Faire Ladies, Faire Lords

Quality, American-Made Renaissance Costumes

renfaire

On Quality; or, please don’t buy cheap imported costumes

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I saw such a sad thing online the other day. A woman had found this super cute top by a popular costume shop being advertised on a renfaire based group. The price was low, she bought two. She was so disappointed, she got cheap goods. Didn’t fit, flimsy, poorly made in India. I was disappointed for her. So, I’m going to share my thoughts on quality in renfaire costumes, what to do and how to get it. I’ve been doing this a long time, I think I can share with you and help everybody out.

Back in the stone age when I began in this industry, almost all renfaire or SCA costumes and historical clothing were handmade by independent stitchers or at most a small non-professional hobby group. That started to change in the early 2000’s. By 2009ish, there I was at a Halloween costume manufacturing convention, and there was this guy taking catalogs from folks and handing out his card. He was representing a manufacturer from India and his company wanted to get into the renfaire costume business. Pirates, too. Sure enough within a year or so the cheaply made goods started flooding into the US, from all over. It really changed the market.

It changed the kinds of people who sell costumes too. Now, all you need to set up shop is a good bank account and the ability to get accepted at renfaires that are not particular about promoting art, crafts, and artisans.

black guy tudor era cool hat
This is Bob. He got the good quality outfit that doesn’t fall apart and now has cash for an extra beer. He won’t wear cheap synthetic imports. Be like Bob and have a better life!

How to start?

The implications of this firstly, is that you have to be aware of whom you buy from. Pictures of young cuties with lots of boob showing are not necessarily going to get you something good to wear. Just saying. So, ask where are these made? Do you make them? Be nosy, be curious. A true craftsperson and artist is going to be so happy to talk to you about their favorite thing, you will not regret it. Be sure to ask if its prewashed for shrinkage.

I always advise people who want to dress up and don’t have a lot of cash to get creative and focus on quality. Borrow stuff, ransack the thrift store and find some treasure. Maybe scout around for something second hand from a renfaire online swap and your renfaire friends. You’re going to look and feel so much better than buying a cheapo import. Bonus: recycle reuse remake and you’re making the planet a better place too. Good job mah lil’ sparkle pony!

Natural fibers are important. You are gonna sweat a lot at an outdoor festival. Think long and hard about the implications of wearing a shiny taffeta skirt on uneven ground in 100 degree heat and 80% humidity. Yeah…

This next part is most important to remember. A great festival outfit evolves over time, it does not happen all at once. This means you SHOULD focus on quality, one piece at a time. You won’t have to replace it every few wears if you get the good shirt made of good cotton or linen by a local artisan. Save your nickels for the good stuff, and enjoy yourself along the way. Now you have the cash for an extra beer on your adventure day at the renfaire.

Faire Ladies, Faire LordsIf you like my blog and want to keep in touch, please join my Insider’s Newsletter list by sending me a message. You’ll get neato discounts and coupons straight to your inbox as well as first notice of great things. You can also find me on Facebook.

~ Martina

Faire is opening up!

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Huzzah! Spring is here! Faire is opening up all over the States! My friends and patrons are heading out to Scarborough Faire in Tx, and all through the US too. Myself, I’m going with my mom to Six Flags in Vallejo to check out their Renaissance Days attraction.

So, I must say how awesome it is to be sewing again. I got a commission paid for TODAY with stimulus dollars, and it feels SO GOOD. I’m stitching together chemises, shirts, bodices, all getting ready for my return to Northern California Renaissance Faire in the fall. There are orders placed in my webstore. I feel….. hopeful? Yes!!

So, now that the world of renfaire seems to be getting to its feet and moving in the right direction – lets make a solid plan to Stay In Touch. You and I, we are sharing this experience probably because you purchased items from me during this pandemic. There’s a very strong chance that you initially saw my posts on Faire Relief 2020 page. Well, we need to realize that things are going to change, its inevitable. Which is why I came up with this plan. Let’s grow the newsletter list, get some of your faire friends into our circle of VIPs too.

in the studio assembling chemisesI’m gonna keep writing and hooking you up with the good stuff like discounts, previews, and special events; and what would be great is if YOU referred a friend or four. As an incentive, I’ll give you a $10 coupon for every person you refer that signs up for my newsletter and I’ll give them a 10% discount coupon too. This is a fantastic deal. And, I’m pretty sure your renfaire buddies will thank you for the hookup. Be sure your friend mentions your name so I know who to give credit to. They can click my CONTACT page for the easiest method. I’ll confirm it and boom, done.

Have a fantastic Spring, and I’ll be seeing many of you in person soon! xxoo

Traditional Renaissance Shirt – new listing!

