Over the weekend, I went to my first Ren Faire, a small local event at a farm we often go to seasonally for strawberry and apple picking. I planned to go with a friend in Tudor era fashion (1485-1603).

As I became aware of my weight gain over the past couple of months, it dawned on me that none of my costumes were going to fit anymore. Consequently, I had to come up with an outfit in a short period of time that would fit me and include all the pieces I needed for it to feel finished.

I had technically known about the Ren Faire for a long time. My costuming group had casually talked about going, but we didn’t have a specific plan, so I kept putting off deciding whether to go and what I would wear. Also, I was finishing the homeschool year with the kids and that was a big brain drain.

Folks, the Renaissance is a HUGE time span. We’re talking from 14th c. to the 17th c. I already suffer from decision fatigue, and this presented too many options to allow me to focus. At the same time, the Faire is an event where you can technically wear ANY costume and fit in. Pirate? Historically accurate impression from some period during the era? Fairy? Hobbit? Ultimately, a costuming friend saying “Tudor” this past Wednesday in our costuming group chat clicked for me and I got moving.

Thank you, Past Laura, for making so many historical accessories during the pandemic and ordering all kinds of costuming bits and bobs over the past few years: I already had a pair of shoes from American Duchess, an awesome wool hat, and a handsewn cap and apron. My linen shift/pirate shirt debuted here. Since petticoats are kind of flexible, I was able to wear my old ones, although they gaped open a little at either side at my waist (in the future, I’ll make the waistline bigger so I have more flexibility.)What I didn’t have were supportive undergarments or a jacket. But wait! I made a boned bodice for my daughter several years ago, which she outgrew… and I had grown into. The fit was amazing considering it wasn’t made for me. All I needed was a jacket.

See above, pandemic coping skills: I had the linen and the pattern for my jacket (RH101) sitting in my stash, as well as a book with depictions of what people wore during the Tudor period. The batik lining was probably from Hancock’s of Paducah, the natural canvas is anonymous, and the natural linen is from a shirt I found at Goodwill that I’ve been cutting up for little visible lining bits for historical sewing. I love the beige/gold neutral look of the jacket both inside and out.

I worked whenever I had a spare second from Wednesday till Sunday morning when I had to stop sewing to get ready to leave for the Faire. I’m really proud of the results. I didn’t get a chance to add a front closure, but that is on the list for this week.The best part about this jacket is that it works for several impressions on my costuming bucket list, including Vermeer’s Milkmaid. There are a couple of mods I have planned – like adding the blue lining to the sleeves – that will get it ready for Milkmaid action. I’ve wanted to do the Milkmaid for so long – I have nearly everything else finished for the look, too. I can’t wait to show you.

The jacket would work for a pirate costume and something else that is slipping my mind right now. Plus, I tried it on with a modern dress to figure out a fitting issue and it looked good with that, too, so I might just wear it to wear it.Construction notes: I graded from a size F at the top to an H at the bottom. I ignored the instructions because there were too many of them. I made a quick mock-up with my lining fabric – the only big changes were taking in the jacket sleeves quite a bit, especially in the upper arm, and adding a full inch of width to either side of the front opening. I did trim some of that down later just below the neckline, but most of it I needed just to get the front edges to touch. I also did a little jimmying to get the sleeve head in smoothly, around the upper back of the sleeve.

I added a piece of canvas about an inch and a half wide on both front edges to make the opening hold its shape, especially after I add a hook and eye closure. I would have pad stitched it in, but I didn’t have time. I will only go back and do that if I have to. (Please note, I have a very high bar for “have to.”)

All the visible sewing was by hand, but I sewed the big pattern pieces together by machine. I probably could have gotten away with bag lining it and doing less handwork, but I like the way it looks with all the little stitching details. My only complaint is that it felt like the back was a little short-waisted. I’m not sure if that’s really true, and it may just be my modern sensibilities.

I read a romance that takes place at a Ren Faire not long ago. I kind of had that as the ideal in my head – a Faire in the forest on paths that meander through the trees. This Faire wasn’t that. But I got to see a sword fight and a joust (sort of; the viewing area was flat and we couldn’t see over the heads of the people in front of us, but there was clashing metal and some shouting in a bad Scottish accent. I got to pet the winner’s horse’s nose after, which was wonderful). There was an abbreviated Shakespeare play, and I met a raven and an owl. I almost passed out from heat stroke after some wonderful live music in direct sunlight. Also, a guy said  “Good day” to me, to which I replied, “Hi,” which made me feel like an idiot.Bonus – no sunburn, because I was covered pretty much head to toe. Since it was all linen, cotton, and wool, I was actually comfortable, physically and also temperature-wise – until we sat in the sun for too long through a couple of performances and started feeling a little woozy.

I want to especially shout out my footwear: I was wearing lightweight cotton stockings I got from Etsy, and the aforementioned American Duchess 17th c. shoes. I got the mens’ shoes, can’t remember why but they were probably on sale and the right color. I had tried them on initially and the toe box was so snug, I considered returning them. I don’t remember why I decided to keep them. I put them on the morning of the Faire never having worn them anywhere. I didn’t take them off again for five hours and my feet were fine all day. They aren’t sneakers, but they were very comfortable, and I didn’t get any blisters.

My favorite part of the Faire, besides the music, was wandering around through the stalls and dipping under the trees when we could and just walking and talking. Being out in costume again with a friend was the best.