How to Make Medieval Queen Costumes

The beauty and grace of the early Middle Ages is captured in a simple gown that can be re-created by a person with minimal sewing skills. Characterized by long, sweeping skirts and angel-wing sleeves, this design can also be used to for Christmas pageants and fairy godmothers. No pattern is required, just a few measurements, chalk and a yardstick, making this project perfect for beginners or busy people who need costumes in a hurry.

Things You'll Need

• 4 yards of fabric, 60 inches in width
• Measuring tape
• Chalk
• Yardstick
• Scissors
• String
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• 1 yard matching 1/2-inch seam binding
• 6 yards of decorative cord

Instructions

1. Fold the fabric into half, wrong side out, creating a 2-yard-by-60-inch rectangle.

2. Instruct the person wearing the costume to stretch her arms out side to her side. Measure from the center of one hand to the center of the other. Mark this distance on the folded edge of the fabric in chalk,

3. Measure 1 foot from the fold down the edges of the fabric and make a point on both sides of the rectangle. Draw a line in chalk joining the two points.

4. Measure the body at the largest point and add 4 inches. Divide this number in half. Center this measurement on the chalk line drawn on the fabric, marking the end points clearly.

5. Draw lines from the corners of the cut ends of the fabric to the points on the line.

6. Measure 4 inches above the same corners along the sides of the fabric. From these points draw lines to the same point, creating two long skinny triangles.

7. Draw lines cutting about 2 inches off the top tips of those triangles.

8. Draw 1/2 of an oval 1 foot long by 2 inches deep in the dead center of the fold, creating a neckline.

9. Cut out the blunted triangle shapes and the neckline.

10. Tie one end of the string around the chalk. Cut the string to the length of the fabric from the inside blunted point of the triangle to the hem. Hold the chalk and string like a compass and draw a rounded line from the hem to the side. Repeat on the other side.

11. Cut off that section, creating a curved hemline.

12. Sew up the side seams and down the sleeve seams with a 1/2-inch seam.

13. Turn the gown right side out.

14. Fold the hem up toward the inside of the gown by 1/2 inch and fold it again another 1/2 inch. Topstitch all around. Repeat this process on each of the sleeves.

15. Fold the seam binding around the neckline and topstich it closed, folding the end over by 1/4 inch for a finished joint.

16. Cut the decorative cord in three equal pieces and add a decorative knot to the end of each. Loosely twist them together and tie it around the waist as a belt.

References

• "The Evolution of Fashion"; Margot Hamilton Hill and Peter A. Bucknell; 1967
• "A History of Costume"; Carl Kohler; 1963
• The Costumer's Manifesto