Getting ready for a medieval festival with kids I was looking for various inspirations of what to make and what to wear. I knew that apart from the dresses I want a head piece, because it will certainly add a lot to the overall look. Looking through various You Tube videos I finally found what I wanted to create. 🙂
First I watched this video, that was actually very amusing to listen as I learned a lot from it! Then I found this video which shows three different styles of head wraps that could be used. I really loved though the wrap the lady was wearing in the first video. I could go and buy the pattern, but when I saw how simple it looks (in the second video) I thought I surely can make it myself! So I started exploring the shape... 🙂
I measured roughly how long and how wide I want the front piece to be, then I measured roughly how long and how wide the back triangle should be and cut my first sample. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures, but it was a bit of a disaster! The simple head wrap turned out to be not so simple! I kind of guessed the measurements for the front rectangle, but my back triangle was too short. Thinking I am smart enough and trying to upgrade from the simplicity to a "more advanced" connection of the two pieces, I really created something ugly. lol I am not giving up though! Here comes the first attempt.
I unpicked the seam and separated the two parts again. I don't like to waste any fabric, so I decided to upgrade the back triangle into another head wrap - the kerchief style. And cut new fabric for a new triangle for my wrap.
First I measured what I need to correct. As I am a great fan of zero waste patterns I started thinking on the way how to cut two triangles zero waste style and decided to mark them and cut out of a rectangle of fabric. One triangle I drafted in full and another one I split in half and drafted on the sides of the first one upside down. You will understand what I mean when you see the picture below!
Now I thought what if I could have created the whole wrap zero waste?.. And I did! 🙂 I mean, I did not cut another wrap for myself zero waste as I already used the fabric, but I drafted a ZERO WASTE pattern for you to use if you ever need to make a medieval costume and decide, like me, to add a finishing touch with a head piece. 🙂
So here is the final fabric layout I came up with.
My head wrap still needs to be finished though! I connected all pieces together and it sit perfectly this time! The only thing I decided to add is two small buttons and button loops to hold the front part in place nicely. You can view how to create old fashioned thread and needle button holes on my You Tube channel here.
This is certainly not the most common wardrobe item one might decide to create. But it was still a lot of fun to come up with a zero waste pattern for it. 🙂
I promise to update this post as soon as all the costumes are ready to show you the photographs! 🙂 Please let me know in comments if you liked this article or found it useful! 🙂
UPDATE: I wore this head wrap for the first day of the mediaval festival at Kryal Castle this week. I have to say it is rather comfortable! After a while you kind of forget that you have something on your head and just get used to it. The only problem I had is I had to tighten it now and again. You don't really have to as it was not falling of, I just like a really snug feeling of it around my head. 🙂 Pictures of the full outfit are below! 🙂 Do you like it?