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This Traditional Renaissance Shirt is made in breathable cotton for everyone going to renfaire, SCA, and LARP events. Renaissance swordsman, ruffian pirates, and ye romantic poet; everybody loves this shirt. Its a traditional, classic design, for a reason – because its well made and looks even better. Available in adult sizes Medium through 3x and cut long because I love tall people. I am not kidding, these shirts are amazing for Big Guys.

This handsome cotton renaissance shirt is a favorite for men and women for years! Ladies, you can wear one too – its very comfortable and a great ‘middle class working woman’ kind of style. Just order by chest size using the Mens’s Chart. This shirt is the very basis for your renaissance outfit ~ get two, one for each day you will be at your event.

Made of middle to lightweight and strong breathable 100% cotton. Currently the white is a lighter weight and very breathable, the ivory is a slightly heavier cotton that I think is sturdy. It features a stand collar, tied cuffs, and throat ties. The sleeves are a medium width cut for a better fit with sleeves or bracers. The shirt is pre-washed and shrunk so you can be confident in the fit. And like everything else I produce, it is Made in the USA. Just say NO to sweatshop cheap overseas imports.

My traditional renaissance shirt is easy to care for too – toss it in the washer and dryer. Done. You can bleach as needed too if there is a great ‘turkey leg sauce incident’. Don’t be afraid to use peroxide on that grease stain.. its fine.

Warranty:

If you have questions about the shirt, contact me and I’ll help you out. You can also contact me via my Facebook page. One last thing. I stand behind my work. I will fix the shirt if its defective. If I can’t fix it I will replace it. Seriously, I care about my work and want you to be happy. That’s what I’m here for. 🙂

In stock NOW!

Koroneburg Renaissance Festival in Peril

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Hello friends! It has been a while since I posted. I wish I had a super happy go lucky bit of news for you this time around. I do not, unfortunately. Here’s what is on my mind. My beloved Koroneburg Renaissance Festival is in dire peril.

Faire Ladies Faire Lords shop at Koroneburg

I have been at this renaissance festival since its founding, this event has a large place in my heart. Over the years I and several hundred other participants have planted trees; built buildings, painted fences, over and over putting out 150% effort to make it a success. There is a literacy program based out of this festival. The arts happen here, actually they FLOURISH here. Its been a long road, with so much work and so many changes. New management had come in after the passing of our founder. They revitalized everything. New customers, new opportunities, new and improved. And, in 2019 it seemed that we had finally ‘arrived’.

Sadly, I recently was informed by festival management that Orange County, CA has filed for Eminent Domain rights over the land where my home festival has been for over 25 years. There is a large public works project to increase the size of the Prado Dam and reservoir, and they want our place for easement/flood control. This project has been in the works for years. I am stunned. My heart hurts. I certainly have a lot of strong opinions that I will not put in writing.

Are we for sure dead in the water? mmmm, maybe not. There is a chance the park can be granted an exception to a Vacate Order. It would depend on a lot of factors.

Will we have to scramble to get out right away? Maybe not, because these things take years sometimes. Hopefully information is forthcoming. There are city counsel meetings I’m going to zoom attend to see if I can get information.

I’m not out of business. Fortunately I do more than one show however much I love Koroneburg Renaissance Festival specifically. I’ll be here, plugging along for a good long time. There is the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in early spring each year and also the Northern California Renaissance Faire in the fall. I have my website, and I have you guys. I have the ability to make new plans and dreams, so I will do just that.

lilac half chemise by faire ladies faire lords

New Things: I’m getting more listings in my website Shop. One recent is back by request – this ladies linen hip length chemise. I’ve carried this piece in my booth for many seasons so its past time to get it available to everybody. Coming soon, Mens cotton shirts in two colors. Another item I’ve carried in person that also deserves a broader audience.
 

Until next time with Good News, and I promise to get back to writing more often.

~ Martina, Creative Overlord

Faire Ladies, Faire Lords booth video 2020 Koroneburg Renaissance Festival

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Presenting the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival booth video for my booth Faire Ladies, Faire Lords. Since my home festival is cancelled this year due to pandemic, we the participants and management set out to create a virtual Koroneburg Renaissance Festival on the Koroneburg website.

My husband and I put this together over a few weeks, and rushed it off to a lovely volunteer for finishing and turning it into a film (thank you Sabrina Kelly) so it would be ready for what would have been Opening Weekend. It debuted on Memorial Day 2020.

I hope you enjoy this.

As it shows in the video, I have been participating in the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival for over 25 years. Its been a big challenge at times to make this festival the best it can be. I feel that we are finally ‘arrived’ the event can flourish. A large piece of my heart lives in this festival. I’m looking forward to getting back there and picking up where we left off.

I’m working online for the time being and hope to have many visits to my blog and facebook pages. OOfaa!

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