ALL THE PATTERNS!

So, I've been working pretty diligently the past couple weeks.  So much so, in fact, that I haven't had time to post anything new.  I've been working up a few new patterns that I am going to try out in the next week or two and I thought I'd share them.  They have my customer's measurements written in (and various other notes I wrote myself), but could easily be modified for other shapes and sizes.

The first is a 2 gore apron dress.  I made a couple for a customer and, while it was relatively easy, I think I like more flounce in the skirts.  The bonus of the 2 gore apron dress is that it only takes 2 yards of 60" wide material.

The second is a 4 gore apron dress.  This one calls for loops or rings at the sides to gather the dress around the body, which gives it a more fitted (and IMHO flattering) look.  It takes a half yard more fabric, but is well worth it.  The added volume in the skirts and tighter fitting bodice really look so much nicer.  The rings are a PITA, but I'd rather do a bit more work and have my customers go "WOW!"  

The next pattern is a 2 gored Bocksten tunic.  I worked it up because I have several customers who want cotton Bocksten tunics (hence why it's based on 45" wide fabric).  While I have nothing against Bockstens (in fact, I think they look really nice), I needed a less time consuming alternative that gave the same look as a traditional Bocksten.  This gives the customers the look they want for the price they want without me having to pay myself next to nothing per hour to do it.  If a customer wants a traditional Bocksten, then they'll need to pay for a linen one - it's the only way it makes economical sense for me to make it for them.  I've also included a pattern for this based on 60" fabric.  

This next pattern, I'm really proud of.  A customer told me he wanted a shirt like Legolas wears in LOTR.  I found a bunch of stills from the movies, checked out a couple sites that had already explored re-creating the costuming from the films, and worked at recreating it in a way that was both appropriate for what my customer wanted it for and would work with the materials I planned to use (the real deal has hand etched leather and all sorts of detail that 1) I don't want to do and 2) my customer doesn't want to pay for).  So, it turned out to be a modified doublet/surcoat.  I'm setting down to sew this project this weekend and will post pics/commentary afterwards.  (I was looking at this this afternoon thinking that I may need to modify the sleeves... so if I do I'll make a note of it when the project is done.)

I have also had a recent request for a hooded mantle and found a couple really good tutorials and patterns online.  I applied those ideas to what my client wants and figured out how it would lay best on my 60" linen  (I wasn't sure just how much material I would need).  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. =)

Finally (and man am I looking forward to trying this one out - also a "this weekend" project), I had a request for a Mongolian style wrap coat.  A customer wanted something that would be considered a surcoat for the purposes of her Dagorhir unit, but wanted something that would be a bit more flattering to her figure than a normal surcoat or tabard (i.e. something that would make her look like a girl on the field).  I found a site that had a decent historically accurate pattern and tweaked it from there so it laid out nicely on my 60" linen and added in a couple more gores for her (she likes flounce).  I've included the directions I worked up for myself (pardon the crappy handwriting), which may be helpful in understanding the pattern (it's a bit INTENSE!). I think it will end up very nice (will post pics).

So, that's what I'm working on.  I hope you enjoy the patterns.  I hope it saves some people some time when they set out to start a new project.  Comments/constructive criticism is always welcome.  =)