The Armour Archive

So I would like to get a quick livery tabard done up before my next event, (Equine Demo April 6th) And I don't have a lot of money. So I know my options are few.

I am thinking on making a Burgundian Livery Tabard (Parti colored blue and white with a red X over it.
Something like this:



But since my sewing skills are found wanting, I was wondering if any of you thought I might be able to fashion it out of this:

[img]http://www.renstore.com/mmRENSTORE/Images/chi3010red.jpg[/img]
From the renstore, only $25.


Do you think it is doable, or would it look like crap?

Thoughts?

Matt

It's a paltot in the Burgundian French.

I suppose if it just a display and "fidelity, accuracy, flavored coin word of the month" is not as high, it would probably do in a pinch.

Ours is basically 4 pieces of colored wool for the parti and a linen lining. With a red wool X overall. Simple straight lines and open on the sides. We belt them in.

Ours are blue and white wool with yellow borders per the Ordinances. I'm making a more high tone one for Bob since he's our Chef de Chambre.

What kind of equestrian demo out of curiosity?

I would vote against the Renstore. I bought a similar kid's tabbard from them years ago, and was disappointed. It was just a rectangular piece of polyblend cloth (probably $4 in material) with a hole in the center. It looks okay with it belted but certainly not worth the $18 I spent on it + shipping (I think it was like $12!). And if it's a hot day, that poly material will drench you in sweat.
I guess I don't have so much a problem with the fact that it's a square (I sort of expected that). It was the cheap cloth they used.
I'd also bought a similar tabard on ebay and it was large enough to cover a kitchen dinette set. Once again. Not a happy camper with a purchase.

Eventually, I made a couple of 14th century surcoats using 15th century doublet patterns, and just extended the skirt length to mid calf. The pieces are very shaped, and they help define the body better, but still give a bit of a tubular look when worn. You're also not relying on a belt to give you shape. They aren't really any harder or easier then a rectangle to sew. It's just tweaking the dimensions.

If all you want is a square tabbard, I'm sure someone here can do it for you in a decent fabric, colors you want and to your size.
-Cian

This is one I made to fit over a plackard with faulds. I need to take it in at the waist and hips now that I have a globose breastplate:

Fire Stryker wrote:It's a paltot in the Burgundian French.

I suppose if it just a display and "fidelity, accuracy, flavored coin word of the month" is not as high, it would probably do in a pinch.

Ours is basically 4 pieces of colored wool for the parti and a linen lining. With a red wool X overall. Simple straight lines and open on the sides. We belt them in.

Ours are blue and white wool with yellow borders per the Ordinances. I'm making a more high tone one for Bob since he's our Chef de Chambre.

What kind of equestrian demo out of curiosity?

Thanks for both of your responeses!

It's an SCA Equestrian Demo in Gray Maine, there are a number of us horse owners up here who have been trying to get the SCA Equestrian Games going up here. I am going to be "squiring" and possibly riding.

My plan for the future, is to get a real nice one done up, use that over my doublet for summer events ('cause its gots no sleeves! ) and get this:
[img]http://www.deborahloughcostumes.com/images/Img_0392a.bmp[/img]

for colder times of the year.

I know one is Burgunian and one is WOR Yorkist... but I just like both locals so much that I figured it would be ok to split the difference!

Stryker, one of these days I am going to make it down to the Higgins Museum to see one of your groups demos.

Matt

Cian of Storvik wrote:I would vote against the Renstore. I bought a similar kid's tabbard from them years ago, and was disappointed. It was just a rectangular piece of polyblend cloth (probably $4 in material) with a hole in the center. It looks okay with it belted but certainly not worth the $18 I spent on it + shipping (I think it was like $12!). And if it's a hot day, that poly material will drench you in sweat.
I guess I don't have so much a problem with the fact that it's a square (I sort of expected that). It was the cheap cloth they used.
I'd also bought a similar tabard on ebay and it was large enough to cover a kitchen dinette set. Once again. Not a happy camper with a purchase.

Eventually, I made a couple of 14th century surcoats using 15th century doublet patterns, and just extended the skirt length to mid calf. The pieces are very shaped, and they help define the body better, but still give a bit of a tubular look when worn. You're also not relying on a belt to give you shape. They aren't really any harder or easier then a rectangle to sew. It's just tweaking the dimensions.

If all you want is a square tabbard, I'm sure someone here can do it for you in a decent fabric, colors you want and to your size.
-Cian

This is one I made to fit over a plackard with faulds. I need to take it in at the waist and hips now that I have a globose breastplate:

I would talk to someone about doing it, but I need it by April 6th... next weekend! so thats why I am resorting to a place like renstore.

I'm curious about liveries being tabards as in having opened sides as opposed to being like a coat or what not. All the images I have seen from period show sew sides of some sort.

I'd go with something like this [img]http://www.medievalproductions.nl/compagnie_de_ordonnance/pictures/varlet.jpg[/img]
Or like the many other similar ones in 15th century manuscripts. If you want badges on them go and get some felt with sticky stuff on the back cut out whatever it is and stick it on there.

The paltots should be cut like a doublet body, or be hour-glassy, but not straight sided. I have seen the open-sided, belted images someplace, but cannot put my finger on it at the moment- likely, these would have laced on the side anyway.


I should have a very excellent source, regarding the Burgundians and details of procurement very shortly, but don't want to jinx it until it arrives.

I have a little written on liveries on my website and on Grey's:

http://www.replications.com/greys/Stand ... Livery.htm

http://www.replications.com/greys/Stand ... Livery.htm

I used a slightly upsized doublet pattern as Chef and Peder suggest.