Hobbit Female Costume

Female hobbit costume, Custom made for you! Includes lace up in back, two-tone, bodice with metal grommets [Or hand sewn eyelets upon request which will up the cost], a gathered, button closure at waistband, two layered skirt. [Under dress/under shirts not included, but can be ordered separately.]

Estimated cost: $90.00

Please contact me for details and ordering! Kerry.bond88@yahoo.com 

Early 1700's Gentleman's Breeches - linen

There are not many examples easily found of early 1700's breeches. Mainly because of the fact that all images show them worn with the waistcoats of the day, which are nearly as long as the breeches of the time and completely hide those garments! The sleeveless and sleeved waistcoats of that time were just above the knee and were always worn, as it would be inappropriate for a man to go without a waistcoat. {scandalous}

We do know that pre-Rev war, the men's breeches were a French Fly front closure. This is actually more like a modern pant construction than the Drop Front closure of later in the century.

The pockets were fun to do on this pattern! The instructions seemed bizarre, but I just kept following step by step, and it was like magic! Such fun! 

The images below are of a pair of breeches I just finished this week! This heavy chocolate brown linen was fabulous to work with. It along with these beautiful German Silver domed/rimmed buttons are from Wm. Booth Draper. They are a fantastic supplier for all your historical costuming needs!

I used this pattern found on Etsy to make these breeches. I was fairly happy with the pattern, but the directions where a little off. I had to take the project to my historic sewing mentor to figure out several steps, and we kind of re-worded things to make more sense and re-worked parts to make it work properly. Also, most of the steps were using modern construction; so some things were changed to retain a closer authenticity. 

Let me know what you think!! 

Thanks for reading - Kerry

Angela the Herbalist - Inheritance Costume Profile (NOT like Angela in the Movie!!!)

Some friends and I planned a birthday party for Christopher Paolini's 30th birthday, on November 17th, 2013. I came to the event dressed as my favorite character; Angela the Herbalist 

[Some minor spoilers ahead if you haven't finished the series yet]

This was a super fun character in the books and I had such a great time designing this costume and recreating her from the awesome descriptions in the story that Paolini penned. 

This costume is layered with some hand made aspects [ie, pieces I made just for this costume], and some store bought [ie, stuff I already had in my closet]. 

Handmade: Emerald green hooded cloak, green/burgundy over skirt [w/ hidden pockets], hip bag/knitting pouch, hanging belt details [bottles/rocks/skulls/beads/mushrooms/frog stools/daggers/darts/etc] 

Since I am a Certified Herbalist, and celebrated my first year as a practicing herbalist this same November, I always felt a particular connection to Angela. 

This lady is not at all what she seems; from the many hidden weapons sneaking out of the folds of her skirts to her age beyond her appearance, from her serious knitting skills to her stealth with a blade. Angela is full of surprises. 

During the party, we had time under the Minoa tree where we shared some kind of art that everyone created. For my 'show-and-tell' I knit a hat, based on a vauge descirption of a hat that Angela is knitting in the final book during a scene where she speaks to Eragon in a stair well. [why is she knitting in a stairwell, you ask? It's a story for another time.] 

The line in the book simply states that she was knitting a blue and white hat with these runes across it: RAXACORI. When Eragon asks her about what the runes mean, she brushes him off, as usual, saying that it would take her too long to explain so he would understand. 

A little detail on some of the props for this costume.

Angela carries a poniard, a short pointy sword [or long dagger], which she uses under Dras Leona when Eragon loses Brisinger and she gives him her main sword, Tinkledeath. A dagger the color of a ruddy sun set. Green and yellow darts. And some glass vials that release a green vapor which chokes the enemy and they fall to the ground with little mushrooms sprouting up on all exposed skin. :shutter: Don't mess with this girl. 

I tried creating the little daggers by just cutting out some cardboard and wrapping the cut outs in masking tape. Then I used chrome spray paint to get the sliver metal look of steel. 

Added acrylic paint decorations and handle, and wrapped some sliver wire around it for more interest.

Angela protecting little Elva.

Don't bother me; I'm knitting. 

Just kidding. Thanks for stopping by! 

Kerry - aka, Angela