan of Bernadette Banner, and want to try to at least get close to the correct look. If it works, and we get invited back next year, I’ll probably make one out of linen.
Right, stop dithering, time to get the pattern out!
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@Ela good luck 
with your costume!
Gorgeous pattern, I’m sure your dress will look incredible! I think it’s a good idea to skip the boning - will make your finished dress much more comfortable to wear all day and dance in. Please do share pics of the final look 
Good luck to you as you tackle this project! Remember that as Bernadette Banner points out, the foundation garments make a huge difference. That flat front came courtesy of the corset or stomacher they wore. If you’re going for historically accurate, you’ll want to begin with the structure that underpins the dress. That’s where I’d put the boning and buckram. It’s the framework your gown will hang on.
If you need additional patterns for this type of thing in the future, you might want to check out Gunner Deatherage’s shop and/or Patreon. I signed up for a month to get his part of a collab with Charm Patterns, and I was pleasantly surprised by what was available. He seems to take a lot of inspiration from the drama of historical garments.
His Maiden Skirt would make a gorgeous Ren Faire outfit along with the Primavera Corset. Maybe for a future make!
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UPDATE: People often forget that they were going through a mini ice age. . .one of the reasons they wore so many layers. Meanwhile I’ve been informed that it will be very hot, no shade, and dusty, and we’re performing all day. The organizers don’t care how accurate we are as long as it’s Renaissance - ish. As much as I love historical clothing, I’m abandoning any idea of layers. I’d rather not keel over from heat exhaustion, given the type of energetic dance we do. I’m going to be wearing masculine peasant clothes, converting a pair of lightweight culottes into slops, wearing a loose tunic over the top and casting about for an alternative to the velvet hat I was going to wear. Here’s my other half’s knee britches that I cut down yesterday from a pair of trousers. Not really Renaissance, but with a jerkin over it, it’ll pass.
If I manage to take a photo of our group, I’ll post it 
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I’m looking forward to seeing your finished makes.
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