How to Make a Twelfth Century European Costume

A simple twelfth century European costume can be made with basic sewing knowledge and a little patience. The fabrics used in the twelfth century were silk, brocades, buckram, chainsil, scarlet and surge. A twelfth century European costume consists of few components and can be made in a couple of hours. Read on to learn how to make a twelfth century European costume.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pair of old pants

Make a Dress

1. Take measurements of the person who is going to wear the twelfth century costume. Measure from the back of the neck to the floor, from shoulder to the wrist, around the top of the arm, and from shoulder to shoulder.

2. Make a pattern using the measurements. Create the length of the dress using the neck-to-floor measurement. Use the shoulder measurement to draw a line for the width of the top of the dress. Draw the sides of the dress straight to the waist from the shoulders and then the veer out at a 45-degree angle from the waist to the floor. The sleeves must be fitted at the top and bell out from the elbow to the wrist.

3. Cut the fabric according to your pattern. The sleeves need to be cut separately from the body of the dress.

4. Sew the body of the costume. Leave the arm holes and neck hole open.

5. Attach the sleeves to the body of the dress.

6. Cut three inches down the center front of the dress and hem the edge for a twelfth century neckline.

7. Add trim or ribbon around end of the arms, neckline and bottom of the now-European dress.

Make a Man's Tunic

8. Measure the person for the twelfth century European costume. Take the same measurements you did before making the dress.

9. Make a pattern for the tunic. A basic tunic looks like a long pull-over shirt. A man's tunic must end at or just below the knee. The neckline on these tunic is a basic scoop neck.

10. Cut the fabric out to match the pattern.

11. Make the body of the tunic by sewing the sides together. Leave the arm holes open.

12. Sew the sleeves onto the tunic.

13. Apply the trim around the neckline, sleeves and the bottom of the tunic.

Make Twelfth Century Pants

14. Cut the old pair of pants along all of the seams. This now becomes your pattern.

15. Set the old pants on top of the fabric. Cut the fabric using the old pants as your pattern. The pant need to fit tightly.

16. Sew the fabric together at the sides and inner seams to make the costume pants.

17. Attach elastic or belt loops around the waist to hold up the pants.

Resources

• Classbrain.com for Costume-Making Tips